Wayne J. McLaurin and Gary L. Wade, Extension Horticulturists
Landfills in Georgia are filling up fast, and residents throughout the state are recycling items such as newspaper, cans, glass and plastic in an effort to prevent this problem.
Landscape recycling also makes sense because leaves, lawn clippings and tree trimmings account for up to 30% of the material being dumped in landfills today. These riches from Mother Nature can be easily recycled right in our own backyards by a process called COMPOSTING.
Composting is a practical and convenient way of recycling leaves, lawn clippings and trimmings from the lawnscape. It's also an economical way of producing rich humus that can be added back to your soil.
Composting is not just a practice for farmers, rural residents, or serious gardeners. Anyone with a landscape can benefit both the environment and their landscape by composting.
Here are answers to some of the commonly asked questions about composting:
What is compost?
Compost is a rich dark humus, an end product of the natural decomposition of plant and plant products under controlled conditions.
What are the best materials for composting?
Almost any organic plant material can be used for composting, including grass clippings, leaves, flowers, annual weeds, twigs, chopped brush, old vegetable plants, straw, and sawdust. Avoid composting diseased plants, weeds and seeds, or invasive weeds like morning glory and nutsedge. Kitchen peelings and coffee grounds can also be composted, but avoid adding table scraps because they may attract animals.
Do compost pile have offensive odors?
Not if they have good ventilation. Odor-causing bacteria are killed by heat within the pile. If animal manures are added to the pile, some initial odor can be expected, but it will soon stop as the pile matures.
Where can I make a compost pile?
Locate the compost pile in an out-of-the-way place in the landscape, in full sun, and on a well-drained site.
How big can I make the pile?
A minimum size would be 3 ft. x 3 ft. x 3 ft. Large piles break down faster than smaller piles, but they are also more difficult to manage.
Do I have to build a frame to hold the compost?
Decomposition works best if some type of simple structure is used. Any type of structure can be used, including welded wire, fencing, pallets, or blocks. Leave open spaces in the sides to allow good air circulation through the pile and the bottom open to the ground.
How do I construct the pile?
For best decomposition, it's best to mix a variety of materials. Most often piles are layered with whatever organic material is available at a given time. The smaller the pieces of organic matter, the fast it will decompose. Once a layer of organic matter is added, add a little garden soil or animal manure. This adds fungi, bacteria, insects and worms to the pile and helps speed up the decomposition process.
How do I care for the pile?
Keep the pile moist, but not too wet. To speed up the decomposition process and prevent odors, mix the pile once a month using a shovel or spading fork.
What causes decomposition?
The compost pile is a microbial farm, teeming with bacteria, fungi, insects and worms. These compost critters feed on the organic matter, breaking it down into fine-textured humus.
Does compost have a nutrient value?
Yes, compost slowly releases a small amount of plant nutrients, but it won't substitute for fertilizer. It should be used as a soil-building material instead of a fertilizer.
When is compost ready to use?
Compost is ready when it looks like rich crumbly earth and you can no longer recognize the original plant material. Each time you mix the pile, some ready-to-use compost should be available.
How can compost be used?
Compost added to the soil before planting vegetables or trees, shrubs, or flowers will improve soil structure and will help hold nutrients and water for use by plants. It can also be used as a mulch on the soil surface, or as a potting soil for container plants.
The University of Georgia and Ft. Valley State College, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and counties of the state cooperating. The Cooperative Extension Service offers educational programs, assistance and materials to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex or disability.
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Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating.
Gale A. Buchanan, Dean and Director