Those who contemplate the beauty of earth find a reserve of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.

About one third of the space in landfills is taken up with organic waste from our yards and kitchens, perfect material for composting. Composting is the natural cycle of plants, both living and dying, breaking down to pass their nutrients to other plants. This process occurs in every forest, jungle, grassland and garden- plants die, fall to the ground and decay. They are slowly broken down by microorganisms living in the soil. Compost provides texture, fertility, aeration and structure, as well as improving the soil's water- holding capacity.

Think of compost as the soil's diet.
There are four basic ingredients in a compost pile: carbon (organic matter such as leaves), nitrogen (fertilizer which comes from grass trimmings and other green plants and provides energy needed by the microorganisms to break down the carbon), water, and air.

Compost should be treated like cooking- the recipe is crucial. The wet (green) and dry (brown) materials should always de added in alternating layers, each layer lightly covered with a thin layer of dirt which provides additional microorganisms, and as the layers decompose they are turned with a tool such as a pitchfork. The process is expedited by chopping up the materials. As the decomposition process occurs, the pile will shrink eventually turning into a uniform, dark brown crumbly product with an earthy pleasant odor called "humus" by some, "brown gold" by others and "compost" by most. Generally, this useable product can be obtained in 2-3 months however aging it further is recommended. In turn, the more human intervention, the quicker the results. An ideal ratio is 2/3 brown to 1/3 green. Common green items are grass and garden trimmings, food scraps, coffee grinds, tea bags and egg shells. Brown materials are fall leaves, twigs, straw, newspaper and everything in your garden after the frost. Too much carbon will slow down the process and too much nitrogen can cause odors A common mistake in composting is not maintaining the proper moisture level. A 40-60% moisture level is ideal. If you cannot grab a handful and wring out at least a little water, it\'s too dry. Materials too large should be left out as should meat trimmings, dairy scraps and anything with a high grease or oil content- these can cause odor problems and attract unwanted pests. Some other unsuitable products are ashes from charcoal (wood ashes are okay-spread out they add phosphorus, a key ingredient in fertilizer) diseased plants, fish scraps, and bones. Carnivorous animal droppings should not be used but manure from farm animals is quite desired, however only after it ages. Certain plants are to be avoided- poison ivy, poison oak, sumac, magnolia, eucalyptus, black walnut and pine needles.

Home composting can be done using various methods, from simply throwing everything on a pile and monitoring it, to using a manufactured bin, to building a bin. Most manufactured bins are plastic or wood. Wood is preferred because it is more absorbent and a better insulator. Whether you buy or build, the best containers have plenty of slats both for aeration and for the bugs and worms- they provide an important service by aiding the decomposition process.

The site of the pile is important- it should be in a well-drained, shaded area with easy access in all seasons. Spring is the ideal season to begin, as there is an abundance of materials. In summer and autumn the pile is working at its peak getting so warm it actually gives off steam, while in winter, the process slows down. For effective results during colder weather, turning isn\'t necessary however you will want to insulate with hay or something similar.

The finished product is spread evenly over or worked into the lawn or garden soil.

If you are interested in purchasing a composting unit go to www.composters.com

Back to the Top