Good Compost Pile is All About Balance

Recently, I learned that the average household produces almost 8 pounds of garbage a day. One-third of that waste is organic matter, so why not save the scraps for a more meaningful purpose, like composting?

Composting has many beneficial qualities. Not only will it serve as free fertilizer for your plants, but it is also a great source of organic nutrients and is one of the most eco-friendly changes you can make without a whole lot of work.

Thankfully, there are classes available to avid gardeners and beginners to help in this process. I learned about the basic science behind composting from attending an introductory class. I decided that knowing the principles is important so that I can better understand how to have a successful system. 

Pinellas County offers free composting workshops for residents. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection offers composting information and instructional videos online. 

The Science of Composting

First, it is important to know that composting is made possible by beneficial bacteria. In order to cultivate beneficial bacteria, you must create an aerobic environment, and the chemistry consists of carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, pH and temperature. Turning and tilling the compost will allow the oxygen to assist the organisms in breathing and consuming carbon to give off carbon dioxide.

The carbon-to-nitrogen ratio of the compost should be 2:1. The best way to determine whether an item is carbon or nitrogen is by its color. Carbon-rich materials are generally brown and include yard litter such as stems, dried leaves, shredded newspaper or brown paper bags, and pine needles (which are acidic, so use them sparingly). Nitrogen-rich materials tend to be green and include food scraps (except for meat), lawn clippings, coffee grounds and manures.

The pH of soil is measured on a scale of zero to 14, with zero being most acidic and 14 being alkaline. For a compost pile, the ideal pH is between 6.5 and 7.5. Although it is difficult to determine the exact pH of your soil, understanding what materials are acidic and which are alkaline can help keep your compost pile healthy.

The temperature for the compost should be hot in the middle. By tilling and turning your compost, you will help to ensure that every bit of the decomposing matter will reach 150 degrees Fahrenheit at some point. The temperature is important to maintain an aerobic environment. If it gets too cold, the soil will become stinky and useless. If it gets too hot, the beneficial bacteria will die off. Keep working toward a balance to get your compost pile healthy. Be patient, and don't give up.

How to Start a Compost Pile

Ready to start composting? If you have a container outside available for your composting materials, use that to hold the goods. Start with a bed of yard waste such as brown leaves or straw. Follow the nitrogen-to-carbon principles, and water the compost down if it appears to get too dry. Here are some composting basics for beginners. Some additional tips

• Beginning a pile near the soil will help ensure that microbes and worms will join in. 
• Having walls to contain the compost will help the material break down smoothly. I’ve seen people use recycled wooden shipping pallets from furniture, carpet and tile stores. 
• I find it beneficial to keep my scraps in a container under my sink until I am ready to bring them all out to my pile. In fact, there are really neat and innovative creations that can help you keep your compost pile neat and contained until it is ready to be added to the pile outdoors. My very dear friend Kristen Hess has created a Compo Keeper.

All things get sweeter over time, and with a little work and dedication you can supply yourself with a free pile of organic and eco-friendly fertilizer just by recycling your waste and practicing environmentally friendly acts of earth kindness. Each of us has the ability to make a difference in the world, so why not start in your own backyard?

Happy composting!