HOW
TO: COMPOST
By
Sara Schultz
October
2006
When attempting to live
more holistically, we cannot
expect ourselves to turn completely
green overnight. However, one
of the simplest and easiest ways
to ease our lifestyle toward
a more sustainable one is right
before our eyes – or, more
appropriately, beneath our kitchen
sink. A great variety of waste
from your own kitchen and garden
may be composted at home, saving
this material from a one-way
trip to the landfill. When yard
and kitchen material make up
approximately 30 percent of waste
produced in the U.S., it seems
obvious that we should all be
pitching in to do our part.
The ease of composting explains its widespread practice. Anyone can do it with
any amount of organic household waste, and it can be as simple or as involved
as desired depending on how much organic household waste there is, how fast
one wants results, and the effort one is willing to invest.
Before getting started, one must understand a few imperatives. Microorganisms
responsible for decomposing the waste require four vital elements: nitrogen,
carbon, air, and water. To have a successful compost pile at home, it is important
to maintain these elements in order to support the breakdown process. Nitrogen-rich
waste such as grass clippings and kitchen scraps should be combined with carbon-rich
materials, such as dried leaves and twigs. Water the pile enough to keep it
damp, but not overly saturated, as this could hinder the process. Turning or
mixing the pile provides necessary oxygen, and of course, the more frequent
the turning, the faster the decomposition.
The proper equipment is essential in getting results, and luckily a myriad
of composter styles is available today to fit every taste. Tumblers, bins,
and homemade styles are among the most common (not to exclude the old-fashioned
yet less popular “pile”). Store-bought composters range anywhere
from $18 to $180, depending on the type; alternatively, homemade composters
can be built with great ease for around $15 or less. Tumblers offer the convenience
of turning the compost with the movement of a crank, whereas bins require a
garden shovel to mix the compost with essential oxygen.
Decomposed organic household waste yields some of the best possible fertilizer
for your garden. The rich, dark, earthy-smelling material is packed with nutrients
that improve soil condition and have a wide range of uses for both outdoor
and indoor plants. A well- maintained pile can produce this rich compost within
about a month during the summer, while the process may require more time during
the winter due to dampness and colder weather. However long the composting
process may take you to begin, it is likely you will find it a truly beneficial
and often enjoyable practice for years to come.
| DO
USE: |
DON'T
USE: |
leaves
grass clippings
straw
woody brush
vegetable & fruit scraps
coffee grounds
livestock manure
sawdust
shredded paper |
diseased
plants
meat scraps
(may attract animals)
dairy products
dog or cat manure
(can carry disease) |
 The
Envirocycle is one style of tumbler that
can be found at Farm Supply for around $180.
Keep your compost well-mixed with this convenient
piece of equipment. |
 A
homemade composter can be built with 1 in wood
steaks standing 4 ft high, chicken wire, and
plastic ties. Compost is then scooped out when
ready by cutting a door at the bottom of the
chicken wire, which can be re-closed. |
 Bin-style
composters typically have thick, plastic sides
to help hold in moisture, a lift-up top, and
a side door panel for easy compost removal. |
|
