Composting is a natural process of decomposing and recycling organic materials to make a rich soil amendment. When we compost, we set up a microbial farm. The microbes that break down dead plant material live naturally on the surface of the plant; no starter or extra soil is needed. Compost improves soil structure, making heavy clay soil looser and fluffier and helping sandy soils hold more water. Compost adds some nutrients to the soil, and the microbial action makes the soil healthier.
Compost may be bought in bags or in bulk, or you can make your own. Making it may take as little as a month or up to two years. How fast the compost will decompose depends upon the proportions of green and brown raw materials, the size of the pile the size of the particles, moisture level, and how often the pile is turned.
Good compost consists of about equal parts of green and brown materials. Greens may include prunings from green plants, fruit and vegetable wastes, coffee grounds, tea bags, eggshells, and manure from plant-eating animals. Most weeds without seed heads are okay. Brown or dry materials may be fallen leaves, dried stems, straw, hay, small woody prunings, sawdust, and finely shredded newspaper or cardboard.
Don't use fats, meat or dairy scraps, manure from meat-eating animals, or wood ashes. Leave out diseased plants or any that were treated with herbicides.
Decomposition works faster if the plant materials are chopped or ground into small pieces.
Microbes need water and air to thrive; keep the compost uniformly moist--about the dampness of a wrung-out sponge--and turn it once a week.
Minimum size for a compost pile is 3' X 3' X 3', and a part-shade location works best. Compost piles can be in the open, but most gardeners prefer to use a homemade or purchased bin. To see a variety of compost containers, visit the Master Composter's demonstration site at Colorado Boulevard and East 14th Ave. CSU Fact sheet 7.212
For more information:
Grass Clipping Harvest Easily Recycled
For instructions on building your own compost bin see Building a Compost Bin (off site).
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