Recycling Green Moms

Composting is the most natural way to get rid of vegetable matter and create a dark, earthy, crumbly substance that is great for houseplants and gardens.  Compost is full of nutrients that are great for living plants; a perfect and natural way to recycle your organic refuse including fruit and vegetable peels, egg shells and even grass clippings and leaves.  Whether you are using a large compost bin in the yard to create large amounts of compost for your garden, or using a small countertop compost bin for houseplants, composting is easy.  With just three simple steps you too can begin composting and make something wonderful out of your kitchen waste.

Step 1:  Choose the size of compost you are wanting, larger back yard compost or small countertop compost.  The bin can be any container that allows air to flow and contains the matter.  Compost bins are available through many online sources as well as lawn and garden outlets.  A compost bin can be created using items around the home as well such as plastic tubs, barrels, wire fencing and wood and large cookie jars.  Yes, I said a large cookie jar!  Simply place your vegetation in the cookie jar in the correct portions and remember to stir your compost every couple of days.  Conventional countertop compost bins can also be purchased at local stores or at MasterGardening.com. This is a wonderful store that offers great products to get you started. Plus when your order is over $100.00 they offer free shipping! A charcoal filter (used for many air filters) can be cut and placed in the lid to help absorb odors and most store bought countertop compost bins come with these filters.  Stirring often, not putting in dairy or fatty items and keeping the proper moisture balance will also help reduce odor.  Although it is fine to have a countertop compost crock or bin located in your kitchen it is advisable to locate large compost bins and piles outside.  If it is necessary to locate a larger bin inside then I would put it in the basement or other area that is farther away from the living space or use vermicelli worms[i] to compost.  Larger bins that can not be aerated often can tend to smell.

Step 2: With the bin and the location ready you can start adding material to create your compost.  Alternate your compost with one part green to three parts brown material.  Examples of green material are grass clippings, kitchen vegetable matter, banana peels and even coffee grounds.  Brown material includes dry fall leaves, twigs and dry soil.  Remember to keep the proper balance.

Step 3: One of the most vital aspects of proper composting is the moisture level.  Too moist and the compost takes on an adverse smell and improper balance.  The compost should have the moisture composition of a wrung out sponge; about 60 – 65 percent ratio.  With the proper balance of green (high in water content) and brown (low in water content) matter the moisture level should be naturally balanced without ever having to add water.

Once you follow the three simple steps to beginning composting you will be assured that you have healthy compost at the ready for adding to your household plants, herb garden or vegetable gardens by following these helpful hints.

• If outside and exposed keep your compost in a semi-shaded area to help keep the moisture balance correct.  If your compost seems too dry sprinkle with water and more long term put an indent in the top so that water can collect.
• Turn your compost at least once a week to allow oxygen to get into the mix creating the optimum atmosphere for the essential bacteria.  A small indoor compost bin should be turned about every other day.  This can be done with a pitch fork, aerating tool or if using a closed bin you can spin the bin.  This will help to mix the compost to combine the green and brown with the compost that has already gone to ‘soil’ and allow oxygen into the center of the compost.
• To speed up the composting process make sure the particle size remains small.  If you would like to really speed up the process you can add lime or manure to the compost; never add both though because they counteract each other.

Now that you have the basics of your home compost[ii] with the three simple steps and a few essential tips you may find you experience problems; most of which have simple solutions that can correct the problems.  For instance, if you find your compost has an offensive odor you may want to add more dry material such as pine needles, straw, dry leaves and wood chips and aerate it well; chances are your compost is too wet or you are not getting enough oxygen to the center of the pile.  Additionally, if the compost pile does not seem to be heating up (an essential part of the composting process) you may want to add nitrogen rich material such as manure or grass clippings.  You may also want to poke holes in the pile and sprinkle with water to allow the center to get moist; chances are your compost is too dry.  Play with your compost until you find the right mix and conditions to suit your purpose and enjoy the fact that you are creating a useful product from your former refuse helping the earth and your garden or house plants.

For a list of what you can and cannot compost check out www.plantea.com/compost-materials.htm. You may be surprised by the huge number of household items that can be added to your compost including paper napkins and unpaid bills!

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