COMPOST— THE TRUE CIRCLE OF LIFE

What is compost? Compost = (noun) decayed organic material used as a plant fertilizer. (verb) to make vegetable matter or manure into compost. A mix of green and brown plant/vegetable scraps undergoes decomposition to turn into compost. Compost is then used in gardens as an organic and all-natural fertilizer that is good for the soil and good for plants that grow in that soil. Compost is often called “black gold” by farmers because it has such value.

Ecological benefits of compost Compost does not use any chemicals to improve the soil or plants—it is the way nature intended to replenish the soil with nutrients and minerals. When scraps are thrown down the drain, chemicals must be used to remove them from the sewage system. That’s bad! When food scraps are thrown into the garbage, they produce methane because they are locked in plastic bags that don’t decompose. That’s worse! ☹ So, by composting food scraps, you “finish” the life cycle of the plant in a way that benefits the earth and humanity…there’s no downside to compost!

How to make compost You can’t just throw all your leftover food scraps into a pile and hope for compost. Compost is made by a reaction with carbon, nitrogen, water, and oxygen. Carbon is provided to the compost pile by “browns.” These include fallen leaves in autumn, shredded cardboard or paper, straw, etc. Nitrogen is provided by “greens.” These include vegetable scraps left from cooking, manures, fruit peels, etc. A compost pile should be about as wet as a wrung-out sponge at all times. Oxygen can be added to the pile by turning the pile with a shovel or adding ventilation pipes as the pile is built.

Tips for great compost The smaller the pieces of waste in the compost, the faster they decompose. It takes you longer to eat a whole pizza than a single slice, right? The same is true with composting; the microorganisms that “eat” the waste can do so faster if it’s already bite-sized. Remember that what goes in is the same thing that goes out. Although it looks different, compost is made up of all you put in…don’t put in anything treated with pesticides or herbicides. You want chemical-free compost! Add algae or seaweed from a pond to give your compost even more nutritional power.

What to compost…and what NOT to compost Almost anything that comes from a plant can be composted. Manure from herbivores can be composted. Eggshells, moldy bread, pasta, rice, coffee grounds, tea leaves, and paper products can be composted DON’T compost leftover meat scraps or any oils. DON’T compost droppings from carnivores (no cat or dog poo…or human poo!)

Vermicompost Vermicompost is compost…with worms. Instead of simply throwing the scraps into a compost bin, vermicompost is produced in a worm bin or worm house, using red wrigglers. Vermicompost uses the same general idea as compost except worms are used to add oxygen (as they move through the compost they leave tunnels that provide pathways for air). At the end of vermicomposting, a gardener is left with worm castings (a fancy name for worm compost/poo).

What to add to vermicompost…and what NOT to add Vermicompost uses almost all the same items as regular composting. Eggshells should be included only sparingly (maximum three eggs or so) and must be crushed very finely. Everything that should not be put in compost should not be added to vermicompost. Plus, there are additional items that should not be given to worms. Do NOT put citrus peels, potato peels, onion skins, or garlic skins in vermicompost.

Summary/Review Compost is the most ecological way to discard food and plant waste. Composting is beneficial and has no downsides (when done properly, it doesn’t even smell!). You need carbon and nitrogen (browns and greens) to create compost. Vermicompost is composting with worms. Don’t compost meat, fat/oils, or carnivore manures. Don’t vermicompost citrus, potatoes, onions, and garlic.