Composting
Helpful Hints: It’s easy to maintain a compost pile in your backyard. Start with soil and then add equal amounts of “greens” and “browns”. “Greens” are sources of protein which attract organisms to the pile to breakdown the material. The “greens” also provide nitrogen to the pile. Examples of “greens” include grass clippings and food scraps. “Browns” are carbohydrates and they provide carbon to the compost pile. Examples of “browns” include dry leaves and twigs. Once you have established an initial layer of material, place a layer of “greens”, then a layer of “browns”, then a layer of “greens” and continue to alternate the layers on a regular basis. This will ensure that the compost pile has an equal amount of “greens” and “browns”. It’s important to regularly mix the material in the pile if you want the decomposition process to take place rapidly. Then over a period of anywhere from three to twelve months the material will breakdown into compost and will be ready to be used as a natural fertilizer for plants and trees.
Composting Tips:
In order to maintain a backyard compost pile remember the following tips:
Add a layer of browns (dry leaves or twigs) then a layer of greens (fresh grass clippings, leaves and food scraps), then a layer of browns and continue to alternate the type of material you add to the pile.
Keep the pile moist, but not soggy because the material will not decompose as rapidly if it is too wet.
Do not add meat, bones or dairy products because these items will attract animals to the pile.
Trim tree branches to 1/4" in diameter or smaller because they will decompose faster.
Mix the material in the pile regularly (the more you mix the pile, the faster it will decompose) to allow aeration. (Retrieved from www.swa.org)
In order to maintain a backyard compost pile remember the following tips:
Add a layer of browns (dry leaves or twigs) then a layer of greens (fresh grass clippings, leaves and food scraps), then a layer of browns and continue to alternate the type of material you add to the pile.
Keep the pile moist, but not soggy because the material will not decompose as rapidly if it is too wet.
Do not add meat, bones or dairy products because these items will attract animals to the pile.
Trim tree branches to 1/4" in diameter or smaller because they will decompose faster.
Mix the material in the pile regularly (the more you mix the pile, the faster it will decompose) to allow aeration. (Retrieved from www.swa.org)