Updated September 2020
In many regions, organic waste makes up the highest percentage of waste flow. It is attributed to a lack of awareness on how to make compost. This leads to environmental pollution and high costs of waste disposal. This article gets into the details on what composting is, and the ideal methods to utilise in the process.
In this article
- What is compost?
- Different types of composting and compost
- The benefits of composting
- How to compost
- What do you put in a compost bin?
- Composting infographic
What Is Compost?
Composting is a process of breaking down organic waste into stable substances. The controlled process helps in proper soil conditioning[i] Microorganisms living in the soil are responsible for the breaking down of the waste into valuable natural fertiliser. Compositing is, therefore, the most effective way of recycling organic waste.
Notably, composting is the same as natural decomposition save for the fact that the former is enhanced and accelerated using a range of ingredients. The human effort, in this case, is to ensure that the microbial growth is optimised. You must, therefore, be aware of how to compost to achieve satisfactory results. Composting can boost yield and soil quality in any grow area, whether a spacious garden, a polytunnel garden or flower beds.
Different types of composting
Onsite composting
Here, individuals or residents conduct the activity in their backyard. Homeowners and firms can reduce the amount of waste that needs to be disposed of to the landfills. As you get into details about how to make compost at home, you will realise that animal waste and large quantities of waste are unsuitable for the method.
Vermicomposting
The vermicomposting method involves placing red worms or field worms in bins containing organic matter. The bins can be customised to suit the waste matter in a residential or commercial setting.
Aerated windrow composting
In this case, the organic matter is formed into rows and aerated. The pile is turned periodically manually or mechanically. The height of the pile must be around 4 to 8 feet while the width should be 14 to 16 feet[ii]. The height and width are good enough to generate enough heat for composting.
Aerated static pile composting
The organic waste is mixed with one large pile as opposed to rows. The layers of building agents are added to the pile to aerate it accordingly. The piles may also be placed over numerous pipes that deliver the necessary air.
Bokashi composting
This is a type of anaerobic composting. Unlike other forms of composting, bokashi composting makes use of a special bokashi inoculant. This is usually wheat germ, sawdust or bran mixed with molasses and effective microorganisms.
Ericaceous compost
The word ericaceous refers to plants in the Ericaceae family. This is inclusive of rhododendron, azalea, pieris, and gardenia, among others. The plants are known to grow in acidic conditions. Ericaceous compost refers to the process of composting waste matter for growing plants that thrive in acidic conditions. Such plants are likely to turn yellow when grown in alkaline conditions. Plants need a lot of iron and other nutrients that tend to be locked up in soils that have high pH[iii]. It becomes daunting for the plants to absorb them, which can lead to poor production of flowers and fruits. Death may also occur in some cases.
Peat based compost
Peat is being taken for gardeners at a much faster rate than it can naturally be replaced. The problem is that peat only forms very slowly, perhaps around 1mm per year at most. This means that the valuable carbon sinks that peat bogs provide are being eroded, which allows more carbon and other greenhouse gases to linger, loose, in the atmosphere. This contributes to the massive problem of global warming. If we are to transition to a more sustainable age then we will have to eliminate our unnecessary use of peat as part of our efforts as gardeners to contribute to a more ethical and environmentally friendly solution to our global problems.
What Are the Benefits of Composting?
Composting comes with a range of benefits, including:
- Soil conditioning. Composting helps you to create rich humus and retain soil moisture in a garden or lawn. You are assured of better crops yield[iv] and healthy plants in this regard. The manure can be stored for a long time, ensuring that the farmer gets its benefits throughout the year or season.
- Reduces waste. It helps recycle kitchen and yard waste. Organic waste goes to the landfills once you throw it to the garbage can. The problem with this is that the matter takes a long time to decompose quickly. It explains why most of the landfills in the country are full. On the other hand, composting reduces the amount of waste that goes into the garbage cans.
- Environmental benefits. You can finally get rid of chemical fertilisers that pollute the environment through composting. When properly done, composting helps you to reduce odour in your community while at the same time doing away with vector issues. Weed seeds and pathogens are effectively eliminated from the environment.
- Lowers waste management costs. You will not have to spend a lot of money paying for waste disposal once you know how to make a compost heap in your backyard. The local authorities will also utilise fewer resources to treat waste.
