The composting process can take from 2 months to 2 years, depending on effort involved. to accelerate the process, the pile must be balanced (dry/humid material), watered thoroughly, frequently turned, and material should be shredded.
Yes. You can accumulate your kitchen waste all winter long. Add dry material each time. Breakdown process stops when pile is frozen, but it will start again in spring. Thorough turning in spring will reactivate the pile.
Empty the composter in the fall to make plenty of room.
Move your composter close to the house for the winter months.
Save a few bags of leaves in the fall to add throughout the
winter.
If many trees grow on your property, you may not be able to compost all the leaves at the same time in you composter.
Though you can:
1 - crumble them wth your lawn mower, to reduce volume;
2 - pile it in a wind free area for future use;
3 - during fall, mix some with your garden soil to amend the
soil;
4 - use it as a mulch to prevent weeds and keep soil moisture;
5 - putting your leaves in a container and running you grass
trimmer though them will also reduce their volume.
For years people have been mowing, bagging and ultimately sending grass clippings to landfill sites. Grass clippings are fine materials to place in your compost pile.
Another option is GRASSCYCLING, which is the natural recycling of grass clippings by leaving them on the lawn after mowing. Mulching lawn mowers are now available with finely cut the grass blades and return them to the lawn.
Remember, do not remove more than 33% of the leaf blade at one time, set your mower height at 2 to 3 inches. Cut grass when dry.
Grass Clippings bring problems because the material tends to
compact itself and is very rich in nitrogen, which can bring bad
odors. To combat this you can:
1 - add to compost in thin layers;
2 - let it dry before adding to the pile;
3 - mix it with dry material such as leaves.
Compost is ready to be used when it has a dark color with friable structure, and when most material cannot be identified. You can sift the compost to eliminate undesirable material. Pour this material back into the "Earth Machine".
To help build a lawn that stays green all summer with low water demand, use compost generously. In building a new lawn, work in large amounts of compost to a depth of at least 6 inches before planting seed or laying sod.
You can sift your compost thourgh a very fine screen and simply sprinkle a layer on top.
Applying compost in a wide ring directly below dripline of a tree, feed the root system. When planting tree seedlings, blend some compost with existing soil as a soil enrichment.
Add compost to 5 or 10 centimeters (2 to 4 inches) of your soil before planting flowers or vegetables. compost helps to retain moisture.
Compost increases organic matter in soil.
Compost builds sound root structure.
Compost makes clay soils porous so they drain.
Compost improves sandy soils maisture holding capacity.
Compost attracts and feeds earthworms.
Compost balances pH (acidity/alkalinity) of soil.
Compost helps control soil erosion.
Compost reduces plant stress from drought and freezing.
Compost improves vitamin and mineral content in food.
Compost generously applied replaces reliance upon petrochemical
fertilizers.
Composting is not difficult, but nature doesn't always behave exactly as we would want. Here are eashy solutions to the few things that might stall your Earth Machine.
Symptons |
Problems |
Solutions |
| Bad Odor | Not enough air or | Turn the pile and add carbon rich material or |
| Too much water | Decrease watering or protect from heavy rain | |
| Center of the pile is dry | Not enough water | Moisten and turn the pile |
| Composting Pile is cold or | Not enough material or | Add material and turn or |
| only its center is warm | Outside layer is exposed | Cover the pile with Jute or |
| to dryness | Add nitrogen rich material | |
| Attracts undesirable insects | Inappropriate covering of recently | Always cover kitchen waste with |
| (flies) and animals | added kitchen waste or | soil, old compost, or leaves or |
| Presence of non-recommended | Remove non-recomended material | |
| materials | ||
Composting can be viewed a little like cooking; a good recipe will enhance the finished product. the following recipes and ratios are suggestions for combinations you can create from the materials you have available.
Compost recyclers may opt to just "Keep the Bin Full," rather than follow these recipes and mixing guidelines.
The recipes below are based on volume and listed in descending order from hottest to least hot piles. A pile made up of 1/4 to 1/2 high-nitrogen materials (greens) will heat up rapidly and become compost faster.
Compost Cookbook
N = nitrogen
NN = higher nitrogen
NNN = highest nitrogen
C = carbon
CC = higher carbon
CCC = highest carbon
| Recipe #1 | ||
| 2 parts Dry leaves | CC | Browns |
| 2 parts Straw or wood shavings | CCC | Browns |
| 1 part Manure | NNN | Greens |
| 1 part Grass clippings | NN | Greens |
| 1 part Fresh garden weeds | N | Greens |
| 1 part Food scraps | NN | Greens |
| Recipe #2 | ||
| 2 parts Dry leaves | CC | Browns |
| 1 part Fresh garden weeds | N | Greens |
| 1 part Fresh grass clippings | NN | Greens |
| 1 part Food scraps | NN | Greens |
| Recipe #3 | ||
| 6 parts Dry leaves | CC | Browns |
| 3 part Food scraps | NN | Greens |
| 3 part Fresh grass clippings | NN | Greens |
| Recipe #4 | ||
| 3 parts Dry leaves | CC | Browns |
| 3 part Fresh grass clippings | NN | Greens |
| Recipe #5 | ||
| 3 parts Dry grass clippings | CC | Browns |
| 3 part Fresh grass clippings | NN | Greens |
..... or your own special blend.
The following condiments will add nutrients you your pile.
these materials are not required, but can be beneficial to the
process.
Sprinkle the condiments thoughout the pile.
| Garden soil | 1/2 shovelful maximum (high in microoganisms) |
| Finished compost | 1/2 shovelful maximum (very high in microorganisms) |
| Bone meal | 1/2 shovelful (high nitrogen source) |
| Blood meal | 1/2 shovelful (high nitrogen source) |
| Fireplace ashes | shovelfuls (high in potash and carbon) |
| Crushed rock dust | shovelfuls |
| Compost Starter | per directions |
If you need finished compost for your garden right away, or you are a Type A fast-paced person, here are a few tips from a Sri Lankan compost master, Victor Dalpadado. He began experimenting with composting systems while working as an agricultural extension agent in his country. He wanted to develop a composting business for Sri Lankans who had no daily jobs and foraged for their sustenance. His research identified five key points to follow in making quick compost.
1. Vary the materials, in order to provide a balanced food
supply for microorganisms.
2. Mix all materials thoroughly instead of making layers.
3. Make many scratches and cuts in stems and leaves to provide
entry for microorganisms.
4. Turn frequently for aeration.
5. Maintain ample moisture.
He suggests that proportions be about 2/3 brown (carbon) materials adn 1/3 green (nitrogen) materials by volume. Breaking the skin of plant materials is very important for microorganisms to do their work. Dalpadado recommended the first turning be made on the second day after the pile is built. Turn it again on the fourth, seventh and tenth days. It should begin to cool in temperatures from 140-160 degrees F to about 100 degrees F, at which point the compost is ready to use.
In Sri Lanka, groups of three people produce and sell about 15 tons of compost a month, under the name, Kasala Menik, "Gems From Garbage".
For more information on home composting, go to:
Enter postal code at the Earth's 911 site, http://www.cleanup.org/ then follow the composting links.
NaturTech
Composting Systems, Inc.