My First (com)Post!

luanniewang
Apr 20, 2024
4 min read

Updated: Jun 3, 2024

Hi everyone, I hope you all are doing well! This is my first post, and I thought, what better topic to start off with than composting!

WHAT IS COMPOSTING?

A process that turns organic material like fruit and vegetable scraps into nutrient-rich soil through decomposition. It's like nature's way of recycling!

WHY COMPOST?

Many reasons, including:

Reduces waste- rather than throwing away your leftovers, you can make use of them through compost!
Protects the climate- it reduces the amount of organic material that ends up in landfills, which in turn reduces the methane emissions from landfills.
It's easy- it might sound complicated at first, but you'll be surprised by how little effort, experience, equipment, and money it takes.
It's fun- you can bring family and friends to compost together. You will all enjoy knowing that you are helping the environment while spending quality time with one another!
Makes the soil stronger- composting not only helps soil hold nutrients better but also deliver nutrients better. It increases the biodiversity of microbes within the soil, helps the soil retain moisture, etc.
Benefits plants- the stronger soil boosts plant growth and also makes plants more resistant to certain pests, insects, and diseases by balancing the plants' nutrients.
Discourages weed growth- weeds don't like the high temperatures involved in the process of composting, nor are they used to growing in the balanced nutrient ecosystems that compost cultivates.
Saves you money- the high-quality of the soil can help you to eliminate use of certain fertilizers, pesticides, and other treatments.

WHAT CAN I COMPOST?

Ideally, you should have a balance of carbon-rich and nitrogen-rich materials. We can call these categories dry/brown and wet/green respectively. Brown things take a long time to decompose while green things decompose very quickly. Below is a short list of some things you can compost.

BROWN	GREEN
Dry leaves	Fruit and vegetable scraps
Twigs	Grass clippings
Shredded (un-glossy and uncolored) paper	Crushed eggshells
Used paper napkins and towels	Cooked rice or pasta
Stale bread	Old herbs/spices
Peanut shells	Old jelly/jam/preserves
Pencil shavings	Flowers from arrangements (bouquets)

Notice that many of the items that are safe for composting are very common everyday things. I'm sure there's some fruit or vegetables in your fridge, and you'll find leaves and twigs right in your own backyard. This is what makes composting so easy and an activity anyone can do.

Still, we need to be careful about things we shouldn't include in our compost piles. These include things that can attract animals and things that aren't able to decompose in the temperatures of a simple compost pile. Here is a short list of things you shouldn't compost:

Meat, bones
Dairy products
Fats, oils, grease
Large amounts of cooked food
Aggressive weeds
Herbicide-treated plants
Pet waste
Dryer lint
Produce stickers

This is a pretty general list. However, there are always exceptions and tricky items. For example, while twigs and small sticks are generally safe to compost, you should avoid twigs from black walnut trees as they release a toxic compound. If you are ever unsure about composting something, simply check online. Better safe than sorry!

HOW TO DO IT

The most basic form of composting is backyard composting. Anyone can do this with a good balance of carbon as well as nitrogen-rich materials, water, and oxygen. Here is a simple step-by-step on starting composting at home.

1. Determine your location

Pick a place outside with partial shade and drainage. It should be accessible to you but not to other animals. You can have either a compost heap or a compost bin. If you have a pile, it should be at least 3 feet tall and wide -- a manageable size that can still retain heat. Alternatively, you can buy or construct a bin. They are usually made from materials such as wire, wood, and cinder blocks. They can also be barrels and tumblers.

2. Add the materials

It is recommended to add the green and brown materials in alternating layers. This helps you maintain the correct balance of those types of material in your compost. Start your pile with a 4-8 inch thick layer of browns. This layer absorbs extra liquid and allows air to circulate at the base of the pile. From here on, alternate layers of brown and green until you reach your desired size pile or fill up your bin, adding a bit of water between each layer to keep it a moist environment.

3. Maintain your compost

As decomposition begins, the temperature of your compost will begin to rise. A well-maintained compost will reach temperatures between 130 and 160 degrees Fahrenheit. You should turn and mix your compost pile every 4-7 days to aerate the pile and speed up the decomposition. Keep an eye on factors such as moisture, odor, and temperature. If your pile is too dry, add water. If it has a bad smell, it may have too much water or need more air. Add more browns and turn the pile. If it is not heating up enough, add more greens and turn the pile.

4. Harvest your compost

It can take anywhere from a few weeks to a year for your compost to fully decompose. You can tell when your compost is finished -- it will look dark brown and crumbly, have a rich, earthy smell, and not have any big chunks of material, but you can get rid of any by sifting/screening your compost. It's now ready to be used in your gardens and to pot your plants!

That's all for my basic starter's guide to composting! I hope you enjoyed and feel encouraged to try composting on your own. It may seem complicated, but with resourcefulness, patience, and dedication, you can do it! See you next time on The Sustainability Spot!