Introduction to Composting

WHAT IS COMPOST?

Compost is a dark, earthy material which results from the natural decomposition of organic matter.

WHY COMPOST?

To produce an excellent, free, soil conditioner which will improve your soil and the plants growing in it to reduce waste; by composting kitchen and yard waste, you can reduce your household's garbage by one-third to one-half.

HOW TO COMPOST CONTAINERS
Although containers are not essential, they are recommended. An open pile can be unsightly and is more likely to attract pests. There are many different containers to choose from. You can buy a commercial model or build one yourself. Containers with two or more sections have some advantages. You can aerate the material by turning it from one section to another. Also, the material in a full section can finish decomposing while you add fresh materials to another section. The ideal size for a container is between 3 ft. to 5 ft. square. * Click here for container info *  

How long will it take?

Anywhere from two months, if you follow all the tips outlined here, to two years, if you opt for the No-Fuss Composting Recipe.

Can you compost in winter?

Yes. Continue to add materials throughout the winter. The decomposition process will slow down, but the pile will become active again in the spring.

Will it Smell?

A compost pile that is working well should not have an unpleasant odour. If it does, it may be that the materials are too wet or compacted. Turn the pile to let it dry out, or add dry materials such as leaves.

What is Vermicomposting?

Vermicomposting is a method of composting food waste using worms. It can be done indoors year-round, or outdoors in the summer and indoors in the winter. If you live in an apartment, or you're tired of making trips to the backyard in the snow, this is a method to consider.

No-Fuss Composting Recipe

If you want to compost yard waste only, and you're not in a hurry, try this....
Add yard waste to your bin as it is available over a period of several months or even years. Allow rainwater to moisten the pile. In one year to 18 months the material at the bottom and centre of the pile should be composted. The uncomposted materials at the top can be used to start a new batch.

Avoid Attracting Animals and Flies

Use a container with a tight-fitting lid, hinged at one side and with a latch at the other. When adding food waste, either dig it into the existing compost immediately or cover it well with soil. Do Not Add meat scraps or fat. Line the sides and bottom completely with heavy-duty wire mesh.

How to Harvest Finished Compost

Some composting bins have an access door for the removal of finished compost. If you are using a container with more than one section, you can easily remove the finished compost from the section to which you are not adding fresh materials. If you are using what are sometimes called 'turning' or 'portable' units, simply move the whole container to a new location, fork the uncomposted materials from the top of the old pile into the empty unit, and remove the finished compost from the bottom of the first pile.

Using Finished Compost

When compost is ready to use, it should be dark and crumbly with most of the original identity of the materials lost. You can screen the finished compost to remove coarse or incompletely decomposed materials such as nut shells or twigs. Return these to the compost pile.

To use finished compost you can:

* dig it into the earth before planting flowers and vegetables

* use it as a mulch or top dressing around plants and trees to help retain moisture, smother weeds and prevent soil compaction 

*screen and use it on your lawn or as part of a seed-starting mix

TIPS ON LEAVES AND GRASS

Grass
Do not add too many grass clippings to your compost at once. They tend to mat and can become smelly. You can:

Add them in thin layers.

Allow them to dry in the sun before adding them.

Mix them with dry material such as leaves.

Leave them on your lawn to return nutrients to the