Compost: What is it and why you should care
What is composting?
Composting refers to the act of collecting organic materials in the form of food scraps, yard waste, etc. in an area where you can promote decomposition with water and warmth.
Why is everyone talking about compost?
According to the EPA (the United States Environmental Protection Agency), Americans throw away close to 300 million tons of trash each year! Food accounts for about 22 percent of that number and is the second-highest waste category. If we work together to reduce the amount of food thrown away, we can help the Earth stay healthy for generations.
Can I compost on my own?
Okay, I know what you are thinking- compost sounds smelly! And I won’t lie- compost can get stinky if not properly maintained.
To properly compost (i.e. without the smell), you need to add the correct amount of materials that produce nitrogen and carbon, turn the materials to promote oxygen flow, and add enough water to keep the cycle going. The home composter should avoid adding animal products (meat scraps, bones, dairy products, etc.) because it may attract animals and introduce harmful bacteria. That being said, manure is a terrific addition to your compost, especially when sourced from grass-fed cattle.
Nitrogen and carbon?
Do not worry, this is not chemistry class! Nitrogen and carbon come from brown and green materials. Brown materials include wood chips, dry leaves, hay, and shredded, unbleached paper. Green materials include kitchen scraps, fresh grass clippings and fresh leaves. Long-time composters suggest having a ratio of 2 parts brown materials to 1 part green material.
My compost smells. What do I do?
Typically compost with too much green material produces the most smell- too many greens can lead to your compost being wet and slimy high water content of the materials themselves. For example, think of a coffee filter full of used coffee grounds and how much water it retains!
To combat this, add your browns! Try getting some straw, shredded newspaper, pine needles, or wood chips. Make sure the pieces you add to your compost are small. Smaller pieces going in will result in faster decomposition.
Compost maintenance
Turn your compost. It may be a chore, but getting oxygen into the pile also promotes faster decomposition.
Check your compost regularly, and do not be afraid to follow your gut feeling when adding materials or turning the compost to get the recipe right for your environment. The goal is to ensure that your compost is never too wet or too dry, and a balance of browns and greens will keep you on track.
Okay, I’m all in and I have started. When will it be done?
Compost could take from one month to one year to become ready to add to your garden. There are many gadgets on the market to speed up the process, like bins and machines that turn the compost for you. However, a simple pile in your yard is perfectly fine too! It just might take a bit longer to decompose. Once your compost is ready, it looks, feels, and smells like good soil. At that point it is ready to be incorporated into the soil of your gardens and house plants.
It’s a win!
With practice, composting becomes a way of life. It can be a simple family activity, or you can put on your mad scientist hat and design a complicated composting system! Once you get the hang of it, you will be thrilled by the health of your plants, and you will be contributing to the health of the Earth. What is there to lose?
Sources:
Fox, Deanna N. “Simply Easy to Compose Compost.” Times Union, Times Union, 14 Nov. 2014, www.timesunion.com/living/article/Simply-easy-to-compose-compost-5893533.php.
“National Overview: Facts and Figures on Materials, Wastes, and Recycling.” EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, 15 Apr. 2021, www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-recycling/national-overview-facts-and-figures-materials#composting.