Why and How to Compost

7/24/2014

Composting can have lots of environmental benefits as well as saving money on purchasing fertilisers that do a lot of damage to the earth and the atmosphere. It is also easy to do and reduces the amount of waste sent needlessly to landfill.

Why compost?

·         It saves water by helping the soil hold moisture and reduce water runoff

·         Benefits the environment by recycling the organic resources thus reducing the amount that goes to landfill

·         Reduces the need for commercial soil conditioners and fertilisers

Benefits

·         Adds nutrients and beneficial microbes, holds water, improves plant growth

·         Provides supplemental amount of slow-release nutrients

·         Increases soil organic matter

·         Encourages healthy root structure

·         Lightens clay soils and helps sandy soils hold water

·         Attracts and feeds earthworms and other beneficial soil microorganisms

·         Helps balance ph level of the soil

·         Helps control soil erosion

·         Protects plants from droughts and freezes

·         Decreases use of petrochemical fertilisers

·         Moderates soil temperature and reduces weeds

Ways to use compost

Can be used in different varieties in order to have different effects. The four main uses of compost are mulch, topdressing, coil amendment and organic fertiliser.

1.      Mix the compost into a flower bed and vegetable garden planting area to improve the soil properties leading to greater results. To do this mix a 3- to 4- inch layer of compost into newly reclaimed or poor soils before planting. In annual garden beds try to mix ½- an inch to 3- inches of compost into the beds at least once a year but more so if the weather is particularly severe or the area has poor nutritional soil values. Do not plant trees in small holes that are filled with compost as this may restrict the growth of the roots and damage the trees potential.

2.      In order to create good mulch spread 1-to 4- inches of course compost around flowers, shrubs trees and vegetable patches. To make the best mulches it is best to use larger particle sizes within the compost. Appling and retaining a 3-inch layer of coarse compost around trees and shrubs is also recommended but it is necessary to keep the compost at least one foot away from the tree trunk in order to reduce any root restriction.

3.       To top dress the lawn, evenly spread a ¼- to ½-inch layer of compost over established grass. Warning- this should only be done on high end lawns for cool species such as tall fescue grass as these are not mowed as short as warm-season grasses.

4.      If you don’t have a garden compost can also be used for indoor and outdoor plants by sprinkling a layer over the houseplants or make a potting soil using one part compost, one part sand, one part ground bark and one part peat moss. Alternatively compost can be given to friends with larger gardens.

What to compost

Browns	Greens
Most sawdust	Teas bags
Chopped woody prunings	Citrus rinds
Pine needles	Coffee grounds
Fallen/dried leaves	Coffee filters
Dried grass	Shrub and grass clippings
Straw	Fruit waste
Shredded paper	Vegetable waste
Shredded cardboard	Wilted flowers
Shredded newspaper	Young weeds
Old potting mix

What NOT to compost

·         Dirt

·         Ashes from stoves, fireplaces or barbeques

·         Animal products (meat, bones, fish, grease)

·         Dairy products

·         Sawdust from plywood/treated wood

·         Diseased plants

·         Seed-bearing weeds e.g. Ivy

·         Manure or human waste

Composting Basics

·         Chop materials ½ to 1 ½ inches for rapid composting

·         Mix equal volumes of carbon-rich dry BROWN and nitrogen-rich GREEN plant materials to give the compost the balance of both

·         The compost should never be wetter than a wrung-out sponge

·         Turn every few days to air the compost

·         A hot pile composts more quickly than a cool pile- the majority of composting occurs when the temperature ranges between 38 degrees and 66 degrees as this is when the rate of organic matter decomposition is maximised and indicator species of pathogens are reduced to non-detectable levels.

·         Finished compost should not smell rancid but instead have an earthy aroma

How to make the compost

1.      If you don’t fancy building a compost heap try a compost bin as they are compact, they are perfect for smaller gardens and yards. This is the best way to start off composting if you are new to the concept as it requires less work to get started. It’s best to site it on a level, well-drained spot, which will ensure that any excess water drains away easily. This also helps worms to get in and get on with the job of breaking down the content.

2.      Begin to add the ingredients making sure that you get a good mix of brown and green waste in order to maximise the different nutrients.

3.      Once a decent amount has been added it is best to start to turn the compost in order to oxidise the different layers. Turing the compost will speed up the process but make sure that the compost is covered afterwards in order to stop rain getting in on the heap and in addition, keeping a cover on will help to maintain the heat required.

4.      The smell will be the main giveaway as to when the compost is ready to be used as it will turn slightly sweet smelling as well as turning brown and crumbly. Once the compost is ready it can be used in the ways described above.