Composting at Composting at HomeHome

Based on a scripted slide set written and Based on a scripted slide set written and produced by produced by

Robert E. (Skip) Richter, Robert E. (Skip) Richter, CEA-Horticulture, CEA-Horticulture,

Travis County, Travis County, Texas Agricultural Extension Service. Texas Agricultural Extension Service.

Composting: Composting: Making “Black Gold”Making “Black Gold”

Composting is Composting is fun! It's also easy. fun! It's also easy. Let's learn about Let's learn about how we make how we make compost and how compost and how we use it to grow we use it to grow beautiful gardensbeautiful gardens..

Common TermsCommon Terms Composting Composting is the controlled decomposition is the controlled decomposition

of organic materials by microorganisms.of organic materials by microorganisms. Compost Compost is partially decomposed organic is partially decomposed organic

matter.matter. HumusHumus is completely decomposed organic is completely decomposed organic

matter.matter. Mulch Mulch is is organic or or inorganic materials materials

spread in a layer on the soil surface.spread in a layer on the soil surface.

What are the Benefits of What are the Benefits of Composting?Composting?

Conserve landfill space by 25% annually It improves the “structure” of our heavy

clay soil by making it easier to cultivate plants – so the soil drains better

Improves nutrient levels Moisture retention And fights plant diseases

Making a Compost BinMaking a Compost BinThe method of composting The method of composting

selected will depend on when selected will depend on when finished compost is desired, the finished compost is desired, the materials to be composted, and materials to be composted, and the space available for the space available for composting. composting.

Five Different Five Different Composting MethodsComposting Methods

Holding units, Holding units, Turning units, Turning units, Heaps, Heaps, Soil incorporation, and Soil incorporation, and Worm composting. Worm composting.

Holding UnitHolding Unit Containers or bins that hold yard and Containers or bins that hold yard and

garden materials until composting is garden materials until composting is complete. Allow 6 months to 2 years for complete. Allow 6 months to 2 years for finished without turning. finished without turning.

Easy to build and least labor intensive. Easy to build and least labor intensive. Good for small compost amounts of yard Good for small compost amounts of yard wastes. Slowest way to compost.wastes. Slowest way to compost.

A Rotating Barrel A Rotating Barrel Composter- Turning Unit Composter- Turning Unit

A series of bins or a rotating bin that allows A series of bins or a rotating bin that allows organic material to be turned on a regular organic material to be turned on a regular schedule. Two general forms: either a series of schedule. Two general forms: either a series of bins, or a horizontally mounted rotating barrel.bins, or a horizontally mounted rotating barrel.

With a substantial input of labor, a large With a substantial input of labor, a large volume of yard waste can be composted in a volume of yard waste can be composted in a relatively short time (3 weeks to 6 months). relatively short time (3 weeks to 6 months). Turning bins can require a greater expense to Turning bins can require a greater expense to buy or effort to build. buy or effort to build.

Worm CompostingWorm Composting Food wastes can be digested by red worms (red Food wastes can be digested by red worms (red

wigglers) placed in a bin with shredded and wigglers) placed in a bin with shredded and moistened newspaper, corrugated cardboard, peat moistened newspaper, corrugated cardboard, peat moss or sawdust. Requires temperatures between 50 moss or sawdust. Requires temperatures between 50 and 70 degrees F so a basement or semi-heated and 70 degrees F so a basement or semi-heated indoor space is required. Worm bin (Figure 5a) indoor space is required. Worm bin (Figure 5a)

Small amounts of worms turn fruit and vegetable Small amounts of worms turn fruit and vegetable scraps into a high-quality soil amendment. Generally, scraps into a high-quality soil amendment. Generally, every pound of food waste to be composted per week every pound of food waste to be composted per week will require 1 sq. ft. of surface area. Two pounds of will require 1 sq. ft. of surface area. Two pounds of worms are needed for every pound of garbage worms are needed for every pound of garbage produced per day.produced per day.

HeapsHeaps No structure is required for heap composting. No structure is required for heap composting.

