"How to Begin Composting" What is composting? It is the method of using organic material and letting it decay to become rich, reusable humus soil for the garden.
Why compost? It keeps materials out of our landfills and re energizes the soil, giving the plants necessary nutrients to build strong roots and produce more fruit and vegetables. It attracts beneficial organisms and insects like the earthworm that loosen the soil and make it easier for the plants root system to absorb water and other sustaining nutrients.
General Information:
It usually is beneficial to have two or more compost piles working at the same time. Then you will always have one ready to use and the other following right behind. The reason behind this is that some material decomposes at different rates. The general rule is that the woodier, or thicker the plant material the longer it will take to break down into usable soil. For example, leafy material like lettuce, grass clippings, hay etc.. can decompose as quickly as 10-14 days where wood, thick plant stems can take up to 6 months or more.
How does a compost pile work? Materials are placed in some type of enclosed contained area (compost bin) that allows air and moisture to attract airborne bacteria to begin the decomposition process.
How do you build a compost bin? There are many different ways to build a compost bin. Be creative, you don't have to spend lots of money or time. There are on the market some plastic, portable easy to assemble bins. I found mine at a local home improvement store. Some stores only carry these items as seasonal purchases and come in to the stores between Jan-Mar.
These are my two bins plus an old garbage can to hold the finished products. The pallet bins are for the hard plant materials and the plastic store bought bin is for leafy, faster growing materials. I also, have to cover the pallet bin when the weather is hot and dry.
Some suggested materials to make your own bin, just make sure whatever you use it allows air to flow and can hold at least one cubic yard of material. Make sure the material is moist not too dry. If it is then you will have to water the compost, but don't over water you don't want the material soggy. The container needs a cover if the weather is hot and dry so place a plastic cover or tarp over just the top. You still need air circulation to occur so keep the sides and bottom open.
Wooden bin using old lumber
Wooden pallet bins
Cinder block bin
Wire fencing bins
OPTIONAL TOOLS: A composting thermometer and a metal pipe or plastic pvc with holes drilled all around, to be placed in the center of the pile for more circulation.
What materials can you put into a compost bin?
Animal manures (no cat or dog)
Corn cobs
Grass clippings
Hay
Leaves
Peat moss
Saw dust
Seaweed/kelp
Stalks (chopped)
Straw
Wood ashes
Garden plants
Soft plant stems
Fruit and vegetable matter
Egg Shells
Tea bags and coffee grounds
Newsprint (no glossy or colored print)
Even 100% cotton socks and underwear after the elastic has been removed
What not to compost:
Meat, fats, bones, fish
Dairy products
Cooking Oil
Human, Cat and Dog feces
Disease infected plants
Weeds that have gone to seed
Poisonous plants (like poison ivy, caster bean, datura, and oleander)
How to heat up the pile? You want to get the pile cooking as soon as possible. To know if your pile is hot enough there are composting thermometers that you can place in the center and it will give you a reading.
Here are a few other ways to heat the pile up? Add nitrogen rich materials like your farm animal manures and/or bloodmeal. Here is a recipe I have used: Mix in a bucket and then pour into the center of the pile. Don't be alarmed if you see steam coming from the pile after applying. 1/4 cup of beer, ¼ cup of ammonia, 1 gal of warm water
How do you eliminate smells from the Compost Bin? Only use the above suggested materials in the bin. Once the pile heats up the odors will usually disappear and turning the pile every 10 days or so.
How do I turn the pile? I have found a pitch fork or even a hand held garden soil tiller works really well.
What to do with Bugs in the pile? This is just part of the decomposition process and cannot be avoided. Just place your pile in an area that any pests won't be a bother to your household. A warning, be on the lookout for fire ants in the pile and maybe a wasp nest near the pile. I always wear gloves and do a light, general inspection of the pile before I just dig in to retrieve some soil or get ready to turn the pile. Learned this lesson the hard way.
Another way of composting is to include worms into the mix. Not any worm will do, you must have a red wiggler earthworm. They are not locally available, but on http://www.garden.com/ you can order some. They not only help decompose the material faster but their droppings or casings add to the nutrients.
They must be placed in the deep in the center of the pile, they don't like the heat or sunlight. When adding them to the pile put some cornmeal, old bread, cooked rice, oatmeal with them it will give them a good start.
Posts
