Home Composting

Composting is often defined as nature’s way of recycling organic waste. This is because composting’s biological process breaks down organic material into nutrient rich fertilizer or soil amendment, which is returned back to the Earth to feed our plants and gardens.  Organic waste includes items such as food scraps, leaves, twigs, grass trimmings, paper, and coffee grounds.

The compost itself is beneficial for the land in many ways, including as a soil conditioner, a fertilizer, and as a natural pesticide for soil.  Composting also helps the environment by reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills.  Waste that is landfilled not only takes up valuable space, but it also releases methane gas, which is responsible for climate change.

Only a few easy-to-find ingredients are necessary for backyard composting, so why not give it a try? You will be helping the environment and your garden.  To learn more, watch MVTV Healthy Mission:  Backyard Composting.

Waste Management has also created two composting tutorial videos to help you get started on your own.

Backyard Composting Quick + Easy - Waste Management

Worm Composting Quick + Easy - Waste Management

The following Recipe for Backyard Composting is from CalRecycle’s Recipe for Backyard Composting:

Ingredients

While a multitude of organisms, fungus and bacteria are involved in the overall process, there are four basic ingredients for composting: nitrogen, carbon, water, and air. The easiest compost recipe calls for blending roughly equal parts of green or wet material (which is high in nitrogen) and brown or dry material (which is high in carbon). Simply layer or mix these materials in a pile or enclosure; chop or shred large pieces to 12" or shorter. Water and fluff the compost to add air. Then leave it to the microorganisms, which will break down the material over time.

Nitrogen

Green materials such as grass clippings and landscape trimmings are ideal sources of nitrogen for composting.  Vegetable and fruit trimmings and peels can also provide nitrogen for composting.  Coffee grounds and tea bags may look brown but are actually potent nitrogen sources.  To reduce the potential for pests or odors, avoid meat or dairy scraps and always bury food scraps deep within the compost pile. Avoid pet feces due to concerns about pathogens.  However, manure from chickens, turkeys, cows, or horses is rich in nitrogen and can help your compost pile get to proper temperatures and make very good compost.

Carbon

Brown (dry) yard and garden material such as dry leaves, twigs, hay, or shredded paper can provide the carbon balance for a compost pile.  Chop or shred large pieces to 12 inches or shorter (thick, woody branches should be chipped, ground up, or left out).  Untreated wood chips and sawdust are a powerful carbon source, which may be useful if the pile contains excess nitrogen.

Water

One of the most common mistakes in composting is letting the pile get too dry. Your compost pile should be as moist as a wrung-out sponge.  A moisture content of 40 to 60 percent is preferable. To test for adequate moisture, reach into your compost pile and grab a handful of material and squeeze it.  If a few drops of water come out, it's probably got enough moisture, if it doesn't, add water.  When you water, it is best to put a hose into the pile so that you aren't just wetting the top. You can also water as you are turning the pile. During dry weather, you may have to add water regularly.  During wet weather, you may need to cover your pile.  A properly constructed compost pile will drain excess water and not become soggy.

Air

The bacteria and fungus that are in your compost pile need oxygen to live.  If your pile is too dense or becomes too wet, the air supply to the inside is cut off and the beneficial organisms will die.  Decomposition will slow and an offensive odor may arise.  To avoid this, turn and fluff the pile with a pitchfork often, perhaps weekly.  You can also turn the pile by just re-piling it into a new pile. Wash hands after handling compost or use gloves.

Size

Ideally, the compost pile should be at least three feet wide by three feet deep by three feet tall (one cubic yard).  This size provides enough food and insulation for the organisms to live.  However, piles can be larger or smaller and work just fine if managed well.