The pile should be at least 3 ft. high and 3 ft. The pile should be at least 3 ft. high and 3 ft. wide; its length will vary depending upon the wide; its length will vary depending upon the amount of material used. Heaps (Figure 6)amount of material used. Heaps (Figure 6)

Least expensive way to compost as no Least expensive way to compost as no physical structure is needed. Heaps may not physical structure is needed. Heaps may not appear as neat and tidy as using a bin(s) for appear as neat and tidy as using a bin(s) for composting. Composting will be faster if the composting. Composting will be faster if the heap is turned regularly. heap is turned regularly.

Soil IncorporationSoil Incorporation Non-fatty food wastes can be buried at least 8 inches Non-fatty food wastes can be buried at least 8 inches

below ground level. Burying at least 8 inches below ground level. Burying at least 8 inches discourages animals from digging up the waste. discourages animals from digging up the waste.

Good method for disposing of small amounts of food Good method for disposing of small amounts of food wastes. Mix soil with the food waste to hasten wastes. Mix soil with the food waste to hasten decomposition. decomposition.

Wastes break down in one month to one year Wastes break down in one month to one year depending on soil temperatures, number of organisms depending on soil temperatures, number of organisms in soil, and the carbon content of the wastes. Do not in soil, and the carbon content of the wastes. Do not bury meat, bones or other fatty materials as it may bury meat, bones or other fatty materials as it may attract pests. attract pests.

Setting Up the BinSetting Up the BinNext select a spot to set up your bin. It should Next select a spot to set up your bin. It should

be out of the way but convenient to reach with be out of the way but convenient to reach with plenty of room to work around. Some good plenty of room to work around. Some good places would be near your garden or in a back places would be near your garden or in a back corner of the yard. It is also a good idea to corner of the yard. It is also a good idea to choose a location close to a source of water. choose a location close to a source of water.

Compost RecipeCompost RecipeNow for the recipe for compost. The Now for the recipe for compost. The

micro-organisms that recycle leaves micro-organisms that recycle leaves and other plant parts need an even and other plant parts need an even mix of brown stuff and green stuff to mix of brown stuff and green stuff to munch on. They also need air and munch on. They also need air and water to live and work. Put all this water to live and work. Put all this together and in time you will have together and in time you will have compost!compost!

Recipe IngredientsRecipe Ingredients AirAir WaterWater Brown StuffBrown Stuff Green StuffGreen Stuff

Five Containers of Five Containers of Ingredients Ingredients

Brown stuff is dead, dried plant parts like Brown stuff is dead, dried plant parts like leaves and pine needles. Brown stuff is leaves and pine needles. Brown stuff is high in the element high in the element carbon.carbon. Green stuff is Green stuff is fresh, living parts like grass clippings, fresh, living parts like grass clippings, kitchen vegetable scraps, weeds and kitchen vegetable scraps, weeds and other plants. Green stuff is high in the other plants. Green stuff is high in the element element nitrogen.nitrogen.

Don’t UseDon’t UseDon't use meat, milk products because pets Don't use meat, milk products because pets

and other animals may try to dig them up and other animals may try to dig them up out of your compost bin. Also don't use out of your compost bin. Also don't use diseased garden plants. They can spread diseased garden plants. They can spread disease back into the garden later when disease back into the garden later when you use the compost. you use the compost.

Don’t UseDon’t Use Meat Meat Bones Bones Cheese Cheese Pet droppings Pet droppings

Milk Milk Fats Fats Oils Oils Diseased plantsDiseased plants

Add LeavesAdd LeavesIt is easiest to build It is easiest to build

our compost bin our compost bin in layers of in layers of ingredients. Start ingredients. Start with the brown with the brown stuff by stuff by spreading a layer spreading a layer of leaves or pine of leaves or pine needles about 6 needles about 6 inches thick. inches thick.

Carbon SourcesCarbon Sources Here are some sources of carbon along with Here are some sources of carbon along with

their carbon-nitrogen ratio. You can use these their carbon-nitrogen ratio. You can use these numbers to better determine how much numbers to better determine how much brown and green stuff you should use to make brown and green stuff you should use to make the best mix for composting. the best mix for composting.

