Backyard Composting

Sandra M. Frost

BHB Area Educator – Crops

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Advantages

• Reduces fertilizer use

• Alters soil pH

• Improves soil structure

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Factors

• Location

• Size

• Water

• Microorganisms

• Air

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Location

• Shade

• Out of wind

• Near a source of water

• Out of sight

• Near garden

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Tips for Success

• Location out of wind and sun

• Ideal size = 1 cubic yard

• Water = wrung-out sponge

• Soil biota with soil

• Air – turn pile

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Soil Biota

• Bacteria – smallest & most numerous– Purple bacteria– Actinomycetes

• Fungi – most biomass, dominant– Molds, mildew, rust, smut, yeasts

• Collembolans

• Millipedes

• Worms

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Feeding a Compost Pile

• Microorganisms need food !

• Carbon / Nitrogen ratio 25/1

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Dynamics

• Early – bacteria and fungi

• Mid – high heat kills fungi

• Late – Fungi work– Cellulose, lignin, bacterial bodies

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Feeding a Compost Pile

• Yes – garden debris, kitchen wastes, shredded paper, manures, leaves, hay, straw, grass clippings, sod, sawdust.

• No – bones, meat scraps, fats, dog and cat feces, human feces, polyester materials, plastics, diseased plants, toxic stuff.

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Possible Problems

• Too wet

• Too dry

• Compost not working

• Offensive odor

• Leaves matted

• Flies

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Cold-weather Composting

• Takes longer

• Cover pile with a sheet of black plastic

• Add more nitrogen-rich materials

• Add 1 foot higher / wider for insulation

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Worms

• Tunneling = aeration & structure

• Castings = nutrients

• 1 lb / 1 lb garbage / 1 lb compost / day

• Reduce time for composting to occur

• Must turn pile weekly to moderate heat

• Indoors – worm box (Red Worms)

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Humus

• Colloidal soil organic matter

• Highly charged with large surface area

• Dynamic role in soil– buffers pH, chelates cations (+ ions), pH

• Over time it releases N and S to soil

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Compost uses

• Mix in garden beds

• Prepare soil for new lawns

• Add to flower pots

• Use as a mulch

• Give it away

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Structures

• Not necessary

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The End