My family has been composting for the past five years. Like many family decisions, this one did not come easily. My husband was on board right away. I had concerns about dogs, rodents and spreading plant disease from one year to the next.
My biggest reservation was caused by information overload when I started researching proper composting techniques. There are a lot of opinions, theories and methods of how to compost correctly. Let me reassure you that by following a few basic guidelines, it is actually quite simple. We decided that we had nothing to lose by giving it a try that first year and I am really glad that we did.
Composting is a naturally occurring process that breaks down organic materials into an excellent soil amendment that improves soil structure and even adds some nutrients. All organic materials will break down eventually, but gardeners can speed up the process with good management.
The basic ingredients for successful composting include organic materials and microorganism with the proper balance of carbon, nitrogen, water and oxygen.
It can be overwhelming when researching what you can put into your compost and the percentages of materials to add to your pile.
Good candidates for composting include end-of-season garden plants, pulled weeds, grass clippings, tree leaves and plant trimmings.
Keep in mind that you might not want to put lawn clippings or weeds that have been chemically treated if you intend to use the compost in your vegetable garden. It is highly unlikely that it will damage the garden plants, but I want you to be aware of that concern. The smaller the particle size, the faster the organic materials will break down – chopped or shredded plants will compost more quickly. Food wastes such as vegetable and fruit scraps, and coffee or tea grounds, can also be added. The materials should be buried in the center of the compost pile to avoid attracting rodents and neighborhood pets.
There are a few organic materials that you don’t want to include in your compost pile due to possible health concerns or the likelihood that they will attract pests. Because of the danger of disease transmission, human and pet feces should not be composted. Meat scraps, bones and fats are discouraged because they commonly attract unwanted visitors.
I fight Septoria leaf spot on my tomato plants every year. I’m getting much better at staying ahead of the disease and treating for it, but I choose not to include affected tomato plants in my compost pile at the end of the season. Backyard composters should consider avoiding materials heavily infested with weed seeds, insects and disease.
A properly managed compost pile should generate enough heat in the center to kill most of these pests, ensuring uniform heat can be difficult, primarily in a small compost pile.
The center of a properly managed compost pile will generate heat as the microorganisms break down the organic matter. A good-sized compost heap, approximately 4-5 feet in diameter and 4-5 feet deep, should reach 130-160 degrees in the center. Turn the pile with a pitchfork or shovel at least once or twice a month to keep the materials supplied with oxygen, and to bring outer contents to the center for heating.
I don’t measure the temperature of my compost pile as recommended but I do turn it twice a month on average. I have my compost piles set up on a three-year rotation to insure that the materials are broken down appropriately.
The picture shown is from my compost pile. I used old wooden pallets to form three sections. From left to right the piles will be ready to be used in 2021, 2022 and 2020 respectively.
I secure the piles on the front using chicken wire to discourage material from falling out or dogs and rodents from getting into it. The chicken wire is easy to remove and reattach as needed.
Compost can be ready to use in as soon as month or as long as a year or more, depending on how well the pile is constructed and tended. Finished compost should look much like a uniform potting soil, with no indication of what materials originally went into the pile.
Compost can be used as a soil amendment in the garden to add some nutrients but its primary advantage is that of improving soil structure. Adding compost increases water-holding capacity, aeration and nutrient exchange sites in soil.
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