Composting

At Home

It is estimated that up to two thirds of what we throw away is composed of organic materials. Organic materials such as grass clippings, dead leaves, vegetable scraps, coffee grounds and newspaper can be processed into useful rich soil through the simple process of composting. By composting at home you are helping to take thousands of pounds of would be landfill content out of the waste stream and back into the earths natural life cycle.

Ingredients
There are four main elements to successful composting. They are Browns, Greens, Water and Air

Browns are dead or dry substances like dead leaves, kindling, straw and shredded newspaper.
Greens are fresh or live materials such as grass clippings, banana peels, vegetable scraps, coffee grounds and herbivore manure.
Include an element of air in your compost by layering larger brown sticks on the bottom of the pile. By doing so your creating pockets of air within the waste. Once your pile is formed begin stirring it periodically creating new air pockets and allowing the materials to cycle to the surface for air exposure.
Water your compost pile frequently. Never allow it to dry out past the point of a wrung out sponge.

Instructions
1. Choose a bin. You can either purchase a composting bin from your local garden center or build one using common household items. For common household composting a one cubic yard bin is recommended. When purchasing or building your bin keep in mind that compost is a favored treat for rodents such as skunks and racoons. In order to keep your compost secure use a bin with a lid, a floor and holes no bigger than 1/4 inch in diameter.

2. Choose a location for your bin that is out of the way and in the shade. Too much sunlight will cause your compost to dry out and stop the decomposition process.

3. Prepare your materials. Start by layering larger materials such as sticks, sunflower husks and corn stalks at the bottom of the bin. This creates needed air pockets. Once the larger materials have covered the bottom of the bin alternate layers of browns and greens, watering and stirring the layers as you go. Once the materials or space have run out top the mixture with a final layer of browns, aged compost or soil.

4. Stand by. Watch your compost as it begins to heat up and decompose.For the fastest results turn your pile every one to three days and do not add new materials untill the pile is fully decomposed. This whole process should take three to eight weeks. If you would like to be able to add new materials over time, turn your pile only once a week. When adding new green materials be sure to bury them in the center of the bin making sure they are fully covered with brown materials. Using this method the process will be completed within three to six months.

5. Havesting your compost. Once the materials have decomposed into a fine, crumbly, sweet smelling soil it is ready for use. If large clumps remain sift the compost through a one inch screen.

Using Your Compost
Once your compost is ready begin using it for all of your indoor and outdoor gardening needs.

Outdoor Gardening. Mix a 4" to 8" layer of compost into the reclaimed or poor soil to add valued nutrients and microbes to your garden.
Spread 1 to 6 inches of fine compost on soil as mulch or spread a thin 1/2 inch layer over grass to improve fertility and reduce watering needs.
Indoor. Shake a thin layer of compost over your houseplant soil for incresed nutrition. You can also make a woderfull potting soil from the compost by mixing one part compost with two parts sand or soil.
If you do not have a need for compost offer it your neighbors or donate it to a local school or community garden.

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