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Composting:the rotten truth
Anne KolaczykPurdue University Master Gardener2006Anne
Kolaczyk
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CompostingComposting is the transformation of organic material
(plant matter) through decomposition into a soil-like material
called compost.Invertebrates (insects and earthworms), and
microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) help in this
transformation.
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KindsBin compostingTumbler compostingSunken pail compostingSheet
compostingAnaerobic compostingVermicomposting
Bin compostingwhat most people doTumblercommercial bin that
rotateswhen turned every day, produces compost in about a
monthsmall sizeneed multiple tumblers or you have a stretch when
you cant compostgood for kitchen waste
Sunken pailGood for kitchen waste5 gal pails with drainage holes
in the bottomburied almost to top and coveredWhen full, throw some
dirt in and close upBy the time you fill up a second bucket, the
first should be doneSmelly when open
Sheet composting4 to 6 inches over garden in fallspade into soil
in the springMulching is sheet composting at its simplestDigging
holes and burying waste is sheet composting
Anaerobic compostingairless, can be done in plastic bags, smelly
if bag breaksGood for small quantitiesAdd a few handfuls of
dirtLeave in sun and turn every few weeks
Vermicompostingusing wormsSuperior nitrogen-rich compostSecrete
calcium carbonate which regulates the soils pHEnzymes they secrete
promote growth
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Why do itEnvironmentally responsibleKeeps biodegradable waste
out of landfills and sewage plantsAlternative to burningGives you a
vibrant garden without chemical fertilizersSaves moneyLearning
tool
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What it involvesAdding ingredientsMaintaining proper
temperatureTurningMaintaining moistureHarvesting
Some methods require fewer of these steps as the system itself
handles the choreno turning is necessary with buried pail; if your
bin pile is big enough, the temp will be fine.
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Bin compostingbackyard composting
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Composting binsReady madeHomemadeBin-less pile
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Ready made ExpensiveLimited capacityGood if space is an
issue
Good for small spaces
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Homemade Three bins are bestOne to fillOne thats cookingOne to
turn others into or to draw from
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Bin-less pileJust a pile with no partitionsHard to maintain
sufficient depth to achieve high enough temperaturesEasy and
nothing to buildMoveable
Need a cubic yard to get interior hot enough to kill off
pathogens and weed seeds.
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What you can compostYard wasteKitchen
scrapsNewspaperCardboard
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What not to compostMeat scrapsBonesDairy productsPet
wasteDiseased plantsInvasive weeds
Meat scraps and bones attract animals. Smell and can take a long
time to decompose. Same with dairy products.Pet waste may carry
pathogens. There is some controversy about whether pet waste can be
composted safely.
Might also avoid diseased plants and invasive weeds. The temp of
your pile might not be high enough to kill them off.
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C:N ratioShould be 30 parts carbon to 1 part nitrogen by
weightGrass Clippings19:1 Leaves 40:1Equal weight of each would
give you approximately 30:1 ratio for pile
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Whats whatBrown (Carbon)LeavesDirtGrocery bagsBird seed
hullsWood chips
Green (Nitrogen)Grass clippingsPlant clippingsFertilizerCoffee
grounds
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C:N ratio, my takeWhatever!
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Care of compostPassiveLet sitTakes months and monthsActiveTurn
oftenKeep moist (H2O 40-60% of weight)Have proper ratio of C:N
(30:1)2-6 weeks (depending on ingredients)
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Lets get real
ConcernsSolutionsI dont have roomUse commercial binIt takes too
long Maintain proper conditions Cut up large piecesIt smells Not if
you maintain C:N ratioTemps too low to kill diseases, fungi, weed
seedsUse local community composting facility for problem pieces,
compost the restAttracts animalsBury food waste in center
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UsesEarly stages as mulchKeeps weeds from growingHelps retain
moistureBeneficial minerals go into soilLater stages for soil
amendingEnriches soilHelps with moisture retentionRemoves/reduces
need for chemical fertilizers that leach into our ground water
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What method is right for me???
How much space do I have?Is it indoor or outdoor or both?What do
I want to compost? How much waste do I have a week?How and where do
I want to use the compost?How much time can I spend on it a
week?Whats my ewww! factor?How committed am I to composting?
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ResourcesPurdue Extension officeLibraryInternet
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Just do it!
Bin compostingwhat most people doTumblercommercial bin that
rotateswhen turned every day, produces compost in about a
monthsmall sizeneed multiple tumblers or you have a stretch when
you cant compostgood for kitchen waste
Sunken pailGood for kitchen waste5 gal pails with drainage holes
in the bottomburied almost to top and coveredWhen full, throw some
dirt in and close upBy the time you fill up a second bucket, the
first should be doneSmelly when open
Sheet composting4 to 6 inches over garden in fallspade into soil
in the springMulching is sheet composting at its simplestDigging
holes and burying waste is sheet composting
Anaerobic compostingairless, can be done in plastic bags, smelly
if bag breaksGood for small quantitiesAdd a few handfuls of
dirtLeave in sun and turn every few weeks
Vermicompostingusing wormsSuperior nitrogen-rich compostSecrete
calcium carbonate which regulates the soils pHEnzymes they secrete
promote growth
Some methods require fewer of these steps as the system itself
handles the choreno turning is necessary with buried pail; if your
bin pile is big enough, the temp will be fine.
Good for small spaces
Need a cubic yard to get interior hot enough to kill off
pathogens and weed seeds.
Meat scraps and bones attract animals. Smell and can take a long
time to decompose. Same with dairy products.Pet waste may carry
pathogens. There is some controversy about whether pet waste can be
composted safely.
Might also avoid diseased plants and invasive weeds. The temp of
your pile might not be high enough to kill them off.
