Backyard Composting
What is composting?
Composting is the natural process of decay. Bacteria, fungi, worms and other small organisms in the soil and air break down organic material. The break down of waste results in a dark, nutrient-rich, earthy-smelling soil conditioner known as humus or compost.
Visit the Compost Demo Area at the Eco Centre
Why should I compost?
Composting helps save landfill space…
- up to 1/3 of a household's waste is compostable.
- composting can make a significant impact on the amount of waste that is sent to the landfill
Composting can save you money ...
- compost is a valuable resource for your garden
- free soil conditioner which can be used instead of commercial fertilizers
- reduces the amount of garbage you send to the landfill - lower disposal costs
- adding compost to your soil will improve water retention
- decrease the amount of outdoor watering during the summer months
Compost is good for your garden…
- compost in your garden can help prevent soil erosion, enrich your soil and increase your yields of fruits and vegetables.
How do I compost?
You can either purchase one of many styles of composters available on the market or make one yourself.
Where should I place my composter?
- level with good drainage
- sheltered from heavy rains
- easy to access, even in the winter
- partially sunny - too sunny can cause the compost to dry out
What about adding items to the composter?
- alternate layers of green materials (grass and leaves) with layers of brown (dried leaves, dead grass)
- Food scraps (kitchen waste)
- smaller materials will decompose faster, chop before you toss
- add some garden soil - it contains micro-organisms and will help get the decomposition process started
Composting the easy way…
You can add the materials in the layers described above. The finished compost will take 1 - 1½ years.
Composting the quick way…
To compost sooner, then a little bit of work will go a long way.
- chop materials for the composter
- turn the pile about every two weeks to add oxygen
- turn the compost with a garden fork or shovel
- check that the pile is about as damp as a well wrung out sponge
- keep it warm
- Your compost should be ready in about 6 - 9 months.
Expert Tips
Be patient. Composting is a slow natural process. Materials may take a while to break down.
Wet grass and leaves may stick together and not compost properly. You can dry them them in a pile sheltered from the wind. Keep turning them until they are dry.
In the winter, your compost will probably freeze. Keep adding materials. In the spring it will thaw and start composting again.
What can I feed my composter?
DO:
- fruit & vegetable scraps
- tea bags
- coffee filters & grounds
- egg shells
- nut shells (except walnuts)
- hair
- grass clippings
- wood ash
- plant trimmings
- dry leaves
- sawdust & woodchips
|
DO NOT:
- pet wastes
- meats, bones, fats
- dairy products
- charcoal or coal ashes
- oil or oily foods
- diseased or insect-infested plants
- diapers and sanitary products
- woody yard waste (unless shredded first)
- weeds that have gone to seed
|
How do I know when it is done?
The compost is ready when the material at the bottom and the middle of the pile has turned into a dark, crumbly, earthy smelling material. There should be little recognizable material in the compost. You can use the compost even if egg shells remain.
What can I do with the finished compost?
- dig it into the soil before planting
- use it as a mulch around trees and shrubs to help retain water and prevent weeds from growing
- add and stir with equal parts water to make a nutritious "tea" for watering gardens, lawns and pots
- screen and use it on your lawn or as part of a seed starting mix
Troubleshooting (Is your composter giving you a rotten time?)
If your composter does not seem to be working how it should, then use the following chart to help diagnose and solve the problem.
|
SYMPTOM |
PROBLEM |
SOLUTION |
|
Compost pile has a bad odour |
Not enough air; pile too wet |
Turn it; add coarse, dry material to absorb excess moisture (straw, corn stalks) |
|
Nothing appears to be happening |
Compost is dry |
Moisten pile and mix thoroughly |
|
|
Compost is frozen |
Keep adding materials, decomposition will begin again in the Spring. Freezing and thawing will help break down materials
|
|
|
Poor carbon: nitrogen ratio |
Add green (nitrogen) or brown (carbon) material
|
|
Pile is damp and sweet smelling, but still will not heat up |
Lack of nitrogen |
Mix in a nitrogen source like fresh grass clippings, fresh manure, blood meal or ammonium sulphate. |
|
Compost is damp and warm in middle, but nowhere else |
Pile is too small |
Collect more material and mix the old ingredients into a new pile |
|
Compost is too wet (wetter than a well wrung out sponge) |
Poor drainage |
Move to a location with proper drainage |
|
|
Soaked from rainfall |
Add dry leaves, use a lid |
|
|
Lack of air |
Turn compost |
|
Pest infestation - dogs, rodents, insects |
Improper food scraps added |
Don't add meat, fats, bones or other animal wastes |
|
|
Food scraps not covered |
Use rodent-proof compost bin. Place fruit and vegetable wastes in the centre of the pile, cover with soil |
