Composting Basics Chip Boling Clemson Extension Service

What is Composting n Composting is controlled biological reduction of organic wastes to “humus”

Benefits of Compost n Improves soil structure n Supplies plant with essential plant nutrients-not a substitute for fertilizer n Stores nutrients for long-term availability to plants n Supports beneficial soil life

Qualities of Finished Compost n Fine n Dark n Sweet Smelling n Doesn’t heat up under otherwise good composting conditions n pH is

Factors Affecting the Composting Process n Carbon and Nitrogen content of materials n Size of particles-surface area exposed n Moisture levels n Aeration of materials in the compost n Volume of materials

Microbes (Decomposers) n Bacteria n Actinomycetes n Protozoa n Fungi (most “like” F and some will even tolerate 120 F)

Optimum Carbon:Nitrogen Ratio is 30:1 (By Weight)

Carbon:Nitrogen Ratios (By Weight) Materials with High Nitrogen Ratios u Kitchen Scraps 12-20:1 u Grass Clippings, green 12-25:1 u Coffee grounds 20:1 u Cow manure 20:1 u Horse Manure 25:1 u Horse Manure (w/litter) 30-60:1 u Poultry Manure (fresh) 10:1 u Pig Manure 5-7:1

Carbon:Nitrogen Ratios (By Weight) Materials with High Carbon Ratios u Foliage (leaves) 30-80:1 u Corn Stalks 60:1 u Straw :1 u Bark :1 u Paper :1 u Wood Chips & Sawdust :1

Items That Go Into A Compost Pile n Aquatic Weeds n Bread n Fruit (avoid pits) n Tea Leaves n Garden Wastes n Wood Ash n Egg Shells n Evergreen Needles n Wood Chips

Items That Do Not Go Into A Compost Pile n Butter n Cat & Dog Manure n Diseased Plants n Fish Scraps n Hard Seeded Weeds n Mayonaise & Salad Dressing n Meat & Bones n Peanut Butter n Vegetable Oil

Temperature of Your Pile n Psychrophilic Bacteria 55 F n Mesophilic Bacteria F n Thermophilic Bacteria F Many decomposers die when temperatures rise above 160 F

Ideal Temperature n 90 F to 140 F is Optimum n 160 F is “Sterilization Temperature”

Avoiding Pests n Keep high protein and fatty waste out! n Encourage pile heating. n Build an animal-proof compost bin.

Shredding n Speeds the composting process by increasing the amount of surface. n Small amounts of shredding can fluff the pile. n Excess shredding can reduce porosity causing compaction.

Fertilizers That Are Organic Sources of Nitrogen n Blood Meal (15%) n Coffee Grounds (2%) n Compost (1-2%) n Cottonseed Meal (6%) n Fish Emulsion (10%) n Manure (0.5-1%) n Seaweed Emulsion (2%)

Creative Composting n Grasscycling n Vermicomposting n Sheet Composting n Pit and Trench Composting

Uses for Compost n Soil Amendment (no more than 1/3 by volume) n Mulch (never more than 2-3 inches) n Top Dressing for Lawns n Component in Potting Mixes

Clemson Extension Service n Charleston u n Berkeley u ext.4140 u n Dorchester u u