Backyard Composting
Backyard Composting
Backyard composting is a great way to recycle organic materials by creating a pile or bin in your yard. Check out these tips to help you with your composting journey:
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Materials
Use a ratio of two to three parts brown materials (dry leaves, twigs, straw) to one part green materials (grass clippings, kitchen scraps). The terms “brown” and “green” refer to the material’s nature, not its color.
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Chop
Break up large pieces of fruit and vegetable waste, and twigs, to increase the surface area and speed up decomposition.
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Moisture
Keep the compost moist, but not too wet. It should feel like a wrung-out sponge. You can add sawdust to dry it out or water it to moisten it.
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Turning
Turn the compost every few days to a few weeks to help it break down and prevent odors. Turning also mixes the pile and allows oxygen to reach the microbes that break down the materials.
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Temperature
The compost pile should reach a temperature between 90° and 140°F.
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Bin
If you use a bin, make sure it has a lid and a floor, and that there are no gaps larger than ¼ inch.
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Don’t add
Avoid adding meat, dairy, greasy foods, diseased or insect-ridden plants, pet waste, or yard trimmings treated with pesticides to your compost pile. These items can create odors, attract pests, or contain pathogens.
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Compost is ready
Compost is ready when it’s crumbly, sweet-smelling, and has turned a rich dark brown.
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Use compostAdd about two inches of compost to new beds, and about one inch each year to existing beds. Incorporate the compost into the soil as much as possible.Together, we can create a brighter future for the generations to come. Stay connected with us at Johnson Ops Tree Care for updates on our Community Composting Program.
