Scraps for the Garden
Composting reduces waste and enriches your plants. Here's how to make it hassle-free.
Deborah Snoonian
9/2007
9/2007
Every year, Americans throw away 61.3 million tons of household
waste that could have been composted, according to the Environmental
Protection Agency. Fruit and veggie scraps, crushed eggshells,
tea bags, coffee grounds with filters, shredded newspapers, flowers, leaves,
grass clippings, and even dryer lint, old wool sweaters, and the fur your
dog or cat sheds can all be composted. You simply collect these items in a
bin (see "Composting Gear" for suggestions) and let airborne
microbes break them down into a nutrient-rich soil additive that you can
use in your garden. And contrary to what you might expect, a compost pile
doesn't require much attention, and it won't stink or attract animals. To
get started, clear a spot outdoors for your container-the space should be
about five square feet, level, and out of direct sunlight
(too much sun will overheat and dry out your compost).
Then follow these three simple steps:
-
Gather Waste. As you collect food scraps indoors,
put them in a sealed container or in the freezer (to
keep out bugs). When adding these scraps and other
household materials to your compost pile, layer green
items like vegetable peels with brown items like dead
leaves. This creates the balance of carbon and nitrogen
that microbes thrive on. Don't compost dairy products,
meat or fish scraps, or cooking oil: They won't break
down properly and will create odors that attract wildlife.
- Care For Your Pile. Microbes will work on your compost heap as long as you keep it well-aerated and damp (this is also what prevents odors), so turn your pile once a week with a pitchfork or compost turner ($20; gaiam.com). If the pile gets dry, moisten it with water once or twice a week. Overwatering can kill the microbes, so don't saturate your pile, and cover it during heavy rain or snow. If your compost freezes during cold weather, you can continue to add scraps on top of it; just turn the pile thoroughly once it thaws. Don't be surprised if it gets hot or if you see a few worms in it-these are signs that the microbes are doing their job.
- Use Your Compost. After about three to six months, your compost will darken and become uniformly crumbly-and be ready to use. You can add a powdered compost accelerator (available at garden stores) to shorten this time frame by about half (check the label for directions). See ""Gardening Tips" for ideas on how to use compost on plants and vegetable gardens and around the yard.
