Cultivating the decay of kitchen scraps, yard cuttings, dead leaves and crumpled napkins destined for landfills infuses landscapes with new life. A well-managed compost pile promotes decomposition of those organic materials that eventually crumble into a nutrient-packed humus.
That “black gold” is an organic amendment that also improves soil structure, reduces erosion and runoff and feeds beneficial insects and microorganisms.
An estimated 35% of compost-worthy solid waste material in landfills comes from food and yards. That material generates greenhouse gases, while its potential benefits are lost.
Composting is not a “one-size-fits-all” process, said Sierra Seekford, a Virginia Cooperative Extension agent in Chesterfield County.
“You can determine the type of system that works best for your needs and available space,” she continued. “Even the apartment or condo dweller can compost using just a little space on a patio or balcony!”
Composting tumblers are available commercially, while homemade bins can be constructed with planks, concrete blocks, pallets, hardware cloth or chicken wire.
Chop or shred all plant materials for faster composting. Carbon material should exceed nitrogen volume 3-to-1.
Start with a three-inch layer of coarse plant material. Add about nine inches of dry or dead plant material as a carbon source. Provide nitrogen with three or more inches of wet or recently growing plant materials. Mix the materials, and add layers.
Turn it every seven to 10 days, exposing materials on the inside and covering materials on the outside.
Healthy, decaying compost heats up within days. When the pile cools, mix the materials and provide air throughout, Seekford said.
The pile’s center should reach 140º for up to five days and be moist like a wrung-out sponge.
Extension compost experts suggest composting:
Grass clippings (without herbicide)
Fallen and dead leaves; shredded twigs
Weeds free of seedheads and chemical residues
Vegetable and fruit peelings
Coffee grounds, filters and tea leaves
Crushed eggshells
Sawdust (from untreated wood)
Manure (herbivores only)
Hay or straw
Uncoated paper products (bags, cardboard, towels and napkins)
Foodservice ware specifically labeled “for home composting”
Don’t compost the following materials, because they attract animals or won’t fully decompose in residential settings:
Meat, fish and bones
Cheese and dairy products
Fats, oils and grease
Cooked food (small amounts are fine)
Herbicide-treated yard debris
Aggressive weeds/weeds with seeds
Diseased and pest-infested plants
Treated or painted wood products
Pet waste and cat litter
Dryer lint
Glossy paper, unknown inks
Produce stickers
See the full story and Extension resources in Virgina Farm Bureau’s winter Cultivate magazine at issuu.com/virginiafarmbureau.
