In This Section: What is Composting? Why Compost? What can I Compost? Elements of a Good Compost Pile How to Compost Using Finished Compost

What is Composting?

Composting is Nature's way of recycling and is one of the best and easiest things you can do to reduce waste and grow healthy and sustainable garden or houseplants. Under controlled conditions, organic material decomposes and is transformed by critters in the soil such as bacteria, insects, earthworms and fungi that recycle nitrogen, potash, phosphorus, and other plant nutrients into humus.

Why Compost?

• Save Time And Money in reduced soil and fertilizer purchases while decreasing local disposal costs. By composting, you won’t have to bag and drag yard waste to the curb for collection!

• It’s good for the environment. Often, organic material decomposes without air in landfills producing methane, a gas that contributes to global climate change. In addition, food waste contains over 50% water, which is released during decomposition. In the landfill, rainwater collects contaminants when it comes into contact with garbage. This liquid, known as leachate, could pollute neighboring ground water, lakes, and rivers. By composting your organic materials, you are helping to reduce greenhouse gases, preserve water quality and conserve landfill space!

• Enrich The Soil. Compost reduces erosion by improving soil structure and adds essential nutrients to the soil, helping to grow trouble-free plants with less water, fertilizer or pesticides. Plants love compost!

• Learn And Have Fun! Children and adults develop a fascination with their compost piles. The complete recycler composts food and yard wastes!

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What can I Compost? Elements of a Good Compost Pile

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How to Compost

Composting at home is easy and can be done indoors and outdoors. All you need is a bin, organic waste, air, moisture, and a shovel or other turning tool!

• Mix and layer brown and green materials, keep it damp and aerated. For faster decomposition:
• Chop materials into small pieces.
• Aerate the pile frequently.
• Add more greens – specifically fresh grass clippings.
• The more frequently you mix the pile, the faster the pile will turn to compost. If you mix the pile once a week, the compost should be ready in one to two months. If you don’t turn it, it will be ready in six to twelve months. A lack of oxygen will slow down the composting process and cause odors, so make sure to turn, fluff and poke your pile. In terms of moisture, the pile should be as damp as a wrung-out sponge, but not dripping wet. Leaves should be damp when added. Keep a cover on to retain moisture in hot weather.

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Using Finished Compost

Composted materials are ready to use when it looks like rich, brown soil. Try to harvest your compost in the late summer or fall to make room for new leaves.

• Potting Soil: To make potting soil, mix equal parts of compost, sand and loam. Remove large particles and return to pile.
• Soil Amendment: Apply ½-3” of finished compost and mix with the top 4” of soil one month before planting.
• Lawn Top-Dressing: Spread it ¼” deep over the entire lawn to reseed and rejuvenate turf.
• Moisture-Holding Mulch: Apply 2-3” around garden plants, shrubs and trees.
• Compost Tea: Steep a shovel full of compost in a 5-gallon bucket for a few days to pour on plants. Use more water or less compost if watering seedlings.
  

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