What is composting?
Composting is the process of breaking down plant materials such as leaves and grass clippings to a more usable organic soil amendment or mulch. Composting yard, garden, and some food wastes creates a valuable soil amendment. Compost improves the drainage and aeration of heavy clay soils and increases the moisture-holding ability of sandy soils. Adding compost to soil increases earthworm and soil microbial activity that benefits plant growth. With yearly additions of compost, a more desirable soil structure is created, and the soil becomes easier to work. Compost also contains nutrients needed for plant growth. A well-managed compost pile with shredded materials under warm conditions usually will be ready in one to four months. But if a pile or bin is left unattended and material is not shredded, the pile may take a year or longer to decompose.
Composting is a technique that is used to accelerate the natural decaying process. A compost pile is a collection of organic materials (materials made from plants and animals) such as leaves, yard trimmings and food scraps that will decompose over time to create compost. Compost is the end product of the decomposition of these materials. It improves soil in a number of ways. Compost increases aeration (the ability of air to circulate), water-holding capacity and helps plants absorb nutrients. By making your own compost pile in the backyard, you can reduce the amount of waste you send to the landfill. To learn more, click here to view the “For Your Information: How to Compost in Your Backyard” fact sheet. Back to Top How can you compost? Backyard composting can be as basic or fancy as you like. It also depends on the amount of time and effort you want to spend as well as how quickly you want results. Some people, for example, compost by building a wooden bin. Others take a plastic garba
Composting speeds the natural process whereby microorganisms break down complex organic matter into simple, nutritious topsoil. When this occurs on the forest floor, it’s called mulching, but when people have a hand in the procedure, we call it composting. Composting requires water, air, and rotting material with a good nitrogen to carbon ratio. Composting starts with the proper equipment. A container needs to be durable, with slots for air circulation, compartments for different ingredients, and a cover to keep out rain and snow. Some people like to mount their compost bin on an axle so they can rotate it and mix everything together. Containers should be kept on level ground away from sources of contamination, like pets or garbage. Turning some trash into useful fertilizer requires careful sorting of all the ingredients. The ratios of certain materials, like grass clippings versus banana skins, need to be monitored to make sure the batch of compost decomposes well. Things that seem li
