Composting: 101

Rachel Sly's informative and colorful article with the "Why's" and "How To's" of Composting:

‍Composting 101 ‍

Written by Rachel Sly

What is compost?

Compost is decomposed organic matter.

Why bother composting?

• All forms of composting reduce trash volume. The EPA estimates 28% of material in landfills is kitchen or yard waste that could have been composted, not added to a landfill.
• All forms of composting reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Plant waste in landfills releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Composted plant waste releases carbon dioxide, a far less potent greenhouse gas.
• All forms of composting reduce the need for fertilizer. Adding compost to soil returns vital nutrients and improves soil quality, reducing the need for fertilizer and other soil amendments.

What types of organic matter and composting methods are there?

Type of Organic Matter

Composting Method

Yard waste

• Compost pile or bin

Food scraps

• Vermicomposting
• Soil Incorporation

Baltimore County promotes the composting of yard materials – such as leaves, grass trimmings and twigs. However, due to problems with rodents and other animals, Baltimore County Code prohibits composting of food scraps in compost piles or bins, so two other methods of creating compost are also promoted.

What is Vermicomposting?

Vermicomposting is the use of worms to turn food scraps into a nutrient-rich form of compost.

What is Soil Incorporation?

Soil Incorporation is the process of burying food scraps in the ground to promote the natural composting process without attracting pests. It is a great way to enrich your soil with valuable nutrients.

What can be composted/vermicomposted/incorporated in soil?

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fruit and vegetable scraps | eggshells | coffee grounds & paper filters | tea bags | newspapers | cardboard | grass clippings | leaves | sticks | wood chips | wood ashes | sawdust | wool | hair

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What can’t be composted/vermicomposted/soil incorporated?

dairy products | fats/grease/oil | meat scraps | bones | metal | plastic | styrofoam | diapers | diseased plants | glossy magazines | pressure-treated wood | paint

‍How do I do it at home?

Composting is easy because nature does most of the work for you! It requires few tools. The basic process is:

• Collect compostable materials in a pile or container.
• Periodically mix the compost to promote even decomposition.
• Periodically water the compost to keep it from drying out.
• When the compost looks like dirt, mix it into soil or thinly spread over grass.

Many factors impact how quickly materials break down into ready-to-use compost, including temperature, moisture, and material size, but most compost takes two to six weeks to mature.

Where do I keep my compost?

There are many types of compost containers, or you can opt for no container at all and heap up materials right on the ground. Containers are widely available at gardening stores and come in many varieties to suit your needs: large or small, barrels with handles for turning the compost, models created for indoor use, and more. Compost containers are also an easy DIY project.

Vermicomposting is easy after the initial set-up, because the worms work the magic.  The following six steps are covered in more detail on the Baltimore County website:

• Choose a Worm Bin
• Furnish the Bin With Bedding
• Introduce Worms to the Bin
• Provide Your Worms with a Proper Diet
• Harvest Your Compost
• Use Your Compost

Soil Incorporation is great for those who like to play in the dirt.  These four easy steps are explained further on the Baltimore County website:

1. Gather Food Scraps
2. Combine Food Scraps With Soil
3. Relax And Wait
4. Enjoy the Benefits

Where do I use my compost?  Anywhere you’d like plants to grow!

• House plants
• Deck gardens
• Vegetable gardens
• Flower gardens
• etc.
  
  

Where do I find out more?

Check out the websites below for more information on these topics:

• Vermicomposting (with worms)
• “Green” vs. “brown” compost materials: nitrogen/carbon balancing
• Tips for maintaining optimal temperature and moisture levels
• Tips for using compost to rejuvenate lawns and gardens
• Compost tea
• Aerobic vs. anaerobic composting
• Instructions for building compost bins
• Complete lists of compostable and non-compostable materials

Baltimore County: https://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/Agencies/publicworks/recycling/composting/

EPA: https://www.epa.gov/recycle/composting-home

Earth Easy: https://learn.eartheasy.com/guides/composting/

How to Compost: http://howtocompost.org/

Austin Real Estate web page of composting resources (offered by Sabrina Bradford, 2/1/21): https://www.austinrealestate.com/homeowners-guide-to-composting.php