Transcript Composting Presentation - University of Maryland Extension

Backyard Composting
How-to advice to get started!
College of
Agriculture and
Natural Resources
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What is compost?
Why start composting?
Pick a place. Build your pile.
Active (hot) vs. passive (cool).
How do I use it?
Resources to learn more.
Compost Through History
• Reference to use of manure in agriculture
on clay tablets, 23rd Century BC.
• Romans and Greeks used compost.
• William Shakespeare’s Hamlet advised:
“Do not spread the compost on the
weeds, to make them ranker.”
Famous Composters
• Many of America’s founding fathers were
farmers. All used compost.
• George Washington Carver said,
“…a compost pile is essential and can be
had with little labor and practically
no cash outlay.”
Compost importance grows
• In 1905, British agronomist learned
best compost consisted of three times as
much plant matter as manure.
• Rapid composting techniques developed
in 1950-1960s.
What is Compost?
• Organic material from decomposition of
carbon (dried leaves), nitrogen (food scraps).
• Happens naturally – certain techniques
accelerate the process.
• Dark, crumbly, soil-like.
Why is it Important?
• Reduces waste stream.
Yard and food scraps = 30% of landfill
• Improves soil structure.
• Retains moisture, slows run-off from rain.
• Reduces need for
fertilizer.
Starting a Compost Pile
• Select a location – away
from the house.
• Make your own, buy a tub,
use pallets for 3-bin style.
Starting your Compost Pile
- Ideal size is 3 ft. x 3 ft. x 3 ft. (27 cubic ft.)
Easier to turn, maintain aerobic action
- No larger than 5 x 5 x 5
Can be anaerobic if too large
What goes in your Compost
Carbon: dried leaves, straw
Nitrogen: food scraps, plants
Water: moisture
Oxygen
Carbon
Nitrogen
BROWNS
GREENS
Dried leaves
Straw
Shredded paper
Drier lint
Newspaper
Pine needles
Sawdust
Peanut shells
Kitchen scraps
Coffee grounds & filter
Tea bags
Fresh garden trimmings
Pet hair
Manure (from herbivores:
poultry, cattle, goat)
A Few Things to Avoid
- Meat, bones
- Dairy products
- Fats and oils
- Pet feces (dog, cat, other carnivores)
- Wood ashes
These can attract critters you don’t want,
may create odd odors, or contain harmful
bacteria/parasites.
Turn it to add Oxygen
Keep the worms, bugs, microbes happy and
eating your browns and greens. Use a pitch fork
to turn the pile.
Bugs, worms, flies, oh my!
Bugs, worms, flies, oh my!
• Soil invertebrates chew, decrease size of
materials for microorganisms.
• Mesophiles: microbes, decomposers that live
and reproduce between 40 and 110 F.
• Thermophiles: microbes, decomposers that
live and reproduce between 110 and 170F.
Active (hot) vs. Passive (cool)
• Hot composting
Materials added all at once. Temperatures 110-140 +.
Finished in three to four months.
• Cool composting
– Continuous pile. Add material as it’s available.
– Trench. Kitchen scraps placed 12” deep and
covered immediately. Typically near garden.
– Sheet. Layers of newsprint, yard waste, dried leaves.
Ready in six to eight months (next season).
Troubleshooting
Materials not decomposing:
Add water, turn pile to add oxygen, add more greens
Ammonia odor:
Add browns such as leaves, straw
Rotten odor:
Turn pile, add coarse dry materials.
Bury food scraps
OK, when is it done?
When:
• material is even color, texture
and has an earthy smell.
• temp of pile is at outdoor temp.
• a small amount in sealed plastic bag
creates no condensation inside bag.
How to use your Compost
• Mulch for garden, fruit trees
• Top dressing on flowering plants
• Soil improvement, helps change structure
– Enhances moisture retention
– Improves drainage in clay soil
– Attracts earthworms which
aerate soil
Compost Demonstration Sites
Master Gardeners offer how-to advice at five locations in Howard
County from April to November. Free bin to County residents.
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Schooley Mill Park
Centennial Park
Alpha Ridge Landfill
Miller Branch library
Robinson Nature Center
Top Reasons to Compost
 Reduces need for chemical fertilizers, mulch.
 Improves the structure of your soil.
 Reduces yard waste going to landfill.
 Slows storm water run-off, help protect Bay.
 Decreases water use in your landscape.
 It's easy. Good exercise!
Resources to Learn More
• Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC)
extension.umd.edu/hgic/resources
• HC Bureau of Environmental Services
howardcountymd.gov/composting.htm
• Howard County Master Gardeners
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