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The right temperature. Ever
notice how quickly things go 'bad' in warm - weather? For the
purposes of composting, the warmer it gets, the better. In a
cool environment, the composting process slows down. The internal
temperature of a compost pile is also important. When the process
of decomposition is at its peak, the compost will tend to generate
quite a bit of heat. In a sense it's 'cooking'.
The right C:N ratio. This is
the proportion of carbon to nitrogen in your compost unit. This
ratio will affect the speed of decomposition. Ideally, your C:N
ratio should be thirty to one. Grass clippings, plant trimmings
and kitchen scraps are high in nitrogen. Sawdust, straw, wood
chips and dry leaves are high in carbon - A mixture of kitchen
and yard waste should give you close to the ideal ratio.
The right container, you should
use a compost unit. You can build your own or buy one from your
local hardware store or garden supply center. Some municipalities
offer composters at a special price, to encourage their residents
to use them.
Building a composter
Building your own composter
will allow you to design a unit to suit your specific needs.
A composter can be made of wood, concrete blocks, wire mesh or
almost any material you have available. The three most essential
features in a composter are:
a lid that protects the pile
from rain and snow and allows you to control how much moisture
gets in;
holes or vents to allow air
circulation;
and a means of removing the
final product.
Here are some design ideas:
a wire mesh bin with a hinged
front panel;
a three-sided cement block bin with an open front that will allow
you to turn the pile and remove the finished compost easily;
a circular unit made from chicken wire or snow fencing that can
be opened up to collect the finished compost;
a wooden pallet or two-by-four box with a lid and spaces for
ventilation a metal barrel or garbage can with holes punched
in the side and the bottom removed;
or for more advanced enthusiasts, a unit with several compartments
can be used to manage compost at different stages - raw materials,
active piles and finished product.
Put your unit in a level, well-drained, accessible area. If you
live in a part of the country that has winter weather, make sure
you can get to your composter all year round.
Add other organic materials
in layers no deeper than 5 centimeters. Cover each successive
layer of organic material with about 5 centimeters of ordinary
garden soil. This contains micro-organisms that will accelerate
the process: A layer of soil also helps to mask any odors.
Pour water onto the pile until
it is about as moist as a wrung out sponge. Turn the pile once
a week to mix all the materials evenly and expose them to air.
Continue to add material as you go along. Always remember to
cover new material with a layer of soil and to keep the pile
moist.
If conditions are right, your
compost pile will begin to heat up, eventually reaching an internal
temperature of about 60-70 C. The pile will actually feel hot
to the touch. As the chemical reactions-slow down, the pile will
begin to cool to about 40-45 C. The decomposition process is
then complete The finished product will be a dark, rich, soil-like
substance with a good earthy smell. (Do you have a commercially
built unit? follow the operating instructions.)
HOW TO GET STARTED
You don't have to run to the
composter every time you peel a potato. Many people keep their
kitchen wastes under the sink in a large plastic container with
a resealable lid and a handle. When the container is full, they
empty it into the compost pile. This reduces the number of trips
they have to make. If you have yard waste, find a suitable area
to keep the materials until you can add them to the compost pile.
When you rake up the dead leaves on your lawn, store them in
bags so that you can add them to the compost File at regular
intervals rather than all at once in the fall. Place bulky loose
materials like twigs, woody
plant cuttings and sticks at the bottom of the bin. This will
let air circulate through the pile.
HELPFUL Hints
Be patient. Different materials
will decompose at different rates but they will all break down
eventually. If you want to speed things up, use smaller pieces.
Leaves and grass tend to clump
together when wet. To avoid this, allow grass clippings and leaves
to dry out before putting them in your composter. Adding small
amounts at a time and mixing them with dry materials will also
help.
It may be easier to use two
composters one for new materials and one for ingredients that
are already cooking.
In warmer climates, your composter
may continue to 'cook' (at a slower rate) through the winter,
so you can keep adding new materials. In colder climates, keep
adding materials. When the temperature rises-in spring, the process
will start again.
When you have enough finished
compost, mix it into your soil and spread it evenly throughout
your garden.
Troubleshooting
Is compost giving-you a rotten
time? Try one of these quick fixes:
Problem, Cause, Solution
Pile not heating up, Not enough
moisture -or- lack of nitrogen
Solution Turn the pile and moisten, Add nitrogen-rich,material
like grass, leaves or manure
Compost smells bad, Not enough
air or too wet, Solution: Add nitrogen-rich,material like grass,
leaves or manure
Pile is soggy, Too much wet
material, Solution: Turn the pile; Mix in dry materials; Turn
to allow air to circulate. |
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