The best ratio is 1 part green to 1 part brown material. Shredding, chopping or mowing these materials into smaller pieces will help speed the composting process by increasing the surface area.
For piles that have mostly brown material dead leaves , try adding a handful of commercial fertilizer to supply nitrogen and speed the compost process. Moisture is important to support the composting process. Compost should be comparable to the wetness of a wrung-out sponge. If the pile is too dry, materials will decompose very slowly. Add water during dry periods or when adding large amounts of brown organic material. If the pile is too wet, turn the pile and mix the materials.
Another option is to add dry, brown organic materials. Oxygen is needed to support the breakdown of plant material by bacteria. To supply oxygen, you will need to turn the compost pile so that materials at the edges are brought to the center of the pile.
Turning the pile is important for complete composting and for controlling odor. Wait at least two weeks before turning the pile, to allow the center of the pile to "heat up" and decompose.
Once the pile has cooled in the center, decomposition of the materials has taken place. Frequent turning will help speed the composting process. Bacteria and other microorganisms are the real workers in the compost process. By supplying organic materials, water, and oxygen, the already present bacteria will break down the plant material into useful compost for the garden. As the bacteria decompose the materials, they release heat, which is concentrated in the center of the pile.
You may also add layers of soil or finished compost to supply more bacteria and speed the composting process. Commercial starters are available but should not be necessary for compost piles that have a proper carbon to nitrogen ratio 1 part green organic material to 1 part brown organic material. In addition to bacteria, larger organisms including insects and earthworms are active composters.
Learn how to create and maintain an indoor worm composting bin. If you do not have space for an outdoor compost pile, you can compost materials indoors using a special type of bin, which you can buy at a local hardware store, gardening supplies store, or make yourself.
Remember to tend your pile and keep track of what you throw in. A properly managed compost bin will not attract pests or rodents and will not smell bad.
Your compost should be ready in two to five weeks. Skip to main content. Related Topics: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Contact Us. Compost helps bind clusters of soil particles, called aggregates, which provide good soil structure. Compost brings and feeds diverse life in the soil. These bacteria, fungi, insects, worms and more support healthy plant growth. Healthy soil is an important factor in protecting our waters. Runoff pollutes water by carrying soil, fertilizers and pesticides to nearby streams.
When that first batch of finished compost is ready to spread, congratulate yourself for your efforts because you are ecological minded, and know that organic materials should be recycled into the soil instead of being put in a garbage can.
By recycling the organic materials, valuable nutrients and organic matter are recycled. You have helped alleviate the solid waste problem!
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