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Backyard Composting

Presented by: Barb Webb Master Gardener, Master Recycler/Composter Dakota County Fair - August 11, 2015

2 │ MASTER GARDENERS - DAKOTA COUNTY


│ MASTER GARDENERS - DAKOTA COUNTY

MASTER GARDENERS IN DAKOTA COUNTY

Mission: Educate and assist the public by answering

questions and solving problems about horticulture and related environmental topics.




MASTER GARDENERS IN DAKOTA COUNTY

What We Do: Extension Master Gardeners use up-to-date University information to provide education and horticulture resources by Teaching classes to youth and adults Speaking to groups Participating at community events and projects Writing articles Conducting research Answering online and telephone questions Partnering with other state and county organizations




OVERVIEW What is composting and why do it? Types of composting How to compost successfully Troubleshooting Recap and questions




WHAT IS COMPOSTING?

Composting is the process where organic wastes are converted into a highly desirable, organic, soil-like material. Finished compost is a dark, crumbly substance with an earthy odor.




WHY COMPOST? Healthy soil:

Compost is an inexpensive soil amendment that supplies nutrients and organic matter Improves soil structure and water holding capacity

Reduces landfill:

According to the EPA, home composting can divert 700 lb. of waste per household per year from municipal waste. This includes both yard waste (nearly 17% of municipal solid waste is yard waste) and food scraps (approx. 6.7% of solid waste is from food scraps).




TYPES OF COMPOSTING

Outdoor backyard composting Indoor worm composting * Demo at 3pm

Not being covered in this demonstration

– Municipal large scale composting – Aerobic and Anaerobic composting




RECIPE FOR SUCCESSFUL COMPOSTING

Need a habitat (site and bin type) Balance of brown and

green organics Moisture Air




FIND A SITE

City rules Neighbors Convenience Slightly protected Access to water Well-drained soil

http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&docid=luTFykE7Q8xQ2M&tbnid=PZ2k3ZSWude1AM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http://www.compostinstructions.com/why-a-bin-might-be-better-than-a-compost-heap/&ei=v0qjU_2oK5e1yASgvIK4AQ&bvm=bv.69411363,d.b2k&psig=AFQjCNG3mXst8sm7kwkzTgyDH1i15S791g&ust=1403296816272112




CHOOSING A BIN

Unenclosed usually not allowed in Urban settings because they can become unsightly

Choose bin approx 3-5’ in each direction (square or round)

Smaller than this tend not to develop enough heat Larger than this and air and water are not as able

to penetrate Need approximately 1 cubic yard of waste to

generate proper temp (130-150 F)




BUY A BIN…

Basic bin

Roller

Tumbler

http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&docid=ARVAjzEBMeJAeM&tbnid=8twVAwM7VZSwcM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http://www.eco-outfitter.com/p-137-achla-cmp-05-spinning-horizontal-composter.aspx&ei=wUujU6aRNM-NyASAnoC4Dg&bvm=bv.69411363,d.b2k&psig=AFQjCNH8XZGgdKpcVjrpbGYHtpl9_u_JPg&ust=1403296947677385




OR BUILD A BIN…

Chicken wire Wood/pallet Multi-bin wood

http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&docid=8K0A00nJnt0maM&tbnid=0x5LrADTNg-vbM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/ultimate-compost-bin&ei=d0ujU7nbHcKHyASCxYHgBg&bvm=bv.69411363,d.b2k&psig=AFQjCNH8XZGgdKpcVjrpbGYHtpl9_u_JPg&ust=1403296947677385




OTHER IDEAS…




WHAT DO YOU PUT IN YOUR BIN?

Yard & paper (Carbon)

3 Brown

Food scraps (Nitrogen)

1 Green




CARBON (BROWN) 3/4 Leaves, nut shells and pinecones Dryer lint Hay, straw, wood chips, sawdust Clean paper and paperboard (cereal boxes,

paper plates, etc), newspaper Wood ash (not from processed charcoal) Paper towel or tissues (unless they contain toxic

cleaners)




TIPS

Shred or break into small pieces (less than 2”) Do not use products from treated wood or coal Will decompose faster if bin is full Try to maintain 3:1 ratio of Browns to Greens




NITROGEN (GREEN) 1/4

Fruits and veggie scraps Coffee grounds and filters Tea leaves and tea bags Green yard plants




NITROGEN (GREEN) 1/4 Remember! Can add grass clippings but make sure they are

not chemically treated. Let grass dry out before adding to compost. Don’t add diseased or insect infested plants Don’t include weeds with seeds




WHAT ABOUT…?




NEVER IN BACKYARD COMPOSTER

Meat and bones Dairy Fats: oils, mayo Pet or human waste Black walnut debris




SIZE MATTERS • Chop or shred compost materials to ensure

fast decomposition Remember, size of thumb or postage stamp is

best. Larger will decompose, just slower (don’t want larger than 2 inches). Mow tree leaves before raking Larger coarser materials will decompose faster

if placed on the bottom




MORE TIPS • Carbon or brown layer should be the top and

bottom (to moderate odors) • Soil can be added as a source of microbes,

but is not essential. Surfaces of compostable materials generally have adequate microbes.

• Commercial compost ‘starter’ is not necessary




MORE TIPS • Limestone can be added to reduce acidity in

the compost pile but is not necessary in most conditions because acidity will drop over time.

• Can be used for pine needles, fruit wastes, and anaerobic decomposition to neutralize acids.

• Apply 1 cup limestone per 25 sq ft for every 8-9” layer.




HEAT To kill seeds and pathogens: 130 – 150° F 3 – 15 days

Space: 3 - 5 cu. feet pile Oxygen/frequent turns




TIME

Hot phase Cool phase Finished compost

1 – 3 weeks 3 weeks – 4 months 4 – 9 months +




TIME (THE REALITY) Well-managed and correctly prepared pile: 4-9 months (doesn’t include winter) Unattended and poorly prepared May take 1-3 years (doesn’t include

winter) Sorry… Outdoor piles prepared in fall will not be ready in the spring




USE YOUR SENSES Good compost: Touch:

should feel moist (damp not wet) as a wrung out sponge

Smell: should smell earthy not stinky

Look: some bugs ok no rodents pile should shrink over time




HARVESTING Ready when:

– Rich, dark brown color – Smells earthy – Soft and crumbly – Won’t heat up anymore – No sign of original materials

Sift with screen – ½ inch hardware cloth – Return large bits to pile




USING COMPOST

Add to soil Potting mixes Mulch

Mixes: 50% compost or

less!

http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&docid=u0JSvACGPDLUSM&tbnid=Icz-NVsip9wiBM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http://bonnieplants.com/library/smart-compost-shopping-buying-bagged-compost/&ei=cj_EU4-IC8WlyATdr4LwBg&bvm=bv.70810081,d.aWw&psig=AFQjCNFqMLYLTuux9xjvalHu8MxEsh49lA&ust=1405456590848838




TROUBLESHOOTING No heat Slow composting Smells bad Wildlife Tomatoes




LET’S REVIEW

Turn pile

Organics

Rain

Air Vents

1. Create habitat (bin) 2. 3 browns: 1 green 3. Manage water 4. Add air: Turn pile 5. Harvest, sift, enjoy!

http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&docid=cbKqYJ1lTogJPM&tbnid=XNgJxbQyBSvlBM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http://ecowomen.net/2011/02/&ei=u06jU6v9MMypyATWxoK4Bg&bvm=bv.69411363,d.b2k&psig=AFQjCNHgs0f58o9gtYI6l7ef5rGex0_nqw&ust=1403297831965805




QUESTIONS?




RESOURCES University of Minnesota Extension Yard and Garden http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/yard-garden/index.html

*Free publication called Composting and Mulching: A Guide to Managing Organic Yard Wastes.




RESOURCES Master Gardeners in Dakota County www.dakotamastergardeners.org Minnesota Department of Agriculture: http://www.mda.state.mn.us/protecting/sustainable/mfo/mfo-diversification/composting.aspx Minnesota Pollution Control Agency: http://www.pca.state.mn.us/index.php/living-green/living-green-citizen/composting/list.html RethinkRecycling.com Residents’ Guide to Composting

http://www.dakotamastergardeners.org/

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