Composting Tips

So you've deciding you're going to start composting, congratulations! Here are so composting tips and info that might help along the way.

There are two types of composting, aerobic and anaerobic.

Anaerobic composting basically involves the piling up a bunch of organic matter, then letting it sit and rot. With anaerobic composting bacteria work slower and are less efficient. On average, composting a batch will take at least a year, and possibly longer. In addition, the microbes involved in the decaying process produce methane and sulfate gasses as a byproduct, causing a rather offensive odor.

Aerobic composting is a different process altogether. As the name suggests, aerobic composting requires air, specifically oxygen, in this composting process. Aerobic bacteria are much more efficient and therefore faster. They can break down organic matter often times in less than 6 weeks. Best of all, aerobic composting microbes don't develop the same odor causing gasses, which makes aerobic composting a virtually odorless process!

Things you can compost include cooked leftovers, fruits and vegetables, and other plant matter.

Things you don't want to compost include foods with high fat content and bones as they tent to decompose very slowly. You also do not want to add dog and cat waste to your compost as they may contain disease organisms that can make compost toxic. Also keep poisonous plants or plants sprayed with pesticides out of you compost.

Continuous composting is commonly the way it done. If you are adding new matter to compost that has already finished, try to keep the finished from separated from the unfinished compost.

The alternative to continuous composting is batch composting. Batch composting can be done with two composting bins or piles. This way, you can leaving one to finish the composting as you put new matter into the other, or also by temporarily stop adding composting matter when the process is near completing.

Using incomplete compost can stunt plant growth and also interfere with seed germination. Compost is ready for use when it has a uniform dark brown color, crumbly texture, and earthy odor.

Moldy and wet compost is normal. Mold on your compost will eventually decompose along with the rest of the compost. Green (nitrogen-rich) matter in compost are moist and the brown (carbon-rich) matter is dry. Some moisture is essential to the composting process, but also ensure your compost has good drainage. Mix the compost and add more brown matter if it's too wet and green matter if it's too dry.

Bugs and worms are an essential part of composting. Along with the micro-organisms, they are responsible for turning your organic waste into good usable compost.

A little time and effort, your compost will be readily to be tilled into your garden soil or added to the topsoil as a fertilizer.