- Enhances soil. Compost can not only protect and maintain soil quality; it can also enhance and increase it. You can improve soil quality and increase your yield of edible produce by ensuring a good nutrient cycling system is in place.
How to Compost
Given that there are many benefits of knowing how to build a compost bin, it is advisable that you engage in the activity. You can achieve this easily by following these steps:
- Purchase or make a compost bin. You can find compost bins online or from the stores that specialise in agricultural supplies. Ensure that the size of the bin is good enough to contain your organic waste.
- Determine the right place for your bin. It is wise to find an accessible place for the bin so that you do not strain to carry the organic waste[v]. However, the bin must not be placed near areas where your children and pet frequent. It must also be away from the eating areas.
- Fill your bin. Here, you are required to start by making a thick layer of coarse materials such as mulch or twigs. It acts as drainage and helps eliminate sludge. You should then utilise the three-layer system. You could start with kitchen scraps or garden clippings. Add dry leaves and paper to top the layer. You should then sprinkle the waste with water.
- Maintain the compost. The essential thing in this step is to aerate the compost. It can be done every three days or so[vi] to ensure that the waste does not turn into methane. You could also place pipes through the heap to allow for aeration.
If you live in an urban setting, there is a chance that you may not have an outdoor setting. You can use a worm bin or put differently, engage in vermin composting. In a rural or suburban area, you can utilise an open compost pile.
The type of materials used depends on what is available in your area and the results that you desire. When gathering the materials, answer a question such as how much compost do I need? This way, you will only gather the necessary materials and thus avoid littering your backyard
Whether you wish to turn your compost manually or otherwise. In this case, you can use a compost tumbler so that you do not have to turn the waste manually.
What Do You Put in a Compost Bin?
One of the mistakes that people make is that they do not determine what can be composted. Getting the best results is, indeed, daunting without the necessary information. See below an example of what can and can’t go in a compost bin.
| Compostable | Not Compostable |
| Weeds
Vegetables Fruits Egg shells (but not eggs) or crab shells Coffee Tea grounds Hair and fur Shredded newspaper Wood chips, sawdust |
Toxic materials
Meat Bones Dairy Processed food Pet waste Pesticide covered garden trimmings Coal or charcoal |
Composting Infographic
References
BBC, n.d. Making compost. [Online]
Available at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/soil_makecompost1.shtml
[Accessed 30 September 2020].
BH&G Garden Editors, 2020. Your Step-by-Step Guide to Making Compost That Will Enrich Your Garden. [Online]
Available at: https://www.bhg.com/gardening/yard/compost/how-to-compost/
[Accessed 30 September 2020].
Dyer, M. H., 2018. What Is Ericaceous Compost: Information And Plants For Acidic Compost. [Online]
Available at: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/composting/basics/ericaceous-compost-info.htm
[Accessed 30 September 2020].
E.Ouédraogo, 2001. Use of compost to improve soil properties and crop productivity under low input agricultural system in West Africa. [Online]
Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0167880900002462
[Accessed 30 September 2020].
EPA, 2020. Types of Composting and Understanding the Process. [Online]
Available at: https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-management-food/types-composting-and-understanding-process#:~:text=Aerated%20(Turned)%20Windrow%20Composting,-Aerated%20or%20turned&text=This%20type%20of%20composting%20involves,of%2014%20to%2016%20feet.
[Accessed 30 September 2020].
Weeks, P., 2020. How Often To Turn Compost?. [Online]
Available at: https://www.thedailygardener.com/how-often-to-turn-compost
[Accessed 30 September 2020].
Sources
[i] http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/soil_makecompost1.shtml
[ii] https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-management-food/types-composting-and-understanding-process
[iii] https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/composting/basics/ericaceous-compost-info.htm
[iv] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0167880900002462
[v] https://www.bhg.com/gardening/yard/compost/how-to-compost/
[vi] https://www.thedailygardener.com/how-often-to-turn-compost
Elizabeth Waddington is a writer and green living consultant living in Scotland. Permaculture and sustainability are at the heart of everything she does, from designing gardens and farms around the world, to inspiring and facilitating positive change for small companies and individuals.
She also works on her own property, where she grows fruit and vegetables, keeps chickens and is working on the eco-renovation of an old stone barn.
To get in touch, visit https://ewspconsultancy.com.