Environmental Quality

If everyone in the U.S. started composting, we could keep about one-third of our garbage out of landfills. How easy it is to turn discarded yard and kitchen waste into rich, dirt-like organic material that can be used as inexpensive soil fertilizer. The basics are listed below.

Choosing a composting bin - These are handy to have, but not necessary. You can create a compost pile by making your layers of material in an area 3x3x 3 feet. The bins work well for smaller areas and are especially desirable if you plan to use kitchen scraps. Black bins or tumblers of recycled plastic help use the sun's energy to speed things along. If you are creative, there are many ways to build your own bin. Putting a wire mesh grate underneath your bin will keep small critters from getting in.

Finding a location - Try to place the bin in an area that receives a mixture of sun and shade. If your pile is more casual, or consists of a simple area surrounded by wire, you will want to tuck it somewhere out of sight.

Creating a system for getting materials into the composter - The easiest way is to simply store your kitchen scraps in airtight containers and put them in the refrigerator or freezer until you are ready to empty them into the bin.

The RECIPE! - The best results for compost is 75 percent brown materials and 25 percent green materials. However, a 50 : 50 or 40 : 60 ratio will work. The pile should be damp, but not soggy – about like wrung out dish rag. Layer the materials - brown, green, add a thin layer of soil, moisten these three layers, and continue to layer until the pile is 3 feet high.

THE BROWNS - (Carbon Sources)
--- Leaves (mulched, if possible, and then dampened)
--- Shredded paper towels, tissue, paper napkins (only if free of dyes, chlorine, and inks)
--- Chipped brush, sawdust

THE GREENS – (Nitrogen Sources)
--- All household vegetable and fruit scraps (chopping these will speed up the process)
--- Crushed eggshells
--- Coffee grounds, brown coffee filters, tea bags
--- Grass clippings (in very thin layers only)
--- Weeds without seeds, dead leaves (dandelions, maple leaves, and oak bark add desirable minerals)

THE NO, NO LIST
--- Meat, fish, bones, dairy products, peanut butter, fats, oil
--- Pet waste
--- Synthetic materials or anything treated with chemicals, such as plywood or particle board
--- Diseased plants

Turning the compost - Aerate the compost by turning it with a pitchfork or a turn of the barrel every time you add new material. Turn it a minimum of every two weeks. Aeration will help to generate heat and keep the "recipe" cooking. If you add earthworms to your bin, you don't have to be as diligent with the turning process as worms aid with the aeration process.

Harvesting the compost - Harvest the bin every few months so it doesn't overflow. Use this "black gold" to condition soil for annuals, vegetables, new or established lawns, trees, shrubs and perennials.

Trouble shooting -
--- If the pile doesn't heat up – add more high-nitrogen (green) material. If it appears dry, add water. Turning the pile may help.

--- Pile smells bad – Add more high-carbon material (brown). If the pile is too wet turning may help and add more air.

--- Material doesn't break down – Woody stems, prunings, and dry leaves are sometimes slow to break down; chop them into smaller pieces before adding them to a new pile. Adding more nitrogen (green) ingredients can help balance things out.

Sources for this article:
++ Co-op America REAL MONEY, Summer 2000
++ Improving the Soil: Rodale's Successful Organic Gardening
++ Organic Gardening -

Sources for Composters:
++ Common Ground Organic Supply (415) 328-6752
++ Gardeners Supply Catalog (802) 863-1700
++ Harmony Catalog (800) 869-3446
++ Real Goods Trading Company (800) 762-7325