Composting: the rotten truth
Composting Composting is the transformation of organic material (plant matter) through decomposition into a soil-like material called compost or Humus. Invertebrates (insects and earthworms), and microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) help in this transformation.
Why do it Environmentally responsible Keeps biodegradable waste out of landfills and sewage plants Alternative to burning Gives you a vibrant garden without chemical fertilizers Saves money Learning tool
What it involves Adding ingredients Maintaining proper temperature Turning Maintaining moisture Harvesting
Bin composting backyard composting
Compost bin types There is a great deal of variety in composting structures Compost bins vary in their cost, required labor, volume, and time required for finished compost
Ready made Holding or Tumbler Expensive Limited capacity Good if space is an issue
Holding units Helps keep decomposing materials organized Reduces pest problems Requires no turning Relatively slow rate of decomposition (6 months to 2 years)
Turning Bins Three bins are best One to fill One that s cooking One to turn others into or to draw from
Turning units Allow for easier mixing of materials Result in a hotter pile and reduced composting time (as soon as 2-32 3 weeks) Usually more expensive and more labor intensive Three- chambered bin Barrel or drum composter
Bin-less pile Just a pile with no partitions Hard to maintain sufficient depth to achieve high enough temperatures Easy and nothing to build Moveable
Open piles Slowest rate of decomposition Least expensive method Minimal pest control and containment
Vermicomposting Environment friendly. Bare in mind that using earthworms for composting is very beneficial, as they only feed on organic materials that are ecological. this process also helps in minimizing garbage disposals. Worm composting does not have a need for imported inputs, since red worms and various worm feeds (like grasses, used papers, farm wastes such as animal manure, etc.) are now made available in several markets today. worm composting process can eventually lead you to a money-making venture. You can sell both the worms and its castings, and you ll definitely have a ready market available.
Vermicomposting Method of composting kitchen scraps and other organic material Materials are placed in an aerated container with redworms Redworms are able to digest 2/3 their body weight in a day Worm bins can be made out of any material that holes can be drilled into
What you can compost Yard waste Kitchen scraps Newspaper Cardboard
Browns (Carbon) Greens (Nitrogen) Leaves, twigs, woody plant parts Straw, hay Sawdust, wood chips (clean wood) Shredded paper, newspaper, cardboard Non-recyclable paper goods Paper towels, napkins Paper plates & cups not coated with plastic Soiled cardboard (pizza boxes, ice cream cardboard tubs) Old mulch & potting soil 100% cotton, linen & wool fabrics (cut in small pieces) Grass clippings, garden plants Indoor plants, cut flowers Weeds (without seeds) Food Scraps Fruit & vegetable trimmings & peels Coffee grounds & filters, tea bags Breads & other bakery goods Rice & other grains Pasta & cereals Egg shells Farm animal manure Vegetarian pet cage waste (hamster, guinea pig, rabbit)
Best not to compost at home: Diseased plants or plants infested by insects Weeds that spread by root or runner or weeds with seeds Painted or treated wood Dairy products (cheese, yogurt, etc.) Meats Bones and shells Cooking oils, fat or grease Dog and cat pet waste Compostable plastics Vacuum cleaner bags
C:N ratio Should be 30 parts carbon to 1 part nitrogen by weight Grass Clippings 19:1 Leaves 40:1 Equal weight of each would give you approximately 30:1 ratio for pile
Compost bin size For fast efficient composting your bin needs to be Large enough to hold heat and moisture Small enough to admit air through the center Rule of thumb A compost pile need to be at least 3ft. by 3ft. by 3ft. Upper limits are about 5ft. by 5ft. by any length
Building your Compost pile: Brown material Green material Brown material Start with bottom layer of brown material. Alternate green and brown materials. Finish with cover layer of brown material. Add water until pile is as wet as a wrung out sponge Green material Bottom layer (brown material)
Care of compost Passive Active Let sit Takes months and months Turn often Keep moist (H 2 O 40-60% of weight) Have proper ratio of C:N (30:1) 2-6 weeks (depending on ingredients)
Let s get real Concerns I don t have room It takes too long It smells Temps too low to kill diseases, fungi, weed seeds Attracts animals Solutions Use commercial bin Maintain proper conditions Cut up large pieces Not if you maintain C:N ratio Use local community composting facility for problem pieces, compost the rest Bury food waste in center
Uses Early stages as mulch Keeps weeds from growing Helps retain moisture Beneficial minerals go into soil Later stages for soil amending Enriches soil Helps with moisture retention Removes/reduces need for chemical fertilizers that leach into our ground water
What method is right for me??? How much space do I have? Is it indoor or outdoor or both? What do I want to compost? How much waste do I have a week? How and where do I want to use the compost? How much time can I spend on it a week? What s my ewww! factor? How committed am I to composting?
Finished Compost Avoid using unfinished compost, organic acids may harm plant roots If compost is still hot, smells like ammonia, or you can still identify much of the original organic material it is not ready to use yet
Finished Compost Composting is complete when the pile stays at or near the ambient temperature Finished compost is dark, crumbly, and has an earthy smell The volume of finished compost will have been reduced by 30 to 50 percent
Backyard composters
Resources Purdue Extension office Library Internet
Bin Anaerobic Just do it! composting Tumbler Vermi Pail Sheet