Composting Tips

Composting can have a steep learning curve. Here is a short list of composting tips that you should keep in mind to help your learning go faster. After a while these tips and strategies will become second nature.

1. If you are using manure in your composting pile, always be careful. Make sure that the manure you use is fully composted. If it is not it may contain pathogens that could make you, your family or your pets sick.
2. The inside of compost piles can become very hot and on rare occasions they spontaneously combust. Make sure you place your compost pile away from dry trees or dry grassy areas
3. When composting paper or using paper for bedding be sure to use it sparingly. Avoid composting paper with colored inks and high gloss finishes. Whenever you can, shred the paper so that it is easier to compost.
4. Bury any materials you want to compost under a layer of soil in the pile. Find out what you can compost
5. Aerate the pile four to five times per season. Use a pitchfork, shovel or garden hoe to turn and loosen the pile to allow air in
6. If you are vermicomposting (worm composting) make sure that you have 2 pounds of worms (about 2000 worms) for every pound of compost you add per day
7. Keep the moisture in your pile at the level of a wrung out sponge
8. Try to cut anything you add to the compost pile into small pieces before you add it. This will increase the surface area exposed to decomposition and thereby increase the rate of decomposition
9. Put any organic kitchen waste that you want to compost into the freezer for a day before adding to the pile. The freezing and thawing process breaks the material down at the cellular level making composting faster
10. If have built or bought an enclosed composter make sure there are holes in the bottom (make the holes 1/4 to 1/2 inches in diameter). This way, excess liquid will drip from the compost. If you put your composter on blocks you can use a pan to collected the excess liquid and then use it as liquid fertilizer on your plants
11. If your compost pile starts to smell of ammonia you have aerate it immediately
12. Keep the ratio of carbon-based (also called “Brown”) versus nitrogen-based (also called “Green”) at around 25:1. Carbon-based organic materials are usually dry (straw, dry clippings, newspaper) and nitrogen-based organics are generally wet (lawn clippings, vegetable scraps). Here is great list summarizing what you can compost and what you cannot compost.
13. If you add lots of a lawn clippings you will want to mix them into the pile thoroughly or spread them out on the lawn for a few days to dry before composting them. If you pile them on wet, the grass clippings will clump together and remove oxygen. Then decomposition will become anaerobic which leads to an unhealthy compost pile
14. Position your compost pile over soil rather than concrete. This way worms can access your compost.
15. If you live in a warm climate keep your pile in a shady area. If you live in a cool climate keep your compost in a sunny area. If you have harsh winters move your compost pile inside during the harsh winter months
16. Keep a lid on your compost pile to reduce evaporation
17. When you dig a small hole into your compost pile you should notice that it is warmer than the air temperature. If the compost pile is cold try adding more green organics
18. Your compost pile should always have the moisture level of a wrung out sponge. If it is too wet remove the lid for a day or two or the raise compost pile somehow so that the excess liquid can drain from the bottom. If the pile is dry you will have to spray water onto it

Once you are experienced composter you can write your own list of composting tips and best practices.