GENERAL TIPS - Composting

Each year, Mother Nature produces foliage in the spring. In the autumn months, when the leaves fall from the trees, and annual plants die back; they begin the process of composting. In a year, or maybe two, this decayed plant matter becomes the food for a new plant or tree. This is composting in its most basic form. This is recycling in its most basic form...composting.

Compost bins and containers

Anyone can compost, and just about anything that once lived is suitable for composting. A compost pile doesn't have to be anything fancy. You don't need a special bin or container. Organic material will eventually break down into humus, no matter how or where it is stored. However, some sort of barrel, box or bin will keep your backyard compost pile tidier, keep the neighbors happier, and discourage rodents, flies, and other animal pests.

There are dozens of composters available for the home gardener today. These work well, but are designed more for an apartment dweller, or a homeowner who only has a limited amount of gardening space. As the size of the garden increases, so should the size of your compost facility. For a medium to large garden area, you can construct a permanent compost bin fairly easily, and rather cheaply if you have even basic woodworking skills. If you have an out of the way corner in your yard, you really only need to create a compost 'heap', and have enough space adjacent to it to allow you to periodically turn your pile.

Composting basics

Plant material can be turned into compost in as little as two weeks, or it can take as much as a year. The speed at which the composting occurs depends on the size of the material you are composting, and the effort that you want to put out. Although stems and branches will eventually decompose, you wouldn't want them added to your compost pile because they will still be stems and branches long after your leaves and grass clippings have returned to earth. Smaller is better, with the optimum being material that has been chopped or shredded into small pieces. The process is speeded up even further by keeping the pile moist and turning it regularly to expose all of the material to the air. The thousands of microorganisms that live naturally in soil carry out the natural process of composting. These organisms, like all living things, need food, air and water. They feed on the organic waste materials, converting it into compost. This process generates sufficient heat to keep the organisms going as well as killing off most harmful bacteria and weed seeds. As the organic matter is consumed, the available oxygen diminishes, and the temperature in the middle of the pile will begin to drop, slowing the process to a stop. Turning or stirring the pile frequently puts more oxygen into the pile and the heat will build again, speeding the process along. The pile should be kept moist, but never soggy.

Your compost pile

You can make your own rich dark humus with nothing more than fallen leaves, grass clippings, and the plant prunings and parts that you would have to deal with one way or another, anyway.

Ideally, your compost facility should be set in full sun, directly on the soil, but anyplace will do.
Begin your pile with a base of three to four inches of straw or twiggy material on the bottom for good air circulation.
Add alternating three to four inch layers of wet green material and dry brown material
The green matter should consist of a mix of grass clippings and garden waste.
The brown matter should consist of a mix of dry leaves, straw, or shredded newspaper (no colored ink or glossy paper though).
Uncooked fruit and vegetables may be added to the green layers, but should be covered with a layer of soil before the next brown layer, to prevent odors and flies.
Mix everything up well every two weeks with a pitchfork.
Don't let your compost pile dry out
DO NOT COMPOST meat, fish, bones, dairy products, fats or oils, pet waste, diseased plant materials, hardy weeds, or grass clippings which have been treated with herbicides or 'weed and feed' type products.

The resulting product of your composting endeavor is crumbly, dark, soil-like humus, which makes an incredibly rich, organic fertilizer for your garden.

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These tips are only of a general nature. Plants and climate will greatly differ wherever your garden may be. Always check these suggestions against your local extension office's advice.