Some things, such as sawdust, are very high Some things, such as sawdust, are very high in carbon compared to their nitrogen content, in carbon compared to their nitrogen content, while others, such as leaves, are not so high. while others, such as leaves, are not so high.

Ideal ratio of C:N is 30:1.

Carbon SourcesCarbon Sources

Dried leaves 60:1Dried leaves 60:1 Pine needles 90:1Pine needles 90:1 Newspaper 125:1Newspaper 125:1 Sawdust 625:1Sawdust 625:1

Add Grass ClippingsAdd Grass Clippings

Next, for the green Next, for the green stuff, add a layer of stuff, add a layer of grass clippings a grass clippings a few inches thick. few inches thick.

It is helpful to mix It is helpful to mix the layers up a little the layers up a little as you make them. as you make them.

Nitrogen SourcesNitrogen SourcesHere are some sources of nitrogen along Here are some sources of nitrogen along

with their carbon-nitrogen ratio. Once with their carbon-nitrogen ratio. Once again, you can see that the ratio varies a again, you can see that the ratio varies a lot between the different ingredients. lot between the different ingredients.

Nitrogen SourcesNitrogen Sources

Food Scraps 15:1Food Scraps 15:1 Grass clippings 18:1Grass clippings 18:1 Coffee grounds 20:1Coffee grounds 20:1 Horse manure 25:1Horse manure 25:1

Shovel the Soil Shovel the Soil

Then sprinkle a Then sprinkle a shovelful of soil shovelful of soil or compost to or compost to add add microorganisms microorganisms to the bin.to the bin.

WateringWatering

Each layer gets a Each layer gets a good sprinkling of good sprinkling of water to wet the water to wet the ingredients. It is ingredients. It is important to wet important to wet each layer as you each layer as you build it. Repeat build it. Repeat each of the layers each of the layers until the bin is full until the bin is full and then..... and then.....

Look in your handout:Look in your handout:Plant material should feel likePlant material should feel likea ____________ ________.a ____________ ________.

Finished Bin! Finished Bin!

...TAH DAHHHHH! the microorganisms will go to work breaking down the ingredients into humus. If you want faster compost, you can mix the ingredients every few weeks but this isn't necessary.

Compost "Critters"Compost "Critters" Now tiny microorganisms Now tiny microorganisms

(that you cannot see without (that you cannot see without a microscope) go to work a microscope) go to work breaking down the organic breaking down the organic matter into compost. matter into compost.

Later, as the compost cools Later, as the compost cools down, you may see larger down, you may see larger organisms such as organisms such as millipedes, sow bugs, millipedes, sow bugs, earthworms and others. earthworms and others. Compost is teeming with Compost is teeming with living things! living things!

Soil microbes are the unsung heroes of a healthy environment, says a University of Georgia scientist. And one gram of soil could have several billion bacteria. It could contain as many as 5,000 kinds of organisms.

How to add Food Scraps- How to add Food Scraps-

Plano's policy regarding food waste.Plano (via the Health Dept.) doesn't encourage mixing food waste into open, backyard compost piles due to the possibility of attracting rodents.  Pocket composting, vermi-composting or using a latching cover for a bin are acceptable food composting methods.

Signs Compost is Ready Signs Compost is Ready to Use:to Use:

The pile has shrunk significantly, up to one-half its original volume;

The original organic materials that you put in are no longer recognizable for what they were;

If you are using a hot composting method, the pile will be no longer generating a significant amount of heat.

The compost has a dark crumbly appearance and has an earthy odor.

This is compost, the dark, earthy-This is compost, the dark, earthy-smelling stuff is rich in nutrients. smelling stuff is rich in nutrients. Plants love it! Let's talk about how to Plants love it! Let's talk about how to use compost to help plants growuse compost to help plants grow

Compost is Ready after 1-12 Compost is Ready after 1-12 Months, Depending on the:Months, Depending on the:

Size of the materials placed in the compost system,

the degree of management, and the intended use. Compost that will be

used as a top dressing or mulch can be applied after the least amount of time. Compost that will be used for growing plants in containers must be thoroughly composted.

There are many terms for compost that is ready to use. Some call it "stable," others call it "finished"; still others call it "mature".

