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Taking care of the environment falls upon each of our shoulders.
Even a small step towards green living can positively impact our ecosystem.
Recycling organic waste into compost is one such step that can benefit our beloved planet.
But people often think that composting is difficult.
We assure you, its not.
Hence, if you are intimidated by composting, theres no need to feel that way.
So, lets go step-by-step and understand what is composting and how to do it.
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Image credit:Mary Jane Duford
What is Composting, in Simple Words?
Composting is basically recycling for food scraps and plants.
As per the natural cycle, any growing organic matter must decompose.
This valuable fertilizer is called compost.
S. Environmental Protection Agency(EPA), wasted food causes 58% of methane emissions from public landfills.
However, using food scraps and yard residue for composting can help reduce methane emissions and personal food waste.
They are vital for the healthy growth of garden plants.
Using compost is much better than opting for chemical fertilizers, ascompost improves the soils healthand the crops productivity.
It can also break the compacted soil and improve the soil structure, reducing the risk of erosion.
What Can You Compost?
The right organic matter or ingredients play a crucial role in composting.
So, here is the complete list of what you’re free to and cant compost.
Check it properly before you kick off composting.
YES
NO
*These organic materials might attract animals.
^Although you shouldnt compost these organic materials at home, community composting facilities might accept them.
Check with your local composting facility in advance.
When you compost at home, you get all the benefits right on your doorstep.
Sounds highly convenient, doesnt it?
Its your go-to process if you have less waste and less time.
However, this process might not reach the required temperature to eliminate the pathogens during decomposition.
Due to this, your compost might contain some residualharmful pathogens.
*Anaerobic refers to the process where the decomposing organismscan live without airor oxygen.
It requires the appropriate balance of air, water, carbon, nitrogen, and the right temperature.
If everything is balanced correctly, the high temperature willdestroy harmful pathogens, giving you the perfect compost.
*Aerobic refers to the process where the decomposing organismsneed airor oxygen.
Hence, its often considered more advantageous.
Carbon is present in all compostable materials.
Nitrogen is one of the fundamental and essential elements for the life and development of plants and animals.
Fresh organic materials or greens often exhibit a higher nitrogen-to-carbon ratio.
The right amount of nitrogen in your home compost pile will ensure faster growth and reproduction of the decomposers.
Some household greens include fruit or vegetable scraps or coffee grounds.
Use a closed container to store them in yourkitchen.
Note:Too many greens might create a slimy and stinky pile.
To avoid that, dont go beyond the recommended ratio.
Carbon is the essential food that keeps the decomposers alive while they do their work.
Brown plant materials exhibit a higher percentage of carbon.
Some common browns include dry leaves, twigs, and branches.
you’re free to keep an area outside to store them.
During summers, turn your pile at least once a week.
Come winter, you could reduce it to once every three or four weeks.
Aeration also helps in reducing the odor.
Ensure your pile is as wet as a wrung-out sponge to maintain moisture.
In case of a dry pile, you’re free to add a little bit of water.
In that case, just add carbon-rich browns.
The temperatures of a well-maintained pile can peak up to 130 to 160F.
High temperatures accelerate the aerobic composting process and kill lingering pathogens or weed seeds.
If the piles temperature doesnt rise, add some greens and turn the pile.
The central decomposers wont get enough air if the pile exceeds five cubic feet.
Your compost location should be dry and shady with good drainage so it doesnt get too soggy during monsoons.
A spot with direct sunlight during winter is also ideal.
Step 2:Start your compost pile by adding a four to six-inch layer of browns.
Keep the food scraps covered and buried with around eight inches of browns.
Step 4:Examine the pile for maintained moisture, aeration, temperature, and odor.
Make adjustments and additions as necessary.
Step 5:Occasionally, turn and mix your compost pile to speed up the decomposition.
Step 6:Mixing or turning will no longer heat the pile after a while.
When food scraps are no longer visible, let your pile cure or finish.
Curing might take more than four weeks.
After curing, the pile will reduce to one-third of its initial size.
Step 7:A properly maintained pile will turn into finished, ready-to-use compost in about three months.
Sometimes, it might take longer than that.
It should smell and look like fresh soil.
However, if you notice any materials that didnt break down, sift the finished compost.
Note:Ensure your pile is safe from flies, pests, and rodents.
Use fly traps to protect your indoor compost pile.
Maintaining the balance of browns, greens, air, and moisture will keep deterring most pests.
Ensure you drill proper holes for airflow and drainage.
However, the holes should not be so large that rodents can enter the bin!
Use hardware to keep the pallets together.
you could make it close or open and use it for hot or cold composting.
This process requires low maintenance and, when done properly, gives a nutrient-rich vermicompost.
it’s possible for you to either build your own bin or buy one.
If you keep it outdoors, keep it warm with blankets during winter.
The worms thrive in temperatures 59 to 77F.
Step 2:Once you place the bin at the fixed location, start with the bedding.
Take dry leaves, non-glossy paper, or cardboard and shred them.
Soak these materials for ten minutes, then wring them out.
It should feel like a moist sponge.
Fill the bin almost halfway with this moist bedding and top it with a fistful of soil.
Step 3:Purchase red wriggler worms (Eisenia fetida), which are ideal for vermicomposting.
Initially, place around 1000 worms on the bedding.
Dont feed them citrus fruits, greasy or odorous food, dairy products, pet waste, or bones.
Step 5:Cover the food scraps with two inches of bedding every time.
Step 6:Once the worms start reproducing, you could increase their feeding amount.
However, ensure they have eaten the previous food scraps before giving them new food.
Its probably the easiest composting method as it requires no maintenance.
Trench composting enables the nearby plants to develop a root system that conserves water.
As the waste is underground, it doesnt stink.
you might do trench composting any time of the year, provided that the soil remains manageable.
Unlike the other composting methods, this one is unlikely to attract animals and insects.
So, pick a spot where you want the nutrients to enrich the soil.
Avoid digging next to established root systems, as this could harm plants that grow there.
Step 3:Ensure your organic waste is moist enough and place it in the hole.
Note:Like all cold composting methods, trench composting is slow.
Its not ideal for ongoing composting as it requires digging your yard regularly.
It also takes up a lot of space as you cant compost in the same spot twice.
Moreover, you cant plant anything above the trench top as the soil sinks during decomposing.
Only cured compost, which is finished and ready for use, ensures optimal benefits.
Finished compost will be crumbly and look and smell like fresh soil with a dark and rich color.
Heres how you’re able to use it:
Note:Old compost might lose some nutrients.
However, compost can never go bad.
So, are you ready to make this black gold?
Clearing Your Doubts About Composting (FAQ)
What is the Easiest Way to Compost?
Cold composting is the easiest way to compost since its so low maintenance, but its got its downsides.
It tends to retain harmful pathogens and is extremely slow.
Can Meat Be Composted?
Meat can be composted in trench composting as it gets buried underground.
However, avoid composting it in an outdoor bin as it might attract insects and animals.
Is it Better to Compost in the Sun or Shade?
you might keep a regular compost bin in the sun.
Just ensure to add a little water if it gets too dry.
Shaded spots are better for worms and vermicompost bins.
