A friend asked me some questions about composting. As I was providing ideas, I realized other people may have similar questions. Composting is relatively easy. It, like other things in life,
My first composting experience began with a pile I used it to compost yard waste and keep it out of the landfill. Eventually, the pile graduated to a backyard bin. As I became more experienced and overcame the concerns, I have learned to incorporate more wastes into my compost pile. I have also learned a few things that probably should not be composted. Here are some ideas to consider for your own backyard composting site.
Location
There are two main considerations you want to consider when finding a location for composting:
- Amount of sun or shade
- Pets or pests
Sun or Shade
Your composting area needs to be exposed to at least some sunshine. The sun’s rays heat up the ingredients. This heating helps the bacteria, fungus, and other organisms break down your compost. Your goal is to keep the process moving without overheating the ingredients. Total sun exposure may cause overheating in the summer. Composting at high heat will require moisture be added to your mixture and it may cause your ingredients to break down unevenly.
Also, remember, composting takes place all year long. If your weather is warmer year-round, your compost areas will require more shade, and vice versa in colder climates. I find it much more difficult to get things to break down in the winter than to slow things down in the summer. You want at least some sun to keep the process moving, so plan accordingly, based on your climate and availability of sunlight.
Pets or Pests
Pets and pests need to be factored into play when locating your composting area and when using the compost. When locating your composting area, if pets have access to the same area, it will need to be covered. The same goes for pests. If you have pests like raccoons, birds, and other scavengers, be careful where you locate your area. At worst, if you place it in an open area that ends up being bothered by pests or neighbor’s pets, you may need to enclose it then.
Container
Speaking of enclosures, your next decision point will be to put your composting ingredients in a bin or leave them out to the elements in a pile. There are a host of factors to consider in whether you use a pile or a bin. Here are a couple of ideas of situations that call for one or the other:
Pile
A compost pile works well when you have a large backyard and not a ton of neighbors. If you are going to compost primarily garden waste (grass clippings, leaves, straw, ashes, etc., you don’t need to go get a bin. Find an out of the way spot and start a pile. If you will be adding ingredients that may be food for an animal, you probably want to close it in.
Bin
The main advantage of a bin is to keep out pests and to keep in the heat and potential smell generated from decomposing materials. A bin also can help maintain the aesthetic value of your backyard, particularly if you live in a neighborhood.
A bin does not have to be expensive. I repurposed an old storage bin we had been using for seat cushions and outdoor items. I simply took the bottom off and put it in the proper spot. If you do not have an old bin, you might look at your local second-hand store for something to use. Here’s an article with 45 do-it-yourself compost bin ideas. Some are a bit hokey, but one might kick-start an idea in your head.
Many people are scared away from composting due to how they think it will look and/or they do not want to offend the neighbors. Both of these issues can be easily solved by the correct placement of a bin filled with the proper ingredients following proper maintenance. Read on for more ideas on proper ingredients.
Contents
Placing your compost in a bin opens you up to composting much more than garden and yard waste. Quite simply, here are the things that I do and will not compost. You may find other ideas on-line of what to add and not to add. For example, here is an article from Planet Natural with ideas for carbon and nitrogen ingredients. I encourage you to research and experiment with different ingredients in your compost pile.
Yes
I add leaves and grass clippings from my garden. I also add ashes from my fire pit. From the kitchen, I add vegetable remains, rotting fruits, egg shells, coffee grounds, and tea bags. I also add plain white paper, paper towels, tissues, and cardboard from toilet rolls and paper towels.
No
Here are the things I leave out of my compost: meat and dairy products, dog feces, weeds, glossy paper, and junk mail. I have attempted to compost wine corks to no avail. Some dog feces may be ok if you are composting it fully before using it in the garden, and then, you do not want to use it on edible vegetation. I also do not compost the remains of my wildflowers, like Black-eyed Susans. I bundle those up and take them over to my friend’s woods and compost them there.
Your goal with the yes or no, is to keep the pile composting evenly and do not invite ants or other pests to your compost. Foods that do not break down create a mess. Once you experience that situation, you will amend your ingredient list and move forward accordingly.
Maintenance
I like to go out every two weeks or so and turn over the compost in my pile. During the summer months, you should do it more frequently, like once per week. When turning the pile, I first aerate all of the contents in the bin. Then, I move the compost from one side and put it on top of the other. The void created is where I will be dumping my fresh compostable ingredients until I turn the compost in a week or two. Feel free to design your own turning regimen.
As you turn over the compost, assess the moisture level and the heat in your pile. If the compost does not have enough moisture, decomposition will take longer. If you have too much moisture, your compost will smell poorly. Your compost should be damp. If you feel it is too dry, add water. If it seems wet, add grass clippings or a good mix of “greens and browns” to dry it out. The proper moisture level is critical to keep things decomposing at a good rate.
You are feeding your compost every time you add new organic material. If you feed your pile too much food, your results will be unfavorable. It is similar to when you eat too much. Eventually everything breaks down, however, it’s an uncomfortable process. Overfeeding causes too much to be processed at one time and limits the nourishment derived from the meal. Feed your pile steadily and avoid overheating to achieve the best compost to use.
Usage
I use my finished organic matter around bushes, trees, and flowers in my front yard to keep it away from children and pets. Even though it is finished, there is usually some seeds or could be other organisms which should not be consumed. The organic matter should be spread evenly and not too thick around plants. If you prefer, the organic material may be covered with mulch to maintain aesthetics.
Composting reduces Landfills
My goal in composting is to keep biodegradable resources out of my trash cans and out of our landfills. My compost bin functions extremely well in breaking down these materials and allowing me to put them back into my gardens as organic material.
As you learn and research along your own composting path, please feel free to leave comments or recommendations in the comments section. All of the readers would enjoy your perspective, pictures, and learnings. Thanks!