Use Compost as MulchUse Compost as Mulch You can use compost You can use compost

as a mulch around as a mulch around garden plants, like garden plants, like this rose bush. Mulch this rose bush. Mulch protects the soil and protects the soil and shades out weed shades out weed seeds. seeds.

Nutrients are washed Nutrients are washed out into the soil with out into the soil with each rain to feed the each rain to feed the roots of plantsroots of plants. .

Mix Into Planting HoleMix Into Planting Hole Compost is great for Compost is great for

mixing into the soil mixing into the soil when you are planting when you are planting a new plant like this a new plant like this flower! flower!

It helps a sandy soil It helps a sandy soil hold moisture and hold moisture and nutrients better and nutrients better and improves clay soils too. improves clay soils too.

Use Compost in Use Compost in Potting SoilPotting Soil

Compost mixed with Compost mixed with some sand makes a some sand makes a super potting soil super potting soil for growing plants for growing plants in containers. in containers.

Trench CompostingTrench CompostingAnother way to compost in the Another way to compost in the

garden is by trench composting.garden is by trench composting.

Dumping Leaves in Dumping Leaves in TrenchTrench

Start by placing Start by placing leaves in the leaves in the trenches between trenches between raised beds, or in raised beds, or in the pathways the pathways through your through your garden. garden.

Shoveling Compost from Shoveling Compost from Trench Trench

By the end of the gardening season these leaves will be mostly decomposed and can be scooped up and placed around garden plants as an excellent mulch.

Or, you can mix them into the planting beds to improve the soil.

Compost “Pockets”Compost “Pockets”

Another way to compost in the garden is by making compost pockets. They are easy and fun.

Covering With SoilCovering With Soil

Next, cover the Next, cover the scraps with soil to scraps with soil to bury them and fill bury them and fill the hole. Now you the hole. Now you can make more can make more compost pockets compost pockets in other locations! in other locations!

After about a month or two you can plant a flower or maybe a tomato plant on the spot where you make the compost pocket. Then stand back and watch it grow!

ResourcesResourcesWritten and Produced by

Robert E Richter

CEA-Horticulture, Travis County

Texas Agricultural Extension Service

Master Composter Meetings first Saturday of the month at the Plano Children’s Discovery Garden on Plano Parkway between Coit and Ohio. Call to confirm:

Deb Bliss City of Plano Compost Marketing and Education Coordinator 972.769.4313

http://www.plano.gov/Departments/Environmental+Services/Texas_Pure/master_composter.htm

Master Composter Master Composter TrainingTraining

Learn the secret of gardening success in North Texas! Join this Learn the secret of gardening success in North Texas! Join this 16-hour class and receive in-depth instruction on composting and 16-hour class and receive in-depth instruction on composting and worm composting, as well as an opportunity to build a compost worm composting, as well as an opportunity to build a compost pile.  Participants will receive a compost bin, worms, T-shirt and pile.  Participants will receive a compost bin, worms, T-shirt and book.  book. 

Participants are required to provide the City of Plano with Participants are required to provide the City of Plano with 40 hours of volunteer service over a 12-month period in 40 hours of volunteer service over a 12-month period in compost-related outreach programs.compost-related outreach programs.  Upon completion of   Upon completion of their volunteer hours, individuals receive certification as a Master their volunteer hours, individuals receive certification as a Master Composter by the state of Texas and a compost thermometer from Composter by the state of Texas and a compost thermometer from the City of Plano. the City of Plano. 

A $30 materials fee will be collected at the first class.  A $30 materials fee will be collected at the first class.  Classes will be held at Parkway Service Center, 4120 W. Classes will be held at Parkway Service Center, 4120 W. Plano Parkway on Thursday, Nov. 2 and Friday, Nov. 3 from Plano Parkway on Thursday, Nov. 2 and Friday, Nov. 3 from 5:30 – 9:00 p.m. and on Saturday, November 4 from 8:30 5:30 – 9:00 p.m. and on Saturday, November 4 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Attendance at all three sessions is required.Attendance at all three sessions is required. To register, call (972) 769-4313.To register, call (972) 769-4313.