Composting Yard Wastes
Holding Units
These simple
containers for yard wastes are the least labor and time-consuming way to compost.
Which Wastes? Place the holding unit where it is most convenient. As weeds, grass clippings, leaves and harvest remains from garden plants are collected, they can be dropped into the unit. Chopping or shredding wastes, alternating high-carbon and high-nitrogen materials and keeping good moisture and aeration will all speed the process.
Advantages and disadvantages: For yard wastes, this is the simplest method. The units can be portable, moving to wherever needed in the garden. This method can take from six months to two years to compost organic materials, so you only need to be patient.
Variations: Holding units can be made of circles of hardware cloth, old wooden pallets or wood and wire. Sod can also be composted with or without a holding unit by turning sections of it over, making sure there is adequate moisture and covering it with black plastic.
Turning Units
This is a series
of three or
more bins that allows wastes to be turned on a regular schedule.
Turning units are most appropriate for gardeners with a large volume of yard
waste and the desire to make a high-quality compost.
Which wastes?
Nonwoody yard wastes are appropriate. Kitchen wastes without meat, bones or
fatty foods can be added to the center of a pile if it is turned weekly and
reaches high temperatures.
How? Alternate the layering of high-carbon and high-nitrogen materials to approximately a 30:1 ratio. These should be moistened to the damp sponge stage. The pile temperature should be checked regularly. When the heat decreases substantially, turn the pile into the next bin. Dampen the materials if they are not moist and add more high-nitrogen material if heating is not occurring. Then make a new pile in the original bin. Repeat the process each time the pile in the first bin cools. After two weeks in the third bin, the compost should be ready for garden use.
Advantages and disadvantages: This method produces a high-quality compost in a short-time utilizing a substantial input of labor.
Variations: The unit can be built of wood, a combination of wood and wire, or concrete block. Another type of turning of turning unit is the barrel composter, which tumbles the wastes for aeration.The following troubleshooting chart is a guide to more efficient composting using a turning unit.
|
SYMPTOMS |
PROBLEM |
SOLUTION |
|
The compost has a bad odor. |
Not enough air. |
Turn it. |
|
The center of the pile is dry. |
Not enough water. |
Moisten materials while turning the pile. |
|
The compost is damp and warm in the middle, but nowhere else. |
Too small. |
Collect more material and mix the old ingredients into a new pile. |
|
The heap 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 sulfate. |
Mulching
Yard wastes can be used for
weed control and water retention.
Which wastes? Woody yard wastes, leaves and grass clippings.
How? You can simply spread leaves or grass clipping beneath plantings. For woody materials up to 1 inch in diameter, rent or purchase a chipper/shredder. Tree services, if they are in your neighborhood, often will deliver wood chips free.
Advantages and disadvantages: All yard wastes will work first as a mulch and then, as decomposition proceeds, as a soil enrichment. A disadvantage of mulching with woody yard wastes is that you may have to buy or rent power equipment or make arrangements with a tree service.
Variations: Use chipped materials for informal garden paths.
