|
R.E.A.P.S. Guide to Backyard Composting
Anything that was once a living plant can be composted, but to make your compost work well you need a balance of nitrogen
and carbon rich materials. All plants contain nitrogen and carbon but the ratio of nitrogen to carbon varies. Green materials
such as grass clippings are high in nitrogen whereas brown materials such as the autumn leaves are high in carbon. If you use equal amounts of green and brown materials, i.e. one bucket of grass clippings and one bucket of leaves, you should obtain a good balance.The materials can be layered or mixed together. Mixing will start the compost working more quickly.
Four Essential Ingredients for Good Composting:
Nitrogen - Carbon - Water - Oxygen
|
Nitrogen-Rich Materials |
Carbon Rich Materials |
|
fresh grass clippings, kitchen scraps, manure, plant trimmings |
cardboard, dried grass, fall leaves, glossy paper, newspaper, office paper |
Balancing the supply of water and oxygen is essential for good composting. The decomposers need moisture to do their work. If the pile is too dry, nothing much will happen. If the pile is too wet it will smell. The pile should be as moist as a wrung-out sponge. Too wet a pile eliminates the essential oxygen that the decomposers need. Even with the right amount of moisture the pile tends to pack down and squeeze out the oxygen.To avoid this, aerate your pile at least once a week. A compost turner, shovel, garden fork, potato hoe or stirrup hoe, can be used to turn your pile. Use a tool that is easy on your back and that you are comfortable using. A lid can be helpful for retaining or repelling water.
|
Compost Problems? Solutions!
|
| Compost has unpleasant smell |
Too wet, not enough oxygen: add dry material and aerate.
|
| Compost smells of ammonia |
Too much nitrogen: add carbon material and mix.
|
| Composter not working |
Too dry: add water OR Not enough nitrogen add nitrogen rich material and mix.
|
| Too many flies |
Kitchen waste exposed: cover with dirt, leaves, etc.
|
| Ants in the pile building a nest |
Too dry: add water and mix.
|
| Pale green mould in pile |
Too wet: add dry material. |
Whether using a purchased or hand-built container, always start with a layer of twigs or coarse material such as straw to allow for good air circulation. Materials can then beaded in layers no more than 10cm thick. Alternate the kinds of material used or mix them together. The smaller the materials are chopped or shredded, the faster the composting process will work. The pile should be at least one cubic metre in size but no larger than 3.5 cubic
metres.
Copyright 2000 REAPS
PO Box 444, Prince George, B.C., V2L 4S6 (250) 561-7327
Translate
this page automatically. 
|
