What is compost? Compost is the broken down remains of organic substances like fall leaves, yard trimmings, and kitchen scraps by various organisms in the decomposition cycle. Through a process involving heat, moisture, oxygen and a host of microorganisms including, bacteria, fungi, nematodes, protozoa and some larger players like insects, worms and animals the materials added to the compost pile are broken down into smaller and smaller pieces making humus for addition of water retaining organic material to soil. During this process the microbes are busy digesting and making available essential nutrients previously locked up in the plant matter in its whole form.
What can I do with compost and what is the point?
Composting is one of the greatest and most natural forms of recycling available. Given enough time all organic material will decompose but composting speeds this process. Why fill landfills with those leaves you raked in the fall or that apple core left over from your lunch when you can compost them into a reusable material?
Finished compost is the end result of all of the breakdown. It is a moist, dark brown, light weight nutrient rich loam that when added to the soil in either the garden, lawn or container setting helps retain soil moisture provides nutrients and beneficial microbes to the plants which grow there. A thick layer of compost can be laid down on the surface of the soil or mixed in during planting. When spread on the surface compost can help act as a weed barrier and the dark color will soak up the sun and warm the ground resulting in an earlier start for spring plants.
Compost can even eliminate the need for commercial fertilizers providing an organic sustainable feeding system. Commercial chemical fertilizers are expensive and wasteful. Many of these products can kill or inhibit the natural organisms in the soil, these microbes are fully capable of providing and renewing all necessary components for healthy soil. After all, it has been through the actions of the microbes breaking down and recycling organic matter that all the forests on the planet have maintained themselves (without human meddling). Chemical fertilizers are also washed away into rivers, streams and ground water increasing algae growth resulting in oxygen deficient waters inhospitable for fish and other animals reliant on these habitats. Plants can only take up so many nutrients at one time many chemical fertilizers applied are not absorbed by the plants by the time they are washed away or drained so far in to the soil as to be out of the root zone of the intended recipient. Adding compost or compost tea (a liquid concoction made with compost and water) provides nutrients in quantities more congruent with the plants uptake abilities. The extra that not immediately used by the plants? Yes some of this can also be washed away, but most of it is used and recycled by the microbes living in the compost and will be made available again to the plants as the microbes die. The amount that is washed away is small enough not to cause the damage of the chemical run off.
How can I compost?
There are a great variety methods available. Bins, trays, boxes, rolling drums are all sold and they all work. I have not found it necessary to employ any of these devices. I am a 4th generation vermicomposter. Vermicompost is composting using worms to do much of the breakdown in addition to the other microbes. My compost is just a pile surrounded by stones to keep it from spilling into the rest of the yard. With the addition of the redwigglers (worms) the decomposition time is reduced with their added help eating and breaking down the decaying material. These worms are different than the common earthworm as they usually stay in the compost since they need actively decomposing material to survive. All compost piles need moisture to work, the pile should be about as moist as a well rung sponge but not soupy. My pile is situated where the lawn sprinklers will hit it. I add all my yard wastes with the exception of branches and sticks (they take too long to break down) and weeds with seeds (the seed will germinate and make more weeds). I also add all of my organic kitchen scraps like egg shells, potato peelings, moldy bread, dinner leftovers, used napkins etc... I do not add meat because it attracts animals and I don't want them digging around and creating a mess. Whether or not you add worms to your pile the process is the same. A regular compost pile will reach greater temperatures than one with worms (high heat can kill the worms).
Does it stink?
A properly managed compost pile does not stink or attract flies. It smells rich and earthy. The primary decomposers are the aerobic bacteria in the mix. They need oxygen to survive and are the healthy beneficial friends of the garden. If a compost pile does stink or attract flies it does not have enough oxygen and the anaerobic/pathogenic bacteria have taken over. A pile like his should be turned more regularly to improve aeration. As the aeration improves the aerobic bacteria population will increase and out compete their stinky counterparts for food.
How much work is it?
Not much. Add your scraps, add some water and turn with a pitch fork half a dozen times a year (more if you want). When it comes time to harvest some of your finished product move the large pieces aside with the pitch fork and use a rake to rake through any un-decomposed material. What is left is the dark brown soil like humus and is ready to go in and on your garden. The more you do this the greater results you will see! After years of this your garden soil should be, rich, lightweight, dark in color and smell fresh. Your plants and your planet will thank you!
