Composting: Breaking down organic materials to create nutrient rich plant food, while simultaneously reducing the amount of trash sent to landfills. It’s the epitome of upcycling!
Now I’ll be the first to admit, I was a little intimidated by composting at first. Talk of the special bins, wrong ratios, things you can’t compost etc…. I was so afraid of doing it wrong. Then I realized a few things that relieved the pressure and instilled a little confidence:
- Composting happens naturally all the time without you. That’s right folks, nature doesn’t really need our help.
- If an issue does arise with your compost (too wet, too dry, stinky etc) there is always time to adjust, and learn from your mistakes.
- You don’t need special equipment. Sure, certain bins or spinners may be beneficial, but nature doesn’t need expensive equipment to make compost and neither do you.
How to Compost
First of all, you’ll need a designated space to put your compost. I like to keep a small bin in my kitchen for scraps (this can be as simple as a large Tupperware), then empty that into a larger receptacle outside.
Regardless of the type of receptacle you choose for outside, find a spot that is level, has good drainage and preferably A LOT of sunlight. The hotter your compost gets, the quicker it breaks down. You also do not want water pooling anywhere near your bin or pile.
In terms of the type of receptacle, there are generally 3 main options for containing your compost: Spinners, bins and piles. I’ve included a chart that has a quick description, and pros/cons of each.
Once you’ve chosen a spot and a receptacle, its time to start your compost!
Compost requires 5 basic ingredients:
- Green material
- Brown material
- Moisture
- Air
- Time
The ratio for green to brown material is generally 1:1, or exactly half and half.
I have a fairly simple system for keeping this ratio even. Every time I empty my kitchen scrap bin (mostly green material) into the main compost outside, I fill that same kitchen bin with a second load of dead leaves and twigs (Brown material). If I have extra leaves to put in the bin, I try to also collect cut grass….. The idea is to keep everything in balance. Since this method isn’t an exact science, you’ll want to keep an eye on your compost to make sure the ratio seems right. If you notice your compost is soggy or starting to smell, just add more brown material. If your compost seems very dry and is not breaking down very well, add more green material.
For moisture, most of what you need will come from the green material, but you may need to occasionally wet your compost with a hose. You want your mixture to appear wet, but not dripping wet. It’s also important to keep the pile from getting too wet from rain or pooling water.
Providing adequate air flow into your bin or pile is essential for proper decomposition. Many compost spinners/ bins you can buy already have small holes for aeration. Just make sure to leave these open if they have the option to close. For stationary compost bins and piles, it’s good practice to occasionally turn your pile with a rake or shovel to provide more air. The frequency you turn your pile will influence how quickly it breaks down (see below). It’s also helpful to poke holes into the compost to provide air channels.
The time it will take your pile to break down depends on different factors:
- Specific contents of the pile: For example, cotton takes longer to break down than dead leaves. Also cutting everything into small pieces will help them breakdown faster.
- The temperature outside: Compost in the heat of summer will break down more quickly than in the winter
- How often it’s turned: Increasing air flow will break the pile down faster
- Where it is located: If the pile sits in direct sun, the heat will help the compost break down
In general, if you turn your compost every other day and it is sitting in direct sun in the summer, it will only take a couple weeks to break down. If you turn your compost every other week in the winter, it’ll take closer to 2-3 months.
What NOT to compost
There’s a simple list of things that you generally do NOT want to compost:
- Inorganic material (Plastic, synthetic fibers)
- Meat/ Dairy products (to avoid rancid smell and rodents)
- Grease or cooking oil
- Waxy/glossy paper or cardboard
- Manure from carnivores
- Invasive weeds
- Weeds with seeds sprouted
- Diseased plant material (consult your local gardening center if you’re not sure)
When it’s Ready
You know your compost is ready to use when the pile has turned into a moist, crumbly and dark brown substance. If you squeeze a handful of it and just a little moisture drips out, it’s perfect.
You can either mix your compost with soil before you plant your garden, or use it to fertilize your current garden by pulling back any mulch and placing compost around the base of your plants, mixing in with your hands. Doing this will also deter bugs from reaching your plants. Place mulch back over the top to reduce moisture loss.
Happy gardening ya’ll!
