Guest Author - Barbara Gibson

Composting has long held appeal among gardeners. As concerns about the environment and interest in eating locally have grown, composting is becoming a more attractive and important choice. If you are thinking about composting or wondering how to get started, read on for the basics.

Why Consider Composting?
Composting is important for many reasons including the ecological benefits it provides.
For example, did you know that nearly one-third of landfill space is occupied by yard waste? Composting saves landfill space by reducing the volume of organic waste by as much as 75% (you can store leaves from as many as 100 bags in a 4x4x4 container!). When we consider the limits of landfill space, it is easy to recognize our role in impacting the problem with this small change.

This same yard waste can be returned to the soil through composting, thus creating an environment that is extremely beneficial for growing plants. Compost is also great for mulching and it doesn’t cost a dime, your only investment is a little time (if you opt for managed rather than passive composting) – the benefits are free.

How Does Composting Improve the Soil?
Your yard waste, in compost form, helps with aeration and drainage of clay soil. This same process can also help sandy soil maintain appropriate moisture levels and important nutrients.

How else does composting improve your soil? Composting creates an environment that
earthworms love! Earthworms and other soil organisms, such as fungi and insects encouraged by composting are very beneficial for plant growth. Composting also improves soil fertility and promotes healthy root development. You may even find that you no longer have a need for fertilizer when you start composting – another important environmental benefit.

What You Can Use To Make Compost
Make a basic compost with plant materials, woody plant prunings, scraps, soil (you may also opt for soilless compost) water, nitrogen fertilizer (without weed killing ingredients), if necessary, wood (not coal) ashes, hay and well-cured manure. If you choose to include leaves go for whole leaves, which allow for better oxygen filtration than mulched leaves.

A word of caution about composting with manure – manure should be well cured when used in food gardens to avoid harmful bacteria. Colorado State Cooperative Extension recommends that gardeners allow compost to heat to 140 degrees (a compost thermometer can help you determine temperature) for at least 5 days (kitchen scraps high in nitrogen can help with heating, try egg shells, coffee grounds, peanut shells, corn cobs, peels from vegetables and fruits). A 2-4 month curing period should follow for the safest results.

How to Get Started with Composting
You can use a bin, tumbler (great for limited space) or a pile. There is a lot of advice available regarding size. Generally, the minimum compost accommodation size should be 3x3x3. Opinions on maximums vary as very large sizes are thought by some to negatively impact oxygen filtration and decomposition.

Choose an area that is well drained and level. Particularly if you are including kitchen scraps and do not have a compost pail, you may want to keep the heap near your door for easy access. There are other placement considerations depending upon where you live. It is a good idea to contact your local cooperative extension service for information specific to your area.

Your compost pile should be built with alternating layers of the earlier described materials. Remember to water between layers, but don’t let the pile get soggy wet. Continue layering until the pile reaches the desired height.

Finished compost smells richly, like earth. The dark brown material is great for vegetable gardening, organic gardening, herb and flower gardening. Enjoy!