home composting 101 recycle utah, your local community recycling center since 1990 park city, utah
TRANSCRIPT
Home Composting 101RECYCLE UTAH, YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY RECYCLING CENTER SINCE 1990
PARK CITY, UTAH
What is Composting? Why Should We Do It?
Composting is the accelerated break-down of organic material
It can divert up to 30% of waste headed for the landfill
Composting regulates water retention and improves soil structure
Protection against erosion and soil-borne diseases
Humus, composting’s end-product, is nutrient-rich and can act as a chemical free, organic fertilizer
The Big Four
GREENS Nitrogen-rich, moist
materials that will help provide heat for the decomposition process
Fruit and vegetable scraps
Grass clippings
Flowers
Corn cobs and stalks
Coffee grounds and filters
BROWNS Carbon-rich, dry, anything
from a tree
Leaves, twigs, and pine needles
Egg shells
Shredded newspaper
Cardboard scraps
Fireplace ashes
Straw and Hay
Water & Oxygen Water creates a moist
environment that is required for the break-down process to work
Compost piles shrink considerably due to water loss
Aerobic bacteria needs to be created by leaving space for air (and oxygen!) to move
Compostable vs. Non-Compostable
Compostable Fruit and vegetable scraps
Grass, tree, and hedge clippings
Hair and nail clippings
Egg Shells
Coffee grounds, filters, and tea bags
Shredded newspaper and cardboard scraps
Paper napkins and plates
Non-Compostable Bread products – pasta, cakes, or
baked goods
Cooking oils or animal fats
Meat and bones
Dairy Products
Rice
Walnuts
Animal and human feces
Diseased plants
Household Compost Structures
No bin system
Loose system without barriers
This method is not suggested for kitchen waste
One bin system
Can be homemade, or bought at Recycle Utah
Hoop system composter
Can easily be homemade with recycled chicken-wire and wooden stakes
A homemade composter made from recycled wooden pallets
Pallets can be found at Recycle Utah
Compost Preparation
Initial Prep
You will need to pick a level, well-drained area for the compost heap
Your compost heap needs to be at least 4 x 4 feet
Rake the ground before starting the compost heap
Compost Preparation
Layers
For a functional compost system, you will need one part green matter to three parts brown matter
Layer 1: Brown matter like dry leaves to ensure airflow and to add carbon
Layer 2: Green matter like kitchen waste to add nitrogen
Layer 3: A small layer of soil to add microorganisms
Compost Preparation
Water and Oxygen
The compost heap will need periodic watering
The compost heap will need periodic movement
The movement will fuel the microorganisms and the decomposition process by allowing oxygen to flow
Potential Problems with your Compost
Not Hot Enough If the compost is below 140
degrees Fahrenheit, it is important to know that the decomposition process is still happening, just at a slower rate
Problem: The compost pile is too small
Solution: Collect more brown and green matter to mix into the pile
Too Dry The center of the compost pile is
too dry – dryer than a damp washcloth
Problem: Not enough water
Solution: Mix in more green matter, add water, and turn the pile
Potential Problems with your Compost
Bad Odor The compost heap is not
supposed to smell bad
Problem: The compost heap is too wet, without sufficient oxygen
Solution: Mix in brown matter, and turn the pile
Too Wet The compost heap should be as
moist as a damp washcloth
Problem: Lack of nitrogen
Solution: Mix in green matter like fruit and veggie scraps, or grass clippings
Black Gold - The Finished Product
What is Humus? Humus is what you’re left with
after the composting process is complete
Once you can no longer discern the original materials and the matter is a rich brown color, you know you have humus
What can you do with it? Humus can be used in lieu of
store-bought soil for gardening beds and potted plants
Humus can replace chemical fertilizers due to its high nutrient content
Use as a root stabilizer or mulch
The Magical Organic Method
Trench Composting Dig trenches in your
garden between raised beds
Fill the trenches with dry or wet leaves
By next growing season, you will have trenches filled with humus – nutrient dense soil
Composting Pockets Dig a hole in your
garden about a foot and a half deep
Fill the hole with kitchen scraps, and cover with soil
By the next growing season, you will have pockets filled with humus – nutrient dense soil
Leave Grass Clippings Grass clippings are 85%
water and decompose quickly
Set your mower to 3” tall
Leave the grass clippings on the grass
The grass clippings will serve as a natural fertilizer for your lawn
Sources and Credits http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/earthknd/compost/compost.html
Composting For Kids http://sustainable.tamu.edu/slidesets/kidscompost/cover.html
SOCRRA - Home Composting. Recycle your yard waste the natural way.
Recycle Utah - Compost Benefits for healthy soils and water protection.