A common saying is “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure!” While “man” should be replaced with tree, grass clipping, or kitchen scraps this saying is true with composting; turning raw materials into a nutrient-rich, dark brown soil amendment that can be applied to large farms or small back-yard gardens and be a form of natural fertilizer. Composts are biologically safe, free of unpleasant odors, and is a free, slow-releasing fertilizer for plants.
So, what can compost be made of? It would probably be a shorter list if I told you what NOT to compost, you could use pretty much anything natural to add value to your compost. Having a balance of carbon and nitrogen will ensure there will be enough nutrients available when applying it to your soil but also will ensure the proper nutrients are supplying the decomposing organisms. These organisms will use nitrogen to make proteins for their bodies. Not enough proteins and the microbes will use it all from your compost whereas too much will cause your microbes to become lazy and not do their job...give them the buffet and there’s no need to work for food! There are some items that you should never add to your compost. That is bones, dairy products, grease, meat or cooking oil, cat or dog manure, charcoal ash, sick or diseased plants, and treated wood.
There is not a right or wrong way to compost. It happens naturally in nature, however, if you want more of a controlled situation to help the process work even better, build a pile in the sun on well-drained soil. The pile should have 25% green materials like coffee grounds, grass clipping, and tea bags and 75% brown materials like branches, leaves, or shredded paper. Layer your materials and add finished compost and a little bit of water and you’ve got a good start. Turn, water, and maintain proper temperatures in your pile and you are on your way to a home-grown soil amendment. A few ending thoughts about compost to keep in mind. Unfinished compost may pull nutrients from the soil and plants surrounding it. Too much manure could result in an excess of phosphorus, balance is key. Compost is a slow-releasing fertilizer beneficial to many plants. Compost reduces waste sent to landfills. Compost improves the soil’s ability to hold moisture, reducing irrigation needs. If you need help starting a compost pile, reach out! I would love to learn right alongside you!