Recycling in the Garden – Home Composting
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Soil is constantly renewed with the nutrients it needs through the slow breakdown of rock (through erosion) and the decomposition of organic matter. Compost is organic matter that has broken down to a point where its mineral and nutrient components can be readily absorbed by plants. Soil can never get too much compost because soil can always be improved with more organic matter. This organic matter is very important if you want a healthy garden - especially if you live in an area with poor soil. You can buy compost, but it is very easy to create your own composting system.
Organic matter makes up approximately one-third of the waste that we produce in our homes. This waste often is thrown into landfills in plastic bags, which cannot decompose. Garbage in plastic bags can actually be dug up intact 100 years later! This is an awful waste of precious landfill space. Better use of this organic matter can be used if home composting is performed.
Sources of Organic Matter for Home Composting
Soft and Green
- Fruit and vegetable peels
- Grass clippings
- Green leaves
- Strips of turf
- Alfalfa
- Peat moss
- Seedless weeds
Hard and Brown
- Wood chips
- Ground-up twigs
- Sawdust
- Pruning scraps
- Brown leaves
- Straw
- Shredded bark
Home composting systems consist of a well-ventilated bin with an open bottom, and a lid that keeps animals out. An added bonus is that many compost bins are themselves made from recycled plastic!
How to start your own home composting system
Green Tip:
Don't spray your driveway, sidewalk, deck or porch with either your sprinkler or hose. If it's dirty, use a broom to remove dirt and dust.
- Compost bins for home composting are available from hardware stores, gardening stores, and online stores.
- Choose a shady spot for your bin - too much sunlight can dry out the organic matter and slow down decomposition. Position it in a place away from walls or other obstacles to provide it with good ventilation.
- Gradually fill your compost bin with alternating layers of soft and green, and hard and brown layers. An occasional layer of topsoil also helps.
- Keep your compost moist and well-ventilated. Once in awhile, you will need to turn and mix the layers. You can also add compost worms from garden centers, to help break down the organic matter.
- It will take approximately four months for most of the organic matter from home composting to break down. The compost is ready to use when it is dark and crumbly. There are many ways that you can use compost once it is ready.
- Over the winter, colder weather may slow down the decomposition of matter, and your heap may freeze solid. Don't panic - this may actually help the decomposition of plants, because the freezing process will break down the fibers in plant matter. Once the warm weather returns, the home composting heap will begin decomposing again.
What shoud I not add to my composting system?
Avoid adding meat, dairy products, fish bones, bread, rice, or oily foods. You should also not add weeds or clippings from diseased plants. Do not add pet or human manure because this can spread disease.
Above – Algreen's new 50 gallon Terra Composter. No longer will you hide your composter in shame; this sleek looking composter can be displayed proudly in your garden! Designed to look like terracotta, this lightweight composter is made of high quality, durable plastic that will not crack, chip or fade. Rear door design makes it difficult for rodents to get into composter. Composter includes compost turner.
