Compost 101

Published: Thu, 18 Aug 2011 09:57:43

By: CL Fornari

The Basics of Composting

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Find the method the works for you.

• Enclosed bins keep animals out of kitchen garbage.

• Put all fruit and vegetable garbage in your compost. You can also add coffee (plus filters) tea bags, paper towels and even shredded newspaper. Don’t add meat, dairy or animal waste.

• Leaves can be composted separately if you have too many for your bin – put them in a pile after they fall and empty the bin the next autumn. These partly composted leaves are what British gardeners call “leaf mold” and they make perfect soil amendments and mulch. For faster decomposition, chop the leaves with a lawn mower first.

• Oak leaves, pine needles and coffee grounds do not make soil more acidic…in the composting process pH is neutralized.

• If possible, aim for a mix of “greens and browns.” Fresh, green things are high in nitrogen and dried, brown things are high in carbon: a balance of these two composts most efficiently. Too many “greens” may smell (think about a pile of fresh grass clippings) and too many “browns” take longer to break down. Don’t let this deter you, however. Green or brown, it all rots eventually...just be sure not to keep your compost too wet, and turning it occasionally speeds it up.

• You can compost right in your garden: dig a hole and place your kitchen garbage right into the soil. Cover with dirt and dig another hole for tomorrow’s garbage. This is especially successful in vegetable gardens, but you could also use the same method in the space around shrubs or perennials.