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Composting

Composting (or decomposition) is gaining in popularity as the ‘green’ movement makes its way through communities. While you might have heard of the term composting, that may have just been in passing. If you aren’t sure of what it is exactly, this series of articles will teach you all that you need to know. Already think you know everything there is to learn about composting? There are things that even expert level composters can learn! Whether it be something as simple as what you can and cannot compost, or even the latest and greatest tools used in the decomposition of organic matter.

So, what is composting exactly? Well the answer is fairly simple! Composting is considered to be the decomposition of any and all plant remains, or organic materials. Which in turn are known to make a lush earthy substance that is used as food (or an enriching plant food) for one’s garden. All while helping to reduce the massive volume of garbage that is needlessly filling our landfills. Compost has been known to enrich soil far better than any man made soil additives. Simply since it is all organic matter, and something that nature itself uses to feed it’s plants!

However despite the simplicity of learning how to compost, many people simply don’t want to take the time. Even though it is a wonderful way not only to save the environment, but money as well. What’s the point to purchasing expensive soil additives, when you can easily create your own? While you will have to put-forth some effort in the composting process, along with some funds to start your composting on the right foot. In the long run it all pays off immensely.

Now that your interested in starting your new compost, it’s now time to go through the long list of to-do’s to get yourself ready. We will also go through the many different methods of composting. As well as the do’s and don’ts of at home composting. This will help to save you many headaches in the future, and assure that you enjoy your new method of saving some extra funds.

Despite what you might think, composting has been around for decades. It is a naturally occurring phenomenon that happens in the natural world. Unlike your back yard, the forests don’t have someone to come rake up the piles of fallen leaves. Leaving it up to nature to clean up after itself. This happens when the organic matter such as leaves, twigs, and even the forest’s inhabitants’s excrement will begin to decay and break down. Thus returning the organic matter into the soil, where the plants can benefit from the many nutrients and vitamins that are offered from this compost. Thus finishing the recycling process of composting. You see? This isn’t a man made process! Instead it was a learned process as scientists began to study the effects of composting on our world. It has been shown that even early civilizations participated in composting. Often times dumping food wastes into piles among or near by their homes or camps. As the waste began to decompose, their soil in which they planted crops became rich and fruitful.

Unfortunately many of us in this civilization haven’t considered composting in our daily lives. That is until the ‘green’ movement became the in thing. As landfill space becomes swelled and brimming with our waste. We have come to realize that there are methods in which we can reduce the over-all waste that we produce for the environment to deal with. This of course means composting our own organic waste such as fruit peels and plant wastes. It has been speculated that composting in the future, may indeed become as common place as recycling your soda cans or glass. Thus making it easier to reduce the dependancy on our local garbage men a realization instead of a dream.

A little tidbit that may help to sway you into the world of composting; is that the kitchen and yard wastes make up thirty percent of our landfills. All of which can be easily composted! A waste isn’t it? Even if you don’t utilize the compost in your own garden, there are many people who will gladly pay a decent price for this organically made soil enriching substance.

The first and foremost thing to consider, is what type of composting system you’d like to add into your life. Depending on the amount of time you wish to spend in composting, you may favor one type of system over another. While it is possible to make your own compost container: it is important to keep your local laws or HOA regulations in mind prior to choosing to build your own.

One of the most common are binning systems. Whether it be a single bin system, two, or even three bins. They are by far some of the most simple to use compost systems available on the market today. The single bin compost system is a great way to start out in the world of composting. However whether it be one, two, or three they all have the same basic principals of use. The overall use of the compost system is to enclose your compost pile. Helping to keep it contained. Much like any other process of decomposition, it is common for expert composters to utilize worms (such as red worms) to aid in the decomposition process. Making it a faster process, and will decrease the time from compost-to-utilization of your organic matter. While the two and three bin systems are similar, they are utilized to aid the process of multiple compost piles. Simply because you don’t want to add fresh organic matter to a compost pile already in a late stage of decomposition.

The next in line for some of the most popular composting system, is the tumbling (or rotating) compost systems. While they tend to be fairly high in cost, they can help to generate compost in a matter of weeks (rather than a month or two). Simply because the rotating drum can help to speed up the process by refreshing the way the pile lays, with little to no effort on your part. However the one down side to these systems is the size. You will need to wait for a smaller batch to get done decomposing, before you can start another.

A few other less popular methods of composting (not due to their performance, but the ease of use) are the sheet or trench composting, worm bin composting, or your larger commercial composting style bins. They tend to take a little more work, but are all well worth it if they are all that you can afford to use.

Now that you have your composting system in place, it’s now time to learn how it actually works. While many people understand that a compost pile breaks down, few understand the exact fundamentals to composting properly. Remember, this isn’t just a pile of leaves in your back yard! This is an entire natural system that will begin to break down any and all organic matter, it is far more complicated on the microbial level! Remember, you need to provide the right environment for the microbes to grow and thrive. Despite what you were taught at a young age, fungi and bacteria can be good things as well! It is these little guys that digest the yard waste; and will help to process the decomposition of your food and yard debris. However, you aren’t limited to these tiny little friends. Instead if you run a cool pile; you may even have worms and other insects to help the microbes speed the process along. It all depends on the temperature and regulation of the temperature within your pile.

The basics for composting are simple. First of all you need air! Remember, the microbes need air as well. The microbes who need the air to live will help to keep the rancid smell away, as well as help to speed up the process. Without the air you will have an invasion of anaerobic microbes, which can and will slow down the decomposition process. Not to mention your neighbors complaining about the smell! For this reason you must make sure your pile can get plenty of air throughout. But how do you do this? You will need to turn the pile with a rake or garden fork, or using leaves and grass clippings as liners (so long as they aren’t wet. You will need to make sure to layer your organic waste. Making sure that air can get through the spaces between.

Next in line is water! You should keep a consistent dampness throughout your pile. Think of your pile as a barely damp towel. This will be substantial enough to meet and exceed the needs of your microbes. However, you should take care that your compost heap doesn’t become too wet! If you live in a place such as Seattle, you will want to throw a tarp over your pile. However if you live in desert or aired climates, you will need to water your pile.

You might be wondering what more you might need for your compost pile? Well that is quite simple! The last thing you will need to have a successful compost pile is food for your microbes. While you may think of everything you throw into the pile as food for microbes, there are only two major sources of food for these tiny critters. The first being the ‘browns’. Otherwise known as dry plant waste such as straw, leaves, wood chips and sawdust. While on the other hand you will need to add in a little bit of the green stuff as well. Otherwise known as your freshly pulled weeds, fruits, vegetables, (even coffee grounds or tea bags) can be considered a green food source for microbes!

Now that you know the fundamental of composting. You will also begin to consider a few other tips and tricks of the trade. Remember, that if you live in a place where there are cold climate changes during the winter. Your compost heap will become dormant during these chilly seasons. Despite the sound of it, there is little to no worries! Once spring time rolls around your composting will resume like normal. Despite the common misconception of the temperature needed in composting, all that is truly needed is a consistent fifty degrees Fahrenheit (or higher) to complete a successful season of composting.

While it is true that a hotter compost heap will decay faster, if you are alright with a slower decomposition of your materials. It is fairly easy to maintain the temperature at a steady fifty degrees. However, that will also depend on the overall dimensions of your compost heap as well.

So how do you tell when your compost is done in the process of decomposition? Simple! Look to the color of your compost pile. Your finished composition will be dark in color, and have an un-mistakable earthy soil smell. Chances are if you can recognize anything in the pile, you aren’t quite there yet!

Now that your compost is done, it’s now time to use that lush and enriching soil additive. Whether you use it in your garden, lawn, landscape, house plants, or even sell the stuff. There are many different ways to use it. This is nature at it’s best! Put it to good use within your own home!