Composting Basics

Simply put, compost is decomposed organic material. The organic material can be either plant material or animal matter. Composting is a simple and natural process that occurs in nature, often without the assistance of mankind. Both living plants and annual plants die at the end of the season and are consumed by animals of all sizes, from larger mammals to microscopic organisms. The result of this natural cycle is compost, a combination of digested and undigested food left on the earth to create rich, usually soft, sweet-smelling soil.

Backyard or personal composting is the intentional and managed decomposition of organic materials for the creation of compost. Anyone can effectively manage the composting process, however, the trick is to maximize the process of decomposition, while avoid the unpleasant effects of having a pile of decaying matter.

Compost is beneficial for home gardens because it improves the soil, which in turn supports healthier and more productive plants. Compost provides nearly all of the essential nutrients for healthy plant grows, and almost always releases those nutrients over time to give plants a slow, steady, consistent intake of the elements necessary for plant growth.

A compost pile should contain the right mixture of key ingredients to properly compost, as well as air and water. The pile should consist of two classes of materials, referred to as “greens” and “browns.” Green materials (fresh green grass clippings, fresh manure, kitchen scraps, and weeds) are high in nitrogen, while brown materials (brown, dry leaves, dried grass, straw, sand, sawdust) are high in carbon. Too much of one ingredient or too little of another reduces the productivity of the microorganisms which compost the materials. The best combination of browns and greens is about 4 parts “brown” to one part “green.”

To make a compost pile, some outdoor space needs to be dedicated to he process. The location of the compost should be close to the garden, as well as close to the source of raw materials (kitchen scraps, lawn clippings, etc.), without being an eyesore.  Open bins and enclosed containers are both used for compost piles.

There are advantages and disadvantages of both types of compost piles. Entire books have been written on the subject of composting. Read up on composting to find which type best suits your personal composting needs.

Garden of OZ

This entry was posted by megan in Compost, Garden, Tips, To Learn and tagged biodegrade, compost, compost how, composting, fruit, garden, nutrients, soil, sustainable, tips, vegetables, waste, yard waste.