Composting: Get the Most from Your Garden

Did you know you can enrich the soil of your garden by composting? Well if you didn’t, now you do! Let’s dive into the basics of composting.

What is Compost?

Compost is a partially decomposed, nutrient-rich, soil-like mixture created from the natural decomposition of safe materials. It also protects plants from disease, reduces waste, and is good for the environment. Compost is used as a natural fertilizer to improve plant growth, increase water retention, and enhance soil health.

To put it in more simple terms, compost is matter (think plants, leaves, veggie scraps, etc.) that breaks down and decays over time and, once the right consistency, is given back to the earth as nutrients.

How Does It Work?

Composting is a natural decay and decomposition process. During the process, microorganisms from the soil eat waste that contains carbon and break it down to its simplest parts. Humus is the result of this process and is fiber-rich, and contains inorganic nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

The material is broken down through what’s known as aerobic respiration – the compost requires oxygen to be introduced during decomposition. Whether by a mechanism built into the composting bin or by turning the pile with a rake or a pitch fork, moving and turning the matter is necessary to introduce more oxygen and help break it down.

Compost decomposes fastest at 120-160 degrees Fahrenheit. It will still decompose at lower temperatures but the process will be much, much longer. Some people like to purchase a compost thermometer to measure the core temperature of your bin or pile.

What can be Composted?

Now that you know generally what compost is and how it’s beneficial, let’s dive into what can and can’t be composted.

Deciding what to put in compost is fairly simple. Most food scraps, aside from meat, and yard clippings can be stirred into compost. But the most important thing is to remember what makes up the items you are putting in the bin. Compost consists of two main ingredients: ‘Dry Browns’ and ‘Wet Greens’ that decompose to create a rich matter that can be added directly to your soil. Some materials are better than others.

The microbes that break it all down require a steady and balanced diet of nitrogen and carbon. Nitrogen comes from “Wet Greens” like food scraps and grass clippings. Carbon comes from “Dry Browns” like dead leaves, hay, and wood. Here are some suggestions:

Dry Browns are high in carbon and can include:

• Dried leaves
• Shredded branches and twigs
• Straw
• Shredded cardboard
• Saw dust
• Sine needles
• Shredded paper

Wet Greens are naturally high in nitrogen and include:

• Grass clippings
• Green plant trimmings
• Kitchen scraps (veg. and fruit peels)
• Manure (from herbivores)
• Cut flowers
• Coffee grounds, tea bags
• Egg shells

The ratio for compost should be 2 parts dry browns to 1 part wet greens.

Now that we know what to add to compost, it’s important to know what should stay out. Avoid these in your compost:

• Weeds that have flowered
• Dog/cat waste (worming medications can kill composting worms)
• Diseased plants
• Meat, bones, fish, dairy, greasy food (can attract unwanted critters)
• Citrus peels (too acidic for worms)

Where can Compost be Kept?

I bet you’re wondering, “Where do I keep a decomposing pile of dirty and organic waste?” Well there are many places you can compost, such as the following: 

• Worm bins
• Bins
• Piles
• Holes
• Self-contained tumblers

If you live in a drier climate you can create a pile outside. When creating a compost pile, you want it to be easily manageable, so don’t make it too big. 3’x3’x3′ is the recommended size for the pile. This way you can use a pitchfork or shovel to easily turn the compost to aerate.

You can also easily build your own compost bin with wooden pallets. Clean wooden pallets make great compost bins! Simply connect three pallets together at the corners to create an open square. If you’re feeling fancy, add another pallet with hinges for a door!

For those living in cooler climates, you can look into outdoor composting bins or tumblers. There’s options available for purchase online, or DIY a tub that is easy to stir with still providing good airflow. Tumblers often work best as you can close the door and easily turn a handle to aerate the compost.

If you live in a smaller place that doesn’t have the room for a compost pile or large tumbler, the easiest way to compost is with a small bucket with a lid. Ensure your lid can seal tightly. Drill holes in the lid to allow air flow. It’s very easy to mix it all up in a bin with a hand shovel or hand rake. There’s also new electric table top composting bins on the market that do the messy work for you, but the price will be much higher than a DIY option.

Other Notes

Your compost pile should be wet, but not soggy or soaked. As you are building your pile and adding more items, be sure that each layer is moist as it’s added. The top of your compost pile or bin should always be moist, especially in the summer months.

Have you been composting for a while an now the pile is starting to….stink? Your compost pile is smelly because there is a large number of anaerobic microbes which are breaking down the matter, but creating a stench in process. By aerating your compost regularly (every 1-2 weeks), you can cut down on the anaerobic process and create air spaces within the compost to eliminate the smell.

Wanting to speed up the process? Here’s some of our favorite tips:

• Keep materials small, they will decompose faster
• Avoid clumped grass
• Keep the pile moist, but not soggy or soaked
• Turn the pile every one to two weeks to aerate
• Optional: cover with a tarp or lid to keep out excess rain and animals, and add heat

When compost is rich, loose, and dark, it’s ready! Spread the compost 2-4 weeks before planting to be sure your soil has soaked up all the nutrients you’ve introduced.

Happy composting!

If you’re looking for great plants to enjoy your nutrient-rich soil, look no further! Ashcombe Farm & Greenhouses is your source for all your gardening needs: annuals, vegetable starters, perennials, trees, shrubs, house plants, and so much more. Explore more gardening tips at our blog.