Composting
The composting process requires:
- Organic material
- Moisture
- Air
- Soil organisms
You do not have to do much more than alternate layers of organic waste: green (high nitrogen) materials and brown (high carbon) materials. Thin layers of soil can be added if needed. This will increase the number of soil organisms in the pile. Keep moist and turn frequently to provide an adequate air supply.
The composting process will be more effective if you follow these suggestions.
To get started, make a layer of leaves or other brown vegetation. Then add a layer of green plant material. Add kitchen wastes as they accumulate. Dig these into the pile or cover with a thin layer of soil.
Continue adding material, alternating layers of brown material, green yard waste and kitchen waste. Brown yard waste is generally high in carbon. Kitchen scraps and fresh yard waste are high in nitrogen. Both carbon and nitrogen are needed to build a balanced compost pile. Fine materials such as grass clippings should be added in thin layers so that they do not compact.
Keep the material as moist as a wrung-out sponge. Covering the pile with a plastic sheet may help to retain moisture. Water the pile occasionally if it becomes too dry.
Turn the pile every few weeks or whenever it becomes compacted, too wet, or develops an odour. A garden fork, commercial aerator, rake or pitchfork can be used to keep the pile properly turned and aerated. Mix the material from the edges of the pile into the middle for more even decomposition.
Excerpts from the publication, Alberta Taking Action Through Backyard Composting to Reduce Household Waste used with permission of Alberta Environment.
Frequently asked questions
What is composting?
Composting is a biological process that breaks down kitchen, lawn, and garden wastes into soil-like material called humus.
Why should I compost?
Waste management is everyone's business and the best place to begin is right in your own backyard. Up to 52 percent of your household waste is organic matter which can be composted, thereby saving scarce landfill space. At the same time, composting produces a rich soil supplement which improves plant growth by:
- Helping to break down heavy clay soils;
- Adding water and nutrient-holding capacity to sandy soils; and,
- Adding essential nutrients to the soil.
What can I compost?
Yard waste such as grass clippings, fallen leaves, weeds before they seed and the remains of disease-free garden plants make excellent compost. You can also compost kitchen scraps such as fruit and vegetable peels and trimmings, egg shells and coffee grounds. Don't compost meat, bones or fatty foods such as cheese, salad dressing or leftover cooking oil, as they may attract pests or contribute to odour problems. Woody yard waste can be chopped or shredded for mulch or pathmaking.
How long will it take?
This will vary depending on the materials and conditions. If your kitchen and yard waste is in small pieces, the process will be faster. Frequent turning to aerate the pile, and keeping the pile moist, will also speed the process. Some composting methods will produce compost in two months; others will take two years or more.
Will it smell?
A compost pile that is properly aerated and working well should not have an unpleasant odour. If it does, the material may be too wet or compacted. Turn the pile frequently to ensure that it is well aerated. Adding dry leaves will help absorb excess moisture. Dig food wastes into the pile or cover them with a thin layer of soil.
What is the best location for composting?
Your composter may be in a sunny or shady area. If it is in a sunny area you will have to check more often to see that it does not dry out. The composter can be on soil or concrete.
Can I compost in winter?
The composting process slows down in cold weather, but you can continue to add material to the pile throughout the winter. In spring, the process becomes active again, and compost is created faster than at any other time of year. This is because the freeze and thaw cycle actually helps break down the organic matter.
Can I compost pet waste?
No. Dog, cat and animal feces may contain organisms that can cause disease to humans.
Will composting attract animals?
If properly maintained, the compost should not attract animals. To lessen this risk:
- Either dig the food waste in immediately or cover it with soil.
- Do not add meat scraps or fat to your compost pile.
- Take all measures outlined in this information to ensure fast composting - the correct mix of materials and a balance of air and moisture.
- If these measures do not work, use a container with a cover. Secure it with hinges and a latch. You can also line the bin with .5 - 1 cm galvanized wire mesh, 16 - 20 gauge in strength. Secure wire mesh across the bottom of the bin.
How can I discourage flies?
Fruit flies and soil gnats are decomposer organisms that actually help make compost. You can discourage them, however, by digging in food waste or covering it with soil when adding it to the pile.
Can I compost wood ashes?
Yes. Wood ashes from a fireplace or stove are a good source of potash. Add them in thin layers. Do not, however, compost charcoal or coal ashes.
Can I compost weeds?
To prevent contaminating the soil with weed seeds, avoid putting ripened weeds in the compost heap. If the weeds are green and the seeds are not mature, they may be added. Avoid adding quack grass segments or roots to the heap. You should also keep out any material that is diseased or has been recently sprayed with a pesticide.
What about grass clippings?
Large volumes of grass in spring and early summer can be difficult to handle. There are a number of techniques that can help.
Ideally, grass clippings should be left on the lawn after cutting - also known as 'grasscycling'. This will return valuable nutrients, including nitrogen, to the soil and reduce the need for fertilizer. Grass should be cut frequently (every 5 - 6 days during fast growing periods), or when it is 6 - 8 cm. No more than one-third of the blade (2.5 cm) should be cut at any one time.
Excess clippings can be dried briefly in the sun before being added to the compost pile.
Clippings can be mixed with last year's decaying leaves in a ratio of 2 parts grass to 1 part leaves.
What can I do with leaves?
In the fall, save your leaves in a dry location to add to grass clippings over the summer. Leaves can also be used as a mulch around plants or shrubs or dug into the soil.
Strathcona County looks to partner with local not for profit groups twice a year to sell compost. Look for fundraising opportunities and sale dates in the spring and fall.
Last updated: Thursday, March 15, 2012
Page ID: 5219