Last week I wrote about recycling, that super-star of sustainability everyone knows (and hopefully loves). This week, recycling’s slightly shyer cousin gets a chance in the spotlight.
Everyone, say hello to composting.
That may be a wee bit dramatic. You’re probably already familiar with composting. But do you compost? If not, what’s holding you back? If it’s because you’re not sure how to or where to start, I have just the post for you.
When you compost, you allow your yard, garden, and food waste to decompose and form a nutrient-dense humus (not to be confused with hummus, the yummy chickpea spread) that plants love. Theoretically, it’s pretty simple: about 99% of your time is spent waiting for things to decompose. The other 1%, though, requires a little extra action.
There are many different ways to compost, and the key is to find the one that fits best into your lifestyle and needs.
Ways to Compost
The three main ways to compost vary mostly based on the amount of labor or money you have to put in at the start versus the amount of labor required as time goes on.
- The Pile
Image courtesy Flickr
The compost pile is the simplest of the composting methods to start. The name speaks for itself: you put the materials you want to compost in a pile. (This pile should reach about a cubic yard or meter to compost most effectively.) All it requires is having an area for a pile, or maybe even setting up a chicken wire enclosure (this helps with aeration). Potential problems with the method come with the maintenance. When it comes time to turn the pile, the process requires physical labor and scooping and shoveling. There’s also a greater potential for pests to get into your compost pile.
- The Bin
The bin is the happy medium of composting. While slightly more sophisticated than a simple open pile, it’s really the same principle: you toss the stuff in and mix it around every now and then. Many bins are designed so that aerating the compost is a little easier than it is with a pile. They’re also more secure against pests, and often have lids to keep curious critters out. They do require more of an upfront investment, however: you can either purchase a bin or break the tools out and build one yourself.
- The Tumbler
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The tumbler (or tumbling composter, or tumbling compost bin) brings high tech to decomposition. Mostly, it’s designed to make the long-term composting process easier for you. These bins often rotate on an axis, making turning and mixing your compost a cinch. You just spin the barrel, and done! And like the stationary bin, it comes with the added benefit of pest-protection. The only downside is the initial cost: tumbling composters are some of the most expensive on the market. You also have the option of building your own, with a little ingenuity and some power tools. (For the record, this is the system I’m working with my family to start—they prefer a bigger project in the beginning so that the long-term maintenance is minimal.)
Composting Essentials
No matter which of the above composting methods you choose, here are some essential composting tips, tricks, and must-dos for every pile.
- What to compost, what not to compost
- Compost: Dead leaves, garden trimmings, straw, hay, fruit and vegetable peelings and scraps, coffee grounds, tea leaves, shredded paper products (napkins, newspaper), manure from herbivores (chickens, rabbits, horses, cows, etc.), egg shells, human or animal hair, woodchips.
- DO NOT Compost: meat, bones, fish scraps, dairy products, fats, oils, greases, omnivore/carnivore feces, weeds that have gone to seed, diseased plants, large branches, charcoal ash, inorganic matter
- Think twice before composting: fruit peels that have pesticides, breads and grains (take much longer to decompose, may slow down process and cause pile to smell.
- Balance your ingredients
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It’s important to balance your carbon rich (green) ingredients with your nitrogen rich (brown) ingredients. (Not all carbon rich ingredients are green or nitrogen rich ingredients brown, it’s just an easy way to distinguish between the two.) A good ratio of brown to green is anywhere from 1:3 to 1:1. You should never have more green than brown ingredients, or else the pile won’t decompose properly (and it may smell).
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- Greens (nitrogen): kitchen scraps, fruit and veggie peels, fresh grass clippings or cut plants, seaweed and kelp, chicken manure, coffee grounds, tea leaves.
- Browns (carbon): dead leaves, dried grass clippings, straw or hay, pine needles, wood ash, shredded paper products, corn cobs and stalks, wood shavings, dryer lint.
Make sure to layer your green and browns (especially if you’re doing a pile) so that they mingle as they decompose, and always cover a layer of greens with browns (this will help with aeration and also keep your compost from smelling and attracting pests).
- Keep it aerated
It is essential to keep your compost aerated: this is where all the turning, mixing, and stirring comes in. This helps to keep oxygen in your pile, which aids aerobic decomposition. If your pile is lacking oxygen, it will cause anaerobic decomposition—not necessarily bad, but it decomposes much slower, and causes your compost pile to take on a stinky, sour smell. Along with turning, having enough brown materials also helps with compost aeration. Depending on how quickly you want your compost to be done, you should turn your pile between weekly to monthly. (The more turning, the sooner you’ll have compost.)
- Keep it moist
It is important that your compost does not dry out! Water helps the beneficial microorganisms to decompose the pile. Depending on your climate and whether you’re using an open pile or closed bin, you may need to water your compost whenever you add a new layer. Your pile should be as damp as a rung-out sponge.
- Keep it warm
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Warm compost decomposes faster, so if you can, pick a sunny spot for your compost. If you’re using a bin, this can act as insulation, and you may even want to paint your bin black to absorb more heat. If your pile is steaming, that’s a great sign!
- Keep it moving
Once you have a pile established, when you add new materials (green or brown), be sure to mix them in. The most decomposition will be happening in the center of your pile, so if you can get the new materials where the action is, they’ll decompose faster and be ready along with the rest of your beautiful compost when you finally spread it on your garden.
For more information on composting, check out this link: http://www.backyardboss.net/benefits-of-composting/.
Additionally, you can check out: “How to Start and Use a Compost Bin.”
You might also like to check out this article entitled “Worm Composting: Everything You Need to Get Started.”
And here’s another article on “Composting with Coffee Grounds – the Ultimate Guide.”
Happy decomposing!
By Jessica Edington