7 Tips to Start Composting Successfully at Home — Ralph Thurman

Based in the US Virgin Islands, Island Green Living Association is a world-leading conservation organization that has effected real change in the region. To date, the organization has played a leading role in expanding upcycling and recycling facilities, championing the transition to greener energy solutions such as solar power and electric cars as well as establishing a composting center and demonstration area, helping local people to transform waste materials into a valuable growing medium.

Home composting has many benefits, including reducing the amount of waste that goes to landfills and converting waste material into a vital resource that can be used to help plants grow. With yard waste and food scraps accounting for almost a third of what we throw away, producing harmful greenhouse gases like methane, a major contributor to climate change, the need to recycle and repurpose has never been greater. In this article, we look at how we can all start composting at home in a few simple steps.

Tip 1: Choose the right location

In terms of getting your compost pile off to a good start, location is all-important. Compost piles should not be placed in full shade. Since the pile needs aeration to encourage decomposition, it should not be located too close to a fence, shed, or other solid structure.

Ideally, a compost pile should be in a relatively sunny spot on bare soil, making it easy for insects and microbes to access rotting material and facilitating aeration and drainage. Adding a wire mesh base beneath your compost pile can help to keep vermin out.

Tip 2: Follow the three basic components of composting

First, a compost pile needs green materials, including vegetable waste, grass clippings, and fruit scraps.

Second, it needs browns, meaning dried organic materials such as twigs, branches, dead leaves, and even modest amounts of cardboard, provided the cardboard is not coated in plastic. Greens and browns should be added to the compost pile in equal amounts.

Finally, there must be water, which creates a moist environment to help break down green and brown matter.

Tip 3: Know which waste is suitable for composting

Some substances, such as coal, ash, charcoal, and black walnut twigs and leaves contain substances that can be harmful to plants. Plant matter that has been treated with chemicals should be disposed of elsewhere since it may kill off beneficial composting organisms. Diseased material and material infested with insects should not be composted since they could affect other plants.

Oils, grease, and fats are unsuitable for composting. Meat, bones, fish, and dairy should be avoided since they can attract pests such as flies and rats. Pet waste should never be put on the compost pile since it may contain pathogens that are harmful to humans.

Tip 4: Chopping and shredding matter expedites the composting process

When you chop up waste materials, you increase their surface area, giving bacteria a head start in breaking down organic matter. A good rule of thumb is that each cut effectively doubles the surface area, doubling the speed of composting along with it.

Chopping breaks through protective outer layers such as skins, peels, barks, and shells, helping bacteria to get a foothold to attack the fleshier inner material. In turn, this generates higher temperatures, speeding up the rate of decay even further.

Finally, shredding creates a finer, more consistent compost texture.

Tip 5: Cover the compost pile

As green materials decompose, the odor of ammonium may become noticeable. To prevent this, it is important to mix carbon-rich brown materials thoroughly with nitrogen-rich green materials, which should also help keep pests at bay.

Ideally, the compost pile should be layered like a lasagna, with dried brown material, then food waste, then brown, and so on, with no food waste peeking throughout. Exposed food waste will make the compost pile smell, attracting rodents, raccoons, and other pests to your yard.

Tip 6: Ensure there is enough heat

In winter and early spring, cooler temperatures can slow down decomposition significantly. If waste is not breaking down, adding more moisture and turning the material more often might help. Covering the pile over with a tarp also attracts heat, although it is important to ensure that the pile does not exceed 170 degrees Fahrenheit since this is the point at which beneficial microorganisms can start dying off.

Tip 7: Use a diverse mix of materials

If a compost pile contains a large about of the same material, it will be uniform in microbes and nutrients. Although all organic matter will decompose in time, leaving behind black soil, if the content is not diverse, it will not feature the rich mix of good bacteria and nutrients that earns top-quality compost the moniker “black gold.”

Many composters recommend keeping a trash can full of fallen leaves next to the compost pile. Layering kitchen waste with brown leaves creates balance, and a plentiful supply of fallen leaves provides sufficient brown waste to cover food scraps throughout the summer months.

Originally published at https://ralphthurman.com on November 4, 2021.