Composting 101

Benefits of Organic Gardening and How to Build a Successful Pile

Welcome and Thank you For Coming!

Benefits of Composting Science of Composting Types of Composters Short Garden Tour (Weather

Permitting) How-to: Compost Questions?

Benefits of Composting

Reduce or eliminate the need for chemical fertilizers.

Promote higher yields of agricultural crops. Cost-effective Avoids Methane and leachate formulation

in landfills. Healthier plants Better for your body Reduces the need for water, fertilizers, and

pesticides.

Science of Composting - CarbonCarbon: Nitrogen Ration30:1 (Basically, you need more brown than green)

Carbon “Browns”: Ashes, wood Bark Cardboard, shredded Corn stalks Fruit waste Leaves Newspaper, shredded Peanut shells Peat moss Pine needles Sawdust Stems and twigs, shredded Straw Vegetable stalks

Science of Composting - Nitrogen

Nitrogen “Greens” Alfalfa Algae Clover Coffee grounds Food waste Garden waste Grass clippings Hay Hedge clippings Hops, used Manures Seaweed Vegetable scraps Weeds*

Science of Composting

Anaerobic vs. Aerobic Ideal temperature 135-160 degrees

Fahrenheit Too cold: slow composting, unfinished and

shouldn’t be used Too hot: nutrients will be cooked out To keep a balanced temperature, turn at

least once every two weeks “Experience is your greatest teacher”

Types of Composting

Backyard Composting Open Bin Closed Bin

Vermicomposting Indoor (Kitchen) Composting

How-to Compost

STEP ONE In a rodent resistant bin, create a base of 3" - 4" or woody, brushy material to promote aeration

(do not mix into pile). STEP TWO Alternate layers of green and brown materials; keep the layers 2" - 4" deep. Common green

(nitrogen) materials are grass, food scraps (uncooked fruit and vegetables, coffee grounds, filters, tea bags and egg shells) (wet), garden trimmings. Common brown (carbon) materials are, fall leaves, straw and newspaper strips (dry). Chop up larger materials for faster decomposition.

STEP THREE Whenever you add a food scrap layer, make sure you sprinkle it with soil and then cap off with

a brown layer to prevent smells and flies. STEP FOUR Mix bin contents often (minimum once every two weeks). This introduces air and gets bin

heating up again. Mix older materials with newer materials for faster decomposition. STEP FIVE Moisture content of bin should be like a wrung out dish rag. Only add water if pile is very dry

after mixing. STEP SIX Pile will shrink. Continue to add and mix until bin is almost full. Place carpet on surface of pile

to retain heat and moisture. STEP SEVEN Compost is generally ready to use when it looks like humus (after about two to three months).

However, aging the compost for another 1 to 2 months is recommended.

Make your own Kitchen Composter!

Phone book Spinach Leaves Molasses for catalyst Poke holes when you get home (if

you’d like)

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Sites

Composting for Facilities Basics http://www.epa.gov/compost/ http://whatcom.wsu.edu/ag/compost/fundament

als/needs_placement_structures.htm Organic Gardening Basics

http://www.organicgardeningguru.com/composting-101/carbon-nitrogen-ratio/

Guide to Composting http://www.epa.gov/waste/conserve/tools/green

scapes/pubs/compost-guide.pdf Cornell Compost Science

http://compost.css.cornell.edu/physics.html Composting Science – Univ. of Illinois

http://web.extension.illinois.edu/homecompost/science.cfm