Introduction and Tips for Compositing

How to Start Home Composting

At first, getting into composting may seem daunting. Do you really need a $400 composter to get off the ground? The simple answer is, no. The only things you really need for composting are items to compost! You can compost in a high end composter, a wooden box, or in a simple pile that can be left undisturbed for a good long while.

First, let’s take a look at what you can compost:

• Anything made of plant material : That means your vegetable scraps, your lawn clippings, even thin paper napkins. Paper plates can be composted, but due to their thicker size, take much longer so you should have a pre-breakdown site for those.
• Livestock waste : certain animal wastes are good for compost, such as livestock or chicken, and add to the overall quality of the soil. These provide bacteria that accelerate the composting process. Any animal that is primarily a non-meat eater is considered acceptable.

And what can you not compost? :

• Meat Products : Meat is not compostable for the home composter because of the negative bacteria that can come with the breakdown of animal matter, so make sure you scoop that out.
• Human or cat waste : This may seem obvious, but with the use of camping compostable toilets some people do get confused. Both of these have bacteria that can remain in the soil. For these reasons, it is best to skip them entirely.
• Metal or petroleum products : Neither one of these can be broken down by the home composter and should be avoided.

Now that you know what you can and can’t compost, here are the steps involved in turning your scrap waste into rich soil.

1) Have a bucket in the house for compostables only. Every time you make food or finish a meal, add compostables to your bucket.
2) Once a day take your compostables to your compost site and add them right to the top of the pile.
3) Twice a week you need to turn your compost. This process ensures that you will have even decomposition without soggy or dry spots. For some, this is easily accomplished with a pitchfork or shovel and good old fashioned sweat. Just flip the pile over and mix it around. If you need help, a rolling or rotating composter is a better choice. They are more expensive, but are easier to use.
4) It can take several months to get fully composted soil so this is a practice for the patient. With some of the rolling or tumbling composters that time can be cut in half, so use your time commitment as another way of choosing your preferred composting method.

Whatever your reasons for starting to compost, congratulations for joining one of the oldest, most sustainable gardening methods there is.

Category: Compositing, Gardens