Home Composting

101RECYCLE UTAH, YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY RECYCLING CENTER SINCE 1990

PARK CITY, UTAH

What is Composting?

Why Should We Do It? Composting is the accelerated break-down of organic

material

It can divert up to 30% of waste headed for the landfill

Composting regulates water retention and improves soil structure

Protection against erosion and soil-borne diseases

Humus, composting’s end-product, is nutrient-rich and can act as a chemical free, organic fertilizer

The Big Four

GREENS

Nitrogen-rich, moist materials that will help provide heat for the

decomposition process

Fruit and vegetable scraps

Grass clippings

Flowers

Corn cobs and stalks

Coffee grounds and filters

BROWNS

Carbon-rich, dry, anything from a tree

Leaves, twigs, and pine needles

Egg shells

Shredded newspaper

Cardboard scraps

Fireplace ashes

Straw and Hay

Water & Oxygen

Water creates a moist environment that is required for the break-down process

to work

Compost piles shrink considerably due to water loss

Aerobic bacteria needs to be created by leaving space for air (and oxygen!) to move

Compostable vs. Non-Compostable

Compostable

Fruit and vegetable scraps

Grass, tree, and hedge clippings

Hair and nail clippings

Egg Shells

Coffee grounds, filters, and tea

bags

Shredded newspaper and

cardboard scraps

Paper napkins and plates

Non-Compostable

Bread products – pasta, cakes, or

baked goods

Cooking oils or animal fats

Meat and bones

Dairy Products

Rice

Walnuts

Animal and human feces

Diseased plants

Household Compost Structures

No bin system

Loose system without barriers

This method is not suggested for kitchen waste

One bin system

Can be homemade, or bought at

Recycle Utah

Hoop system composter

Can easily be homemade with recycled

chicken-wire and wooden stakes

A homemade composter made from recycled wooden pallets

Pallets can be found at Recycle Utah

Compost Preparation

Initial Prep

You will need to pick a level, well-

drained area for the compost

heap

Your compost heap needs to be at

least 4 x 4 feet

Rake the ground before starting

the compost heap

Compost Preparation

Layers

For a functional compost system, you will need one part green matter to three parts brown matter

Layer 1: Brown matter like dry leaves to ensure airflow and to add carbon

Layer 2: Green matter like kitchen waste to add nitrogen

Layer 3: A small layer of soil to add microorganisms

Compost Preparation

Water and Oxygen

The compost heap will need

periodic watering

The compost heap will need

periodic movement

The movement will fuel the

microorganisms and the

decomposition process by allowing

oxygen to flow

Potential Problems with your

Compost

Not Hot Enough

If the compost is below 140

degrees Fahrenheit, it is important

to know that the decomposition

process is still happening, just at a

slower rate

Problem: The compost pile is too

small

Solution: Collect more brown and

green matter to mix into the pile

Too Dry

The center of the compost pile is

too dry – dryer than a damp

washcloth

Problem: Not enough water

Solution: Mix in more green matter,

add water, and turn the pile

Potential Problems with your

Compost

Bad Odor

The compost heap is not

supposed to smell bad

Problem: The compost heap is too

wet, without sufficient oxygen

Solution: Mix in brown matter, and

turn the pile

Too Wet

The compost heap should be as

moist as a damp washcloth

Problem: Lack of nitrogen

Solution: Mix in green matter like

fruit and veggie scraps, or grass

clippings

Black Gold - The Finished Product

What is Humus?

Humus is what you’re left with after

the composting process is

complete

Once you can no longer discern

the original materials and the

matter is a rich brown color, you

know you have humus

What can you do with it?

Humus can be used in lieu of store-

bought soil for gardening beds

and potted plants

Humus can replace chemical

fertilizers due to its high nutrient

content

Use as a root stabilizer or mulch

The Magical Organic Method

Trench

Composting

Dig trenches in your

garden between raised

beds

Fill the trenches with dry

or wet leaves

By next growing season,

you will have trenches

filled with humus –

nutrient dense soil

Composting

Pockets

Dig a hole in your

garden about a foot

and a half deep

Fill the hole with kitchen

scraps, and cover with

soil

By the next growing

season, you will have

pockets filled with humus

– nutrient dense soil

Leave Grass

Clippings

Grass clippings are 85%

water and decompose

quickly

Set your mower to 3” tall

Leave the grass

clippings on the grass

The grass clippings will

serve as a natural

fertilizer for your lawn

Sources and Credits

http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/earthknd/compost/compost.html

Composting For Kids

http://sustainable.tamu.edu/slidesets/kidscompost/cover.html

SOCRRA - Home Composting. Recycle your yard waste the natural way.

Recycle Utah - Compost Benefits for healthy soils and water protection.