In my opinion, composting is absolutely necessary to maintain a self sufficient homestead. Not only does composting provide free fertilizer, it also reduces food waste. By reducing your food waste you are significantly reducing methane emissions from landfills. It is also a smart move financially – No more buying chemical fertilizer every year. There are endless uses for compost! Use it to mix your own potting soil, top your vegetable garden with nutrient rich compost, or spread it on your lush green lawn. Here’s how to get started:
1.) Choose a Location
Convenience is the key word here. Finished compost is heavy and personally, I hate dragging my full wheelbarrow across my yard to spread compost in my garden. Find a location that has easy garden and water access. On the other hand, you also must consider odor. You may not want to smell your compost pile while it is decomposing so don’t place your compost too close to the house or patio.
Partial sun is ideal for your compost. Too much sun will dry out the pile, but too much shade may withhold too much water. You must also consider which composting system you want to use. An open compost pile requires the least maintenance, but does require some land and low proximity to neighbors as it may produce strong odors and attract wildlife. If you want to keep your compost contained then you can build or purchase a compost bin
2.) Build the Compost Layers
Composting requires 4 elements: Water, Oxygen, Nitrogen, and Carbon. We all know where water and Oxygen come from but we now need to create layers of Nitrogen and Carbon. Nitrogen rich ingredients are known as the “greens” and promote microbial growth. Carbon rich ingredients are known as the “browns” and promote aeration. Typically speaking “greens” are wet ingredients, and “browns” are dry ingredients. There should always be more browns than greens. Aim for at least a 2:1 ratio. Sometimes even 3:1 or 4:1.
Examples of “greens”
- Most food scraps (mainly fruit and vegetables)
- Grass clippings
- Coffee grounds
- Manure
- Egg shells
Examples of “browns”
- Leaves or straw
- Wood chips, sticks, or bark
- Paper products (newspaper, napkins, paper plates)
Things you should NOT compost
- Plastic
- Glass
- Metal
- Styrofoam
- Meat and Dairy
- Manure from carnivorous animals (like dogs or cats)
3.) Maintain Your Compost
Turning your compost will accelerate decomposition. Newly established piles should be turned every 2-4 weeks. As your compost pile gets larger and well established you can turn it less frequently. Always examine your compost when turning in order to catch any signs of a problem. Your compost should be moist and warm (135 – 160 degrees Fahrenheit) in the middle. If your compost is too dry then add more greens. If your compost is too wet then add more browns. If you notice a foul odor or flies you may need to add more browns and make sure no food scraps are at the surface – always bury your food scraps under a brown layer.
Finished compost should look dark brown and crumbly. It will not have a foul odor – It should smell earthy like soil. Remember to be patient! It can take a year or longer to create finished compost depending on the ingredients.
