It's Green Living Thursday!

Well, here we are on Green Living Thursday and as promised I will discuss how to make compost. I know there is a lot of mystery surrounding compost. If you start doing some research you will find that some sources make it sound like a very complicated and exact science experiment. In my experience, there are many ways to make compost. Yes you can follow the scientific route and have compost in a much shorter time or you can take the more laid back approach and let Mother Nature do it in her own time.

In my own composting experience, which is minimal at this point, I tend to take the passive approach, rather than the aggressive approach. There are many good reasons for either approach, but basically it comes down to a personal choice based on the amount of time, money and available composting materials at your disposal. As I become more experienced at making compost, I hope to move to the more aggressive approach of making compost.

The EPA has an excellent page on composting and tells you about several different methods, including how to compost indoors and has a great list of what to put into a compost pile and what not to put into the compost pile. It is a quick and easy read with lots of information.

http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/rrr/composting/by_compost.htm

Here is a list from their site of what to put into a compost pile.

Animal ( cow or horse) manure
Cardboard rolls
Clean paper
Coffee grounds and filters
Cotton rags
Dryer and vacuum cleaner lint
Eggshells
Fireplace ashes
Fruits and vegetables
Grass clippings
Hair and fur
Hay and straw
Houseplants
Leaves
Nut shells
Sawdust
Shredded newspaper
Tea bags
Wood chips
Wool rags
Yard trimmings

Here is a list of what not to put into a compost pile and why.

Leave Out/Reason Why

Black walnut tree leaves or twigs- Releases substances that might be harmful to plants
Coal or charcoal ash -Might contain substances harmful to plants
Dairy products (e.g., butter, egg yolks, milk, sour cream, yogurt)- Create odor problems and attract pests such as rodents and flies
Diseased or insect-ridden plants- Diseases or insects might survive and be transferred back to other plants
Fats, grease, lard, or oils- Create odor problems and attract pests such as rodents and flies
Meat or fish bones and scraps- Create odor problems and attract pests such as rodents and flies
Pet wastes (e.g., dog or cat feces, soiled cat litter)- Might contain parasites, bacteria, germs, pathogens, and viruses harmful to humans
Yard trimmings treated with chemical pesticides- Might kill beneficial composting organisms

One thing you will need prior to starting your compost pile is a container for your compost. This can be anything from a small, wire bin you make yourself, to a three bin system or even a tumbling composter. There are many styles available online and at garden centers well as directions on how to build one. However, several things will determine what type of container you will need. The amount of time, money, space and materials you have will all play a part in the type of composting container you get, as well as the amount of effort you want to put into it. If you are a little handy, you can even build your own bin or make one out of a trash can. The most important thing about composting is that you do it!

Once you have your compost bin and have read up on what to put in to the pile and what to avoid, you are ready to start composting. Certain methods will yield compost faster than others, but as long as you don't have a soggy, wet pile that turns to slime, you will eventually get compost. If you pile is in danger of getting to wet and you have an open container, you can throw a tarp on top to keep some of the winter moisture out of the pile. Composting doesn't have to be hard or scientific. Just follow a few simple rules about what to put into the pile, turn it as much as you can, keep it moist and eventually you will get compost.

The most wonderful thing about composting is that it is keeping all that waste out of the landfills. Making less trash is something we should all be concerned about. Composting and recycling are easy to do and help to alleviate the amount of trash put into our landfills each year. If you are still unsure about composting, do some research online or pick up a book at the library. There is a lot of information out there now about organic gardening and composting. Remember, your garden will thank you for composting with healthier trees and a bountiful garden.