Property can benefit from increased composting

By Renée Sande
Marketing Correspondent

Rotting food is not usually something to get excited about. However, when composting is involved, the glorious process of turning egg shells, potato peels, grass clippings and coffee grounds into nutrient-rich, lovely dark earth is about as good as science gets.

One reason for the growing appeal of home composting is that it’s really easy and anyone can do it. There’s no white lab coat and look-of-a-crazed-scientist required.

Two, composting saves money and disposal space. Why spend money on fertilizer when you can make your own while decreasing the amount of waste you dispose of?

And three, compost makes your soil and garden fertile, and therefore protects the aquifer by reducing the need for synthetic lawn and garden chemicals.

So, even though composting is an easy process, there are a few things required besides dumping your kitchen leftovers in a discreet area of your backyard (although this will eventually yield results – it’ll just take a lot longer).

Compost bins can help speed up the process and organize the components. You can build your own bin using wood and/or wire mesh or select from a variety of manufactured bins, available in a wide price range. It doesn’t really matter which bin you use, as long as it’s big enough – too small and the pile won’t “heat up” (decompose efficiently), but too large, and it can become anaerobic (insufficient oxygen slows down the process) and smell bad. For optimum composting results, aim for your bin dimensions to be between 3-feet by 3-feet and 4 feet by 4 feet.

The insects and microorganisms (bacteria, yeasts and fungi) that do the work of composting will come no matter what you do. A number of macro-organisms, such as springtails, ants and fruit flies also contribute to the process. Fortunately, putting out the right ratio of materials – roughly 30 parts carbon to 1 part nitrogen – will be like offering them a free all-you-can-eat buffet.

So when should one dig into such a task?

“Now is a good time,” says Ann Murphy, education coordinator for Spokane Regional Solid Waste System. “People often think about starting compost bins in the spring as their thoughts turn to gardening.”

However, she says planning ahead is important. For instance, dried, brown leaves from the fall can be an important part of your mix.

This “mix” must have four equally important elements.

Carbon: High carbon materials tend to be brown and dry, such as dead grass clippings, leaves, and even shredded cardboard and manure from herbivores. Carbon provides the “energy” or “heat” via microbial oxidation, facilitating the decomposing process.

Nitrogen: High nitrogen materials tend to be green (or colorful, like fruits and vegetables) and wet. These can be fruit peels, green grass and garden clippings (avoid weeds, weed seeds, dairy and meats) and are necessary to grow and reproduce more organisms to oxidize the carbon.

Oxygen: Oxygen is also needed to oxidize the carbon, and is introduced by turning the compost (a pitchfork works best) about once a week.

Water: Water in the right amounts is needed to maintain activity, but should only be necessary during dry spells.

If you have built a “Hot Pile” – a compost pile with a good carbon to nitrogen ratio, and one that’s sufficiently damp and oxygenated, the composting process should start immediately. What you’ll be rewarded with is moist, black, sweet-smelling mulch within 4 to 8 weeks. This compost can then be spread on your flowers, your garden, and your lawn.

However, if you don’t have the time to regularly feed and tend properly to a compost pile, Murphy says to not fret; the process will still take place, it’ll just take a little longer. This type of compost is called a Passive Pile, taking a year or more to produce the desired mulch.

Whatever your approach to composting, one thing is for sure: you’ll feel better about reducing your waste and at the same time, feeding your backyard with the rich nutrients it needs.

For more info on composting at home, watch Spokane Regional Solid Waste’s “Composting 101” video at www.solidwaste.org/ and click on SRSWS Composting. Then select Home Composting and scroll half-way down the page to the link. You can also call the Recycling Hotline at (509) 625-6800.

Upcoming Workshops/Seminars (go to www.solidwaste.org/ for more info);

March 22nd - Master Composter/Recycler Training starts
April 11 - North County Composting and Chipping Day
April 24 - Compost Fair at Arbor Day at Finch Arboretum - 11:00 - 2 (must arrive by 1:30 to complete the stations)