As discussed in a previous post, composting has many benefits for our soil and environment. Today, we will discuss the components of a healthy compost process.
Compost Definition
As a reminder, here is the definition of compost and what we accomplish when we help nature initiate this process.
Compost is a decayed organic material used as a plant fertilizer.
The decomposition of plant remains and other once-living materials makes an earthy, dark, crumbly substance that enriches garden soil. This is a way to recycle yard and kitchen waste and is a critical step in reducing the volume of garbage needlessly sent to landfills for disposal.
Composting is not a modern invention. In the natural world, composting occurs as leaves pile up on the forest floor and begin to decay. Eventually, the rotting leaves are returned to the soil, where living roots can finish recycling by reclaiming the nutrients from the decomposed leaves.
The Basics of Composting
The beauty of composting is that ANYONE can do it. Unlike other recycling opportunities, no infrastructure is required, so any city, organization, or individual has the ability and space to compost.
The first step for beginners in composting is picking their bin. An average compost bin needs at least three square feet of space in a yard.
If you don’t have a yard, check out this post for composting without a yard. You’ll find a great variety of options!
Components of a Successful Compost Bin
Billions of microbes (fungi, bacteria, etc.) digest the food you provide for them, which makes the compost. If the pile is cool enough, worms, insects, and their relatives will help out the microbes. However, these living things need air, water, and food.
Keep in mind the following basic ideas while building your compost piles:
Air
Composting microbes are aerobic — they can’t do their work well unless they are provided with air. Without air, anaerobic (non-air needing) microbes take over the pile. They slow decomposition and tend to smell like rotting garbage. This is why three square feet is needed for the optimal compost bin. This size allows air through the compost pile on all sides. Turning the mixture with a spade or another gardening utensil is also an excellent way to add air to your pile.
Water
Ideally, your pile should be as moist as a wrung-out sponge to fit the needs of compost microbes. If your pile is drier than this, it won’t be a perfect microbial habitat, and composting will be slowed significantly. If your pile is a great deal wetter, the sodden ingredients will be so heavy that they will tend to mat down and exclude air from the pile, slowing the composting process (and perhaps creating anaerobic odor problems). Moisten dry materials as you add them to the pile and gauge the moisture when turning it. Watch out for far-too-soggy piles in wet climates (a tarp may help to keep rain off during wet weather).
Food
This is probably one of the most essential components of composting for beginners.
There are many options for composting materials, divided into two major categories.
‘Browns,’ known as carbons, are dry and dead plant materials such as straw, dry brown weeds, autumn leaves, and wood chips or sawdust. These items are a source of energy for the compost microbes, where the ‘greens’ come in. Because they tend to be dry, browns often need to be moistened before they are put into a compost system.
‘Greens’ (nitrogens) are fresh (often green) plant materials such as garden weeds, kitchen fruit and vegetable scraps, green leaves, coffee grounds and tea bags, fresh manure, etc. Compared to browns, greens have more nitrogen in them. Nitrogen is a critical element in amino acids and proteins, and can be considered a protein source for the billions of multiplying microbes.
The ideal ratio for compost is 30:1, with the majority being carbons in weight. When in doubt, lean toward carbon. This will make a slower compost process, but too many greens can get anaerobic, which will tend to be small and attract unwanted guests.
Mixing the Compost
A good mix of browns and greens is the best nutritional balance for the microbes. The ideal ratio is 30:1, with the majority being carbons in weight. This mix also helps with the pile’s aeration and amount of water. Browns, for instance, tend to be bulky and promote good aeration. On the other hand, greens are typically high in moisture and balance out the dry nature of the browns. Add twice as much brown as green to keep the proper ratio and prohibit anaerobic decomposition. Too many browns will only lead to a slower composting process, whereas too many greens will lead to a stinky compost pile or attract unwanted critters.
How Long Does Composting Take?
With regular turning, maintaining green and brown ratios, and moisture levels, waste can compost in as little as 1 to 2 months. Composting an unmanaged pile could take six months to two years.
Finished compost is entirely broken down and similar to rich, organic soil. You can apply it to your soil or use it in potting mixes.
As you can see, composting for beginners doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With a few composting basics, your compost will be a success.
Written by Kayla Kamp, Owner of Replenishing Farms and Advocate of Local Food and Farmers.