Composting is so cool. I mean, you can turn all of your vegetable scraps into rich soil! I don’t know about you, but just the idea really excites me… and that’s even before thinking of all of the added benefits.
Composting reduces plant material which go into landfills. As a docent at Tucson Botanical Gardens, I learned that over 25% of the landfill volume here is material that could be composted. Many states have banned green waste from landfills and others are following suit. In many cities that have garbage taxes, they are based on volume. So composting could have financial rewards as well. And if you need another incentive, think of how great it would be to take out the trash less!
You can see nature’s compost in areas untouched by man… fruit, leaves and branches decomposing, allowing rain and bacteria and time to break them down into rich soil. Did I pique your interest yet? Here are some specifics.
If you want to start composting you need only a bin and these three things things:
*green, nitrous matter (leaves, veggies, plant materials, coffee grounds, manure, food waste, etc.)
*dry, carbonous matter (twigs, grass, dry leaves, cardboard, tea bags, coffee filters, straw, sawdust, shredded paper, papter towels, etc.)
*water (don’t let it dry out! It should be moist like a damp sponge–if you squeeze it, water should not run out but it should stay in the shape of your hand.)
You can put all of these in a bin, or see if one is available in your neighborhood or at your local community garden (if there is one). You may also have friends or coworkers who will gladly take your compost off your hands and process it for you. Otherwise, just find a bin and add your green and brown matter in even layers, keeping it moist. Turn the pile and voila, soon you will have rich earth!
How does composting work?
Microorganisms and macroorganisms at work! This includes bacteria, worms, grubs, cockroaches and bugs…yes, they are our friends! They chew, digest and defacate garbage which helps break it down and also speeds up the process by creating air passages. They will NOT come into your house if you are composting outdoors, so don’t worry.
Troubleshooting
If your compost smells, it has too much moisture or nitrogen. Add some carbon! If you have insects, add a layer of straw or newspaper on top.
What Not to Compost
Do not compost meat, fats and oils, dairy products, diseased or invasive plants or animal feces.
What is a good recipe for compost?
1/2 carbon (5 shovels), 1/2 nitrogen (5 shovels), 1/2 shovel manure or soil, 4 cups of water. Tie it up, roll it around, open it once a week for one or two months, and voila! Or, if you’d like to start smaller, fill a ziplock bag wth 1 part carbon and 1 part nitrogen and a little water. Shake and open it daily and see what happens!
What About Worm Composting?
Worm composting, or vermicomposting, is a good way to compost indoors with the help of redworms! All you need an aerated container, bedding (shredded newspaper) and a little bit of soil… and worms of course!
Where can I read more?
These are some of my favorite books on the topic:
Backyard Composting: Your Complete Guide to Recycling Yard Clippings
Let it Rot!: The Gardener’s Guide to Composting (Third Edition) (Storey’s Down-to-Earth Guides)
The Rodale Book of Composting: Easy Methods for Every Gardener
Worms Eat My Garbage: How to Set Up and Maintain a Worm Composting System
I have composted for a long time, and just started vermicomposting more recently. Please post questions and I will answer all of them!
Yael!
We bought a box and some worms and the book “Worms eat my garbage” last fall and have been vermicomposting since. It rocks!!