The Compost Craze
Information Compiled by: Catherine Strawley
Composting takes place when someone collects organic waste and allows organisms to break it down, turning it into soil. When food
and yard scraps are broken down by micro and macro-organisms in the soil, it makes the soil richer, and the soil can provide more
nutrients for plants. Therefore, plants are able to grow taller and greener. Composting is, in other words, a natural fertilizer, reducing
the need for chemical fertilizers and ensuring a safer and healthier living environment.
Steps for Composting:
1.
Find an appropriate compost bin. You have to be precise when choosing a bin for composting.
The bin must have holes so that the compost can aerate. This is very important because if microorganisms don't have access to air, many of them will die. As a result, slower working microorganisms, the only ones able to survive oxygen deprivation, will continue decomposing your
compost. These slow working organisms let out a foul stench. If you choose an appropriate compost
bin, your compost should not smell or attract pests. Residents
of Howard County can get a free compost bin by calling the
number at the end of this document!
2. Put the compost bin somewhere in your yard where it can be easily accessed. It should not be in direct sunlight, or complete
shade all day. Instead, try to position the bin such that it receives sun for half the day and is in shade for the other half. Once the bin is
placed, you can start composting! Put the compost in your bin. You can compost many materials such as apple cores, banana peels,
grass clippings and many other organic materials. Never compost meats; this will smell and attract pests!
3. Put soil into your compost bin with your compost material. This introduces micro-organisms that can start decomposing!
4. Every few days, you should turn your compost with a shovel for quicker results. Also, your compost may need to be watered
occasionally. Dry compost is harder to decompose, but compost and the organisms in the soil should not be drowned with water. The
compost should only be watered so that it is slightly dampened. It is important that micro and macro-organisms have access to water
so that they are able to survive, and continue the decomposition process. However, this is not required.
5. In 2-6 months, your compost should be completely decomposed, appearing as a rich potting soil would. If you turn and water
your compost it should decompose more quickly. This may be added to plant pots and near plant roots so that the plants can
absorb the additional nutrients for better plant health. But not only does composting improve plant growth, it also keeps materials out
of landfills (20-30% of landfills contain organic waste).
What can be composted?
Many things from your kitchen, yard, and house can and should be composted. However remember not to compost meat, or any waste
from pets that are carnivorous. All pet wastes that are composted must be from herbivores. Still, you can compost much more than you
think. Make sure that your compost bin contains a mixture of green and brown materials. Ratio: (brown) 3 to 1 (green).
Brown Materials: compost materials that are high in carbon, which is
Green Materials: compost materials that are high in
nitrogen and are an important source of protein for microbes important in providing energy for microbes in your compost bin
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banana peels
orange peels
apple cores
grass clippings
coffee grounds
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plants and plant cuttings
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leaves
weeds
egg shells
tea bags
sawdust
wood ashes
straw
What benefits come from composting your organic waste?
Environmental:
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compost prevents erosion by absorbing more water than regular soil
compost remediates contaminated soils
compost prevents pollutants in storm-water runoff from coming in contact with surface water resources
composting keeps organic material out of landfills
Economic:
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compost can be used as a substitute for potting soil
compost prevents the need to purchase pesticides and fertilizer
compost provides a cost-free alternative to conventional methods in which contaminated soils can be remediated
Garden:
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compost retains more water than regular soil
compost provides more necessary nutrients to plants than regular soil
What organisms can I find in my compost bin?
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Micro-organisms: organisms that help break down items in your compost
bin that can only be seen under a microscope (such as bacteria)
Macro-organisms: organisms that help break down items in your compost
bin that can be seen with the naked eye (such as worms, snails, flies, etc.)
How can I tell if my compost is decomposing properly?
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your compost bin does not smell or attract animals, meaning that your compost bin has aeration
after a couple days, the materials in your compost bin will settle so that their seems to be less compost, meaning that your
compost material is "cooking" properly
your compost is slightly dampened
you turn your compost once a week with a shovel (not required)
Residents of Howard County:
Get a free compost bin by calling 410-313-6444!
http://www.howardcountymd.gov/Composting.htm
Bonhotal, Jean, and Marianne Krasny. "Composting: Wastes to Resources." Experience 4-H Natural Resources: 1-15. Print.
"Brown Composting Materials." Compost Info Guide. Compost-Info-Guide.com, 2012. Web. 20 July 2012.
"Building Your Compost Pile." Composting for the Homeowner. N.p., n.d.. Web. 20 July 2012.
"Compost." Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com, LLC., 2012. Web. 20 July 2012.
Environmental Protection Agency. "Composting: Environmental Benefits." U.S. Environmental protection Agency. Environmental Protection Agency, 03 Nov. 2011. Web. 4 Oct.
2011.
"Green Composting Materials." Compost Info Guide. Compost-Info-Guide.com, 2012. Web. 20 July 2012.
Meyer, Scott. Interview by Ron Corning. How to make compost- Making your own compost 14 Apr. 2009. Video.
San Mateo County RecycleWorks. "What is Composting?" RecycleWorks. San Mateo County RecycleWorks, 2012. Web. 27 Nov. 2011.
"The Science of Composting." Composting for the Homeowner. N.p., n.d.. Web. 20 July 2012.