Another Compost Post

I was thinking last night about the benefits of compost, which to be honest I didn't really get at first, and re-reading my pseudo-spiritual piece from yesterday, and wondering if I'd done enough for you on actual compost (I already know I've done more than enough for you on the "compost is life" metaphor). So, here we are, back again at the site where your garbage meets your yard waste. Let's visit our subject, the compost, again.

Did you get that compost actually becomes soil? Because at first, I didn't. If you already have good soil, you can used finished compost as food for your soil, loosening what you've already got and piling some fresh compost on top. If you don't, you can actually use compost as the soil where you put your plants. Our local garden shops, and actually a couple of grocery stores, are now selling organic compost for good prices - the best one I saw was $3 for 80 lbs, so if you haven't started that bin yet, don't worry, just pick some up.

If you like to use manure in your compost, you can use it. I don't have any manure around, you may be surprised to note, so I choose not to use it. But, it's high in nitrogen, which supposedly is very good for the plants. The important thing, I've gathered from my reading, is not to use fresh manure. Let it rot, or compost, before spreading it around your plants, because the fresh nitrogen will burn the plants, not to mention your nostrils. Cow and chicken manure seem to be best, but please do your own research. I am not a manure specialist; I am just getting used to dirt.

If you live in a tiny apartment, you can still compost. Although, after reading this article, I started to wonder why. But, you can, and people do. If you are composting in your apartment right now, or thinking about it, I would love to hear from you.

I have read that just sticking it in a trash can is a bad thing to do. Mine is there only temporarily until my fancy aerated compost bin arrives via UPS, so if you've taken my advice, according to CompostInstructions.com, it's best to keep it someplace where it gets more oxygen and lets some of the water drain out, which I guess becomes a mosquito haven come summer. This is why you read me for the entertainment value. I am learning, so please tell me if you have a better method.

You must keep an eye on your compost. According to HowToCompost.org, if it gets too dry, it won't decompose; if it's too wet, it will be raccoon and mosquito fodder. The rule of thumb is to keep it as damp as a wrung-out sponge. That should keep it at optimal rotting speed.

Keep animal fats out of it. Bread, too, which molds, and you don't want it. Animal waste or fats of any kind attract all kinds of lovely critters hungry for your trash. It seems that, other than egg shells, the 'green' material should be fruit and vegetable peels and parts - grass clippings are also a great source of nitrogen.

Whew. I feel better now, imparting you with what little knowledge I have on the subject. Again, if you have any extra suggestions or things you'd like me to find out, please let me know in the comments below.

Comments

[Heather]

Hey Holly,

My back yard space is at a premium and most of it is now taken up w/ garden beds. Other than the official looking compost bins, what other containers do they suggest? Would a cheap old trash can w/ holes in the bottom (and maybe sides) work?

~ compost curious

[Holly Korbey]

Hi Compost Curious!

Yes, there are several ways to do compost. I actually read in Mother Earth News recently that you can actually just throw the stuff in a pile on the ground if you want! I can tell from your comment that you don't want to do that (and frankly, neither would I). I found this piece for you on About.com, I think this will do the trick for you: http://organicgardening.about.com/od/compost/ht/storagecompost.htm

Seems like a garbage can or plastic container, as long as it's aerated with holes, will work perfectly fine. If you want the compost to compost faster, I highly recommend some green bacteria stuff I got that's called Compost Swift, you pour it in your compost bin once a week to liven things up in there. I also read a bit about how to tell if you have the right green/brown mixture: if it smells too rotten and feels hot when you get near it, you've got too much green, you need to load up on leaves. If it's very cool and doesn't smell at all, then you've got too much brown.

Hope this helps!
Holly