Composting Basics

Compost is what you get when yard and garden debris, kitchen scraps and other organic materials have completely broken down into a rich, dark, crumbly material. Gardeners call it “black gold,” because it is so rich in nutrients and adds so much value when added to your soil. Finished compost is often called humus. In the right conditions, bacteria and other microorganisms quickly break down organic material into rich, fertile earth that you can in turn add to your soil to increase it’s fertility and health. After the organisms have completed their task, the finished product is a dark compost that is rich in minerals and micro-nutrients that is ready to be added to your plants.

Aside from fertilizing your plants (chemical free!), composting keeps waste out of landfills; just think of it as recycling. Instead of plastic bottles and aluminum cans, it’s dead leaves and veggie peels. It is cheap and easy to learn, but there is a little bit of an art to it that comes with practice. Breaking down waste requires the right amount of moisture, heat, soil aeration and a proper mix of materials.

Location and Appearance
First you’ll need to select your location for composting. Where you put it depends on function and aesthetics. In terms of appearances and good relations with your neighbors, you probably don’t want to place your bin on your front lawn. Your neighbors will appreciate a more behind-the-scenes location. Instead, opt for the backyard. Close to the garden and a water source are both good places for building your compost pile or bin since it will be easier to move the materials to and from the garden and easier to keep it moist. Another idea may be to place it near your kitchen to make it convenient to place table scraps on the pile or in the bin.

Bin or Pile, Buy or Build?
It’s entirely up to you whether you purchase a compost bin or build your own. A wide variety of compost bins and tumblers are available for backyard composting. They vary in price, style and function but all are designed to help you compost more efficiently. If you don’t want to purchase a bin, you can build your own using cement blocks, brick, wood or pallets and wire. If you have adequate outdoor space and are willing to wait a little longer for the finished compost, simply start heaping your compost in a corner of the yard.

What to Compost
Now that you’re ready to start making compost, you need to know what materials can and cannot be used in the compost bin or pile. You need to provide food, air and water. The water and air are easy; the food is a little more complex. Food for your little micro friends consists of two classes of materials, simply referred to as “Greens” and “Browns.” Green materials are high in nitrogen, while brown materials are high in carbon. The green materials provide protein for the micro bugs, while the brown materials provide energy.

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