Backyard Composting
Sandra M. Frost
BHB Area Educator – Crops
Advantages
• Reduces fertilizer use
• Alters soil pH
• Improves soil structure
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Factors
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Location
Size
Water
Microorganisms
Air
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Location
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Shade
Out of wind
Near a source of water
Out of sight
Near garden
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Tips for Success
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Location out of wind and sun
Ideal size = 1 cubic yard
Water = wrung-out sponge
Soil biota with soil
Air – turn pile
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Soil Biota
• Bacteria – smallest & most numerous
– Purple bacteria
– Actinomycetes
• Fungi – most biomass, dominant
– Molds, mildew, rust, smut, yeasts
• Collembolans
• Millipedes
• Worms
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Feeding a Compost Pile
• Microorganisms need food !
• Carbon / Nitrogen ratio 25/1
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Dynamics
• Early – bacteria and fungi
• Mid – high heat kills fungi
• Late – Fungi work
– Cellulose, lignin, bacterial bodies
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Feeding a Compost Pile
• Yes – garden debris, kitchen wastes,
shredded paper, manures, leaves, hay,
straw, grass clippings, sod, sawdust.
• No – bones, meat scraps, fats, dog and
cat feces, human feces, polyester
materials, plastics, diseased plants,
toxic stuff.
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Possible Problems
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Too wet
Too dry
Compost not working
Offensive odor
Leaves matted
Flies
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Cold-weather Composting
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Takes longer
Cover pile with a sheet of black plastic
Add more nitrogen-rich materials
Add 1 foot higher / wider for insulation
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Worms
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Tunneling = aeration & structure
Castings = nutrients
1 lb / 1 lb garbage / 1 lb compost / day
Reduce time for composting to occur
Must turn pile weekly to moderate heat
Indoors – worm box (Red Worms)
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Humus
• Colloidal soil organic matter
• Highly charged with large surface area
• Dynamic role in soil
– buffers pH, chelates cations (+ ions), pH
• Over time it releases N and S to soil
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Compost uses
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Mix in garden beds
Prepare soil for new lawns
Add to flower pots
Use as a mulch
Give it away
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Structures
• Not necessary
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The End
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