Backyard Composting

Backyard Composting Sandra M. Frost BHB Area Educator – Crops

Advantages • Reduces fertilizer use • Alters soil pH • Improves soil structure

Factors • Location • Size • Water • Microorganisms • Air

Location • Shade • Out of wind • Near a source of water • Out of sight • Near garden

Tips for Success • Location out of wind and sun • Ideal size = 1 cubic yard • Water = wrung-out sponge • Soil biota with soil • Air – turn pile

Soil Biota • Bacteria – smallest & most numerous • Purple bacteria • Actinomycetes • Fungi – most biomass, dominant • Molds, mildew, rust, smut, yeasts • Collembolans • Millipedes • Worms

Feeding a Compost Pile • Microorganisms need food ! • Carbon / Nitrogenratio 25/1

Dynamics • Early – bacteria and fungi • Mid – high heat kills fungi • Late – Fungi work • Cellulose, lignin, bacterial bodies

Feeding a Compost Pile • Yes– garden debris, kitchen wastes, shredded paper, manures, leaves, hay, straw, grass clippings, sod, sawdust. • No– bones, meat scraps, fats, dog and cat feces, human feces, polyester materials, plastics, diseased plants, toxic stuff.

Possible Problems • Too wet • Too dry • Compost not working • Offensive odor • Leaves matted • Flies

Cold-weather Composting • Takes longer • Cover pile with a sheet of black plastic • Add more nitrogen-rich materials • Add 1 foot higher / wider for insulation

Worms • Tunneling = aeration & structure • Castings = nutrients • 1 lb / 1 lb garbage / 1 lb compost / day • Reduce time for composting to occur • Must turn pile weekly to moderate heat • Indoors – worm box (Red Worms)

Humus • Colloidal soil organic matter • Highly charged with large surface area • Dynamic role in soil • buffers pH, chelates cations (+ ions), pH • Over time it releases N and S to soil

Compost uses • Mix in garden beds • Prepare soil for new lawns • Add to flower pots • Use as a mulch • Give it away

Structures • Not necessary

The End

Backyard Composting