January is a month packed with resolutions, habit changes, and looking forward to the upcoming year. Whether you are looking for ways to reduce your household waste in 2023 or aiming to enhance your garden in the upcoming months our Composting 101 guide is for you. Below you will find answers to some of the most common questions regarding composting including a pro tip about how Midwest Laboratories can help.
What is compost?
“Compost” is decaying organic matter that has been recycled into a nutrient-rich fertilizer.The average American throws away over a thousand pounds of compostable materials per year. That is a thousand pounds that could be given right back to your garden to help it thrive.
What are the benefits of using compost?
There are several noted benefits of using compost in your garden here are a few of our favorites!
Compost can improve the health of your soil thus improving the quality of what you are trying to grow
Reduces your food waste by turning scraps into a usable medium for your garden
Reduces methane emissions from rotting organic matter in landfills
Reduces the need for fertilizers
Helps your soil retain moisture (conserving water). * Did you know a 1 percent increase in soil organic matter helps soil hold 20,000 galloons more water per acre.
Helps with erosion because of the moisture retention
Suppresses plant diseases and pests
Encourages beneficial bacteria and fungi that break down organic matter to create humus, a rich nutrient- filled material
???????
How do I get started?
Composting at home is simple. All you need are bits of food or yard waste, a container to keep scraps in, a sufficient space to mix up and layer your “ingredients”, and time. A storage tote or large jar are great options to use as compost receptacles if you are short on space.
Balance is key in successful composting. Be sure to have a good mix of browns, greens, moisture, and air to get the right carbon to nitrogen ratio and to help your compost pile thrive.
There is no perfect ratio of browns to greens. A good rule of thumb is that you will need quite a bit more carbon than nitrogen. You will know your compost pile is decomposing properly if it does NOT smell like a landfill and is moist but not sopping wet.
Browns are high in carbon—they are a food source for microorganisms that live in soil and help introduce air into your compost. Browns are wood chips, sawdust, paper, pine needles, and corrugated cardboard.
Greens are high in nitrogen—they help those microorganisms in the soil quickly multiply to further break down the compost. Greens include grass clippings, scraps from fruit and vegetables, and coffee grounds.
Water- Like any other living organism, decomposers need oxygen and water to survive so you will want to ensure your at home compost has adequate air and water. Optimal air flow can be achieved by layering materials, making sure you have smaller particles, turning your piles regularly ( or adding in some sort of aeration system). For water you will likely be doing just fine if you are incorporating food scraps. Ideal moisture will be about the same as a wrung-out sponge if your mixture needs more just add some water!
What are good things to compost?
What should you avoid composting and why?
Black walnut tree leaves or twigs
- Releases substances that might be harmful to plants
Coal or charcoal ash
- Might contain substances harmful to plants
Dairy products (e.g., butter, milk, sour cream, yogurt) and eggs*
- Create odor problems and attract pests such as rodents and flies
Diseased or insect-ridden plants
- Diseases or insects might survive and be transferred back to other plants
Fats, grease, lard, or oils*
- Create odor problems and attract pests such as rodents and flies
Meat or fish bones and scraps*
- Create odor problems and attract pests such as rodents and flies
Pet wastes (e.g., dog or cat feces, soiled cat litter) *
- Might contain parasites, bacteria, germs, pathogens, and viruses harmful to humans
Yard trimmings treated with chemical pesticides
- Might kill beneficial composting organisms
SOURCE: U.S Environmental Protection Agency: "Composting at Home"
* Check with your local composting or recycling coordinator for regionally specific guidelines
When can I use my compost?
Once you have ensured your compost is stabilized and mature you can use it in a variety of ways (more on that later). You can identify finished compost by looking for these characteristics:
Texture: Crumbly and smooth, without recognizable scraps
Smell: Smells like a rainy day with no traces of sour odors
Color: Dark and rich
Size: It has broken down to one third of the original size of your pile
Temperature: Within 10 degrees of Fahrenheit of the temperature outside
How do I use my compost?
Compost cannot go bad, but it can get too wet, too dry, or too old. You can still use compost that is old; it just might not have as many nutrients in it as fresh compost.
How can Midwest Laboratories help me manage my compost?
It can be difficult to know for sure that your compost is healthy and will actually nourish your soil. Check out Midwest Lab’s compost testing capabilities to find out more information. Our Nutrient Management team will be happy to review your results with you. Questions? Give us a call at 402-335-7770 or send us an email at contactus@midwestlabs.com.