CompostingGreen Drinks ~ June 2012

Presented by: Lacy Kuller

Composting : The BasicsComposting is the transformation of organic

material (plant matter) through decomposition into a soil-like material called compost. Who helps facilitate? Invertebrates (insects

and earthworms) and microorganisms (bacteria and fungi)

Why Compost?Yard and food waste make up approximately

30% of the waste stream in the United States…Turn kitchen and yard waste into ‘black gold’

and keep it out of the landfill and yourgarbage disposal!

The Right StuffIt’s all about the Carbon-to-Nitrogen (C:N)

ratiosCompost = Air + Water + 2 Parts Browns + 1

Part Greens‘Browns’ (high in carbon) = ash, wood,

cardboard, leaves, newspaper, peanut shells, pine needles, sawdust, straw and wood chips

‘Greens’ (high in nitrogen) = grass clippings, food waste, garden waste, coffee grounds, manure*, seaweed, vegetable scraps, weeds

RULE OF THUMB: If the compost pile needs moisture, add ‘greens’; if it has an odor to it, add ‘browns’

Composting MethodsPassive Composting (Anaerobic)

Slow to decompose, but still naturetakes its course

Requires little maintenanceGood for leaf molds

Active Composting (Aerobic)Can create rich soil in as little as two to six weeksRequires aeration, moisture and proper carbon to

nitrogen ration (C:N)Vermicomposting

Breakdown of organic waste using earthwormsWorm castings

Urban Composting : Little space? No problem.

Counter-top canistersCorner of back yardAttractive/enclosed binsVermicomposting can be done indoors

or on a patio / porchCommunity Gardens

Composting Bins

So what can be composted?Fruit and vegetable waste (cut to small pieces)Coffee groundsTea bagsEgg shellsNut shellsFlowers / garden wastePotting soilPaper towels / cardboard

AVOID: meat, dairy, cooked foods, diseased plants, yard waste with chemicals, weeds gone to seed, pet waste

Composting Resourceshttp://earth911.com/news/2010/08/30/composting-in-

the-city/

http://www.gardenguides.com/70276-types-composting-methods.html

http://www.howtocompost.org/info/info_composting.asp

http://www.organicgardening.com