Today, I want to shed some light on the incredible world of composting – a simple yet impactful way to reduce waste, enrich your soil, and contribute to a healthier planet.

Why Compost?

Composting is not just a trend; it's a fundamental practice that benefits both the environment and your garden. By composting, you divert organic waste from landfills, where it serves only the purpose of assisting in the breakdown of household trash. Instead, you harness the power of nature to transform kitchen and garden scraps into nutrient-rich, humus-like compost that acts as a natural fertilizer for your plants.

Getting Started

1.     Choose the Right Bin: To start composting, you need a designated compost bin. There are various options, including traditional bins, tumblers, and even DIY setups. The key is to choose one that suits your space and lifestyle. We compost in old trash cans. While this works for us, it may not work for everyone. Something as simple as a pile of yard waste, grass clippings from mowing, and kitchen scraps can easily become a compost bin. We also compost in storage bins that are on sale at Lowes or Home Depot. These storage bins turned compost bins serve more than one purpose. Not only do we compost in these bins, we also "grow" Black Soldier Fly Larvae in these bins. You see.... Black Soldier Flies are drawn to compost because their larvae feed on decomposing organic matter. In fact, they are essential in the rapid breakdown of organic matter. We use this to our advantage in two ways. One, we want compost, and we want it NOW. Two, Black Soldier Fly larvae are a protein rich source of food for our chickens. So, by composting in bins set up to harvest these larvae, we reap the benefits of both of these. If you'd like to see how we do this CLICK HERE

2.     What to Compost: The magic of composting lies in balancing the carbon and nitrogen ratios. In simple terms, combine "browns" (carbon-rich materials like dry leaves, straw, and shredded newspaper) with "greens" (nitrogen-rich materials like kitchen scraps, grass clippings, and coffee grounds). Avoid adding meat, dairy, and oily items, as they can attract pests. If you follow these rules, you will realize that almost anything (besides meat and dairy) can be added to your compost. We set aside table scraps every day that will be added to our compost. We also take cardboard and junk mail, shred it, and add that to compost. Adding meat and dairy tends to attract maggots. Unlike Black Soldier Fly Larvae, maggots can carry unwanted disease.

3.     Layering: Successful composting is all about layering. Start with a layer of browns, add a layer of greens, and repeat. This helps maintain the right balance and speeds up the decomposition process. I want to emphasize that this layering process does not have to be perfect. Your compost pile will generally tell you what it needs. If you are not seeing... and smelling.... the composting process, you are lacking in either brown or green additions. If you are seeing overly smelly, wet, and slimy compost you most likely do not have enough brows in your mix. On the other hand, if the pile is crumbly and dry then you probably need to add some greens.

4.     Aerate Regularly: Turning your compost regularly aerates the pile, providing essential oxygen to the microorganisms responsible for breaking down the materials. This helps prevent unpleasant odors and accelerates the composting process. However, if you have a good mix of browns and greens you will rarely need to turn your compost.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

1.     Too Wet? Add Browns: If your compost is too wet and smelly, balance it out by adding more carbon-rich materials like dry leaves or shredded paper.

2.     Too Dry? Add Greens: Conversely, if your compost is too dry and not decomposing properly, introduce more nitrogen-rich materials, such as kitchen scraps or fresh green waste.

3.     Pest Problems? Cover and Mix: Cover your compost with a lid to deter pests, and make sure to mix it regularly to discourage their habitation.

Using Your Compost

After a few weeks to a few months, depending on factors like temperature and the size of your compost pile, you'll be rewarded with dark, crumbly compost – nature's black gold. You will know it’s ready because of its dark color and earthy smell. Use it to enrich your garden soil, as a mulch, or mix it with potting soil for container plants. You can get away with adding immature compost to your garden in a stretch. However, just know that it can be very "hot" for your plants. I only add immature compost to garden beds that I don't intend on planting for a few weeks.

Remember, composting is a journey, not a destination. It's a continuous cycle that turns your waste into a valuable resource, creating a positive impact on the environment. So, let's compost away and contribute to reducing waste while benefiting your prized plants.