ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, April 11, 1996 TAG: 9604110013
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
COLUMN: Hoein' & Growin'
SOURCE: DOTTI FOREMAN\NEW RIVER VALLEY MASTER GARDENER ASSOCIATION
This past winter I stored garbage in the refrigerator. My husband has grown accustomed to finding containers of garbage tucked behind the jars of pickles and mustard but is quick to remind me that the potential material for composting should be removed. During the cold winter months my potential composting materials eventually go outside to a plastic container. These materials are now in my freezer until I get ready to add them to my backyard compost pile. My kitchen scraps of coffee grounds, grapefruit rind, egg shells, banana and vegetable peelings should really make a good addition to my composting efforts this spring.
Composting is one of the most natural systems of recycling backyard wastes. Compost is a rich and natural fertilizer that results when organic matter decomposes. Small bacteria in the soil perform the task of slowly breaking down organic materials such as leaves, grass clippings and kitchen scraps and garden leftovers. The result of composting yields a dark, balanced mixture of nutrients called humus. It enriches and conditions the soil and is the key ingredient to fertile gardens.
Composting helps reduce yard waste. It turns waste into rich earth to improve our lawn and garden - the natural way. As our landfills fill up, it is more necessary to deal with garden debris in our yards rather than dispose of potentially useful materials. Given a year or more, a pile of organic leftovers can decompose all by itself. With a little extra effort, however, you can create the right conditions for the microorganisms from the ground to interact with compost materials to help break down plant matter.
The necessary elements for successful composting include organic material, air and moisture. Carbon-rich materials are dry or brown - including straw, leaves, small prunings, sawdust and even shredded newspaper (not color print, however). It is always best to cut thick materials such as vines and thick stems into small pieces. If you have a lot of leaves, shred them with a mower first. The smaller the size of the added materials, the faster you will have finished compost.
Materials high in nitrogen are fresh and often green, like grass clippings and young weeds. My kitchen scraps are high in nitrogen as well. Avoid meat scraps, fats and dairy products because these materials attract rodents. When adding kitchen scraps to a compost pile it is important to cover them with a layer of dirt to avoid attracting insects.
A compost pile can be started anytime. The fastest composting takes place from late spring though early fall when temperatures are moderate. Most yard waste, however, is usually available in the fall. Although the period from November to April is the time of least microbial activity, sufficient action still takes place for composting to occur.
It will be important to stockpile ingredients for your compost pile. Collect the ingredients in advance and assemble the pile all at once. Although there is no exact recipe for making compost, roughly equal amounts of high-carbon and high-nitrogen materials are needed. When the microorganisms responsible for decay are given air, nutrients they need, the compost pile heats up quickly. In only a few months the compost will be ready to use.
The compost pile will become hot, reaching 130 to 160 degrees Fahrenheit in the center after it is constructed. The real secret of the success of a compost pile is in the turning of the pile. This should be done every five to seven days because the temperature in the pile will peak and the pile will begin to cool. In addition, oxygen for the compost pile is supplied by turning the pile. Lack of oxygen in a compost pile may lead to the production of ammonia or methane, which is the cause of odor problems.
Composting can be done in open piles or with a bin system. Commercial compost bins are usually made of black plastic with some sort of air holes for ventilation. A simple compost bin can be made of wire around stakes placed in a 3-foot square. A cover of black plastic with a 3-inch to 4-inch open space at the bottom gives sufficient ventilation. Poke small holes in the top to allow rain to enter. Shipping pallets also make good compost bins. Place one pallet on the ground and drive two metal support poles on each side into the ground. Slip additional pallet sides over the top of the poles. Build a pile at least 3 feet square and no higher than 4 feet tall. Cover with black plastic as in the wire frame bin.
Whatever your choice of bin, generally the minimum dimensions should be 3 feet on all sides to hold heat. If the bin is too large, it will restrict the air flow in the center of the pile. Turning the pile will also be difficult.
The right location for your compost pile will be important. Select a level, well drained site with good exposure to the sun to help provide heat necessary for the composting process. Also make sure a water source is near your pile. Rain may provide enough moisture, but during dry periods water may need to be added. The more important factor is that moisture get to all parts of the pile. It is better to add moisture as the compost pile is being put together. This will help keep the pile moist throughout the process.
To learn more about how you can compost at home, attend Blacksburg's Arbor Day celebration on April 13, at the Caboose Park. Among the planned activities will be a demonstration on Backyard Composting at the Blacksburg Recreation Center demonstration site. Master gardeners will conduct a demonstration on how to make and use compost in residential landscaping as well as answer any questions residents may have.
The composting demonstration site is located at the top of the stairs from the parking lot of the Blacksburg Recreation Center. Visit this site, as well as its companion site at the Virginia Tech Horticulture Gardens, for a self-guided learning opportunity of the essentials of home composting. Visit the sites to learn how to save time, money, landfill space and the environment by recycling lawn clippings and leaves.
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