Composting Solutions
What is Composting?
Composting is a natural decomposition process that turns organic materials into a rich soil amendment. Leaves, grass clippings, weed, and other yard and vegetable trimmings can be composted. Depending on how much attention you devote to your compost pile, it can take as little as two weeks to as much as a year to generate compost. Most households can have finished compost in about three months.
Composting is a natural decomposition process that turns organic materials into a rich soil amendment. Leaves, grass clippings, weed, and other yard and vegetable trimmings can be composted. Depending on how much attention you devote to your compost pile, it can take as little as two weeks to as much as a year to generate compost. Most households can have finished compost in about three months.
A Crash Course in Composting
A basic compost pile needs carbons (browns), nitrogen (greens), water, and oxygen. Carbon is dry material such as wood chips, dried leaves, dried grass, and shredded paper. Nitrogen is fresh moist material such as fresh grass cuttings and kitchen food scraps.
Perfect Pile - like a cake
- 3x3, 4x4, or 5x5 in size
- Base (plate) - sticks or pallet, lets the air in the bottom of the pile
- Carbon (cake part) - @ 7" - leaves, wood chips, shredded paper
- Nitrogen (icing) - @1" - grass, food wastes
- Shovel full of soil or compost (sprinkles) - adds microbes needed to help "jump start" compost
- Water (chocolate glaze) - wet, but if squeezed, no water comes out.
Things to make compost faster
- Do not turn for first 10 days
- Number one mistake is too little/much water
- Needs a 30:1 carbon: nitrogen ratio
- Location - shade, move around if near trees or roots will be growing into and "stealing" nutrients
Stir the pile about once a week and add more water if necessary. Stirring ensures that all areas of the pile receive necessary oxygen, distributes heat, and also prevents bad odors. A pile that is decomposing properly should generate temperatures of 140°-160°F at its center. This heat will kill most weeds, plant diseases and insect eggs.
When the compost is finished, the pile will no longer heat. Large piles generate more heat than a small pile. If your pile is not heating up properly, don't worry. A cool compost pile will still generate good compost, but it may take several months. A hot pile can generate finished compost faster and kills weeds, plant disease and insect eggs.
What to Put in a Compost Pile
Almost all organic food scraps and yard waste scraps can be added to a compost pile with good results. The smaller the pieces are when they are added to your compost pile, the quicker they will decompose.
- leaves, grass clippings, plant stalks, vines, twigs and branches
- fruit and vegetable scraps
- coffee grounds
- eggshells and nutshells
- hair clippings, feathers, straw
- drier lint, moisten first
What Not to Put in a Compost Pile
Materials should NOT be composted if they promote disease, cause odors, attract pests, or create other nuisances. Some examples are as follows:
- meat, fish, poultry, dairy products
- foods containing animal fats
- human/pet (dog, cat)/bird feces
- weeds with developed seed heads
- plants infected with or highly susceptible to disease, such as roses and peonies
- charcoal ash, contains sulfur dioxide which can harm plants
What to Compost in Small Amounts
- fireplace/wood ashes, a source of lime that can lead to ammonia odors
- sawdust - requires that you add extra nitrogen
- plants treated with herbicides/pesticides, requires lots of time for thorough chemical decomposition
- newspaper - composts very slowly, shred into small pieces before using
- oak leaves - very acidic and decompose slowly, recommend shredding before using
Types of Compost Bins
Compost piles can be left in the open air. Chicken wire or plastic sheeting can be used to prevent the wind from blowing items away. An enclosed bin with a lid will be much neater in appearance and will discourage any animals from scavenging in the pile.
One of the simplest composting enclosures is to use an old garbage can with a secure lid. Drill holes in the sides and bottom of the container to allow for air circulation and water drainage. A tight-fitting lid will allow you to place the container on its side and simply roll it to mix the compost. After rolling, leave the lid off for a few hours to allow more air to penetrate. Make sure you put the lid tightly back on before nightfall to prevent anything from getting in the bin.
For More Information
Visit the Compost Education Center in Bond Park to learn more about composting. The center includes a self-guided trail that demonstrates how to compost and shows different types of compost bins (including the Earth Machine compost bin), the environmental and economic benefits, and how to use the finished product.
For more details, call Cary Public Works and Utilities at (919) 469-4090. Wake County Solid Waste Management also has information on composting.
