Composting
Composting is simply recycling food scraps, yard trimmings and other organic matter. Composting is the controlled decomposition of organic matter that takes place in the presence of oxygen. What they leave behind can be used…
- as potting soil,
- as mulch for the lawn and garden,
- to increase air and water absorption in soil,
- to decrease erosion,
- to suppress weed growth, and
- to improve soil texture
In nature, plants return their nutrients to the soil when they decompose. Bacteria and fungi decompose the plant materials into a dark, soil-like material called compost or Humus. This only takes place if enough oxygen and moisture are available. Humus provides nutrients that are necessary for plant growth, helps keep the soil moist and loose, feeds the earthworms and supports bacteria.
Composting is easy. Common materials like chicken wire, bricks, and buckets are all it takes to create a composting enclosure, which can be done either indoors or outdoors. Maintenance isn’t difficult either: regular mixing and a little water can ensure success.
What to compost – The IN List.
| Cardboard rolls | Clean paper | Coffee grounds & filters |
| Tea bags | Fireplace ashes | Fur |
| Gray cardboard boxes | Hair | Leaves and Grass |
| Sawdust | Shredded newspaper | Vacuum cleaner lint |
| Wool and cotton rags |
What Not to Compost – The OUT List.
| Keep out | Reason why |
| Black Walnut Leaves/Twigs |
toxic to tomatoes |
| Food Waste | attracts vermin |
| Meat | attracts flies and rodents |
| Oils Grease |
produces odor and attracts vermin |
| Pesticides | can kill composting organisms and concentrate in compost |
| Pet wastes | can carry disease and attracts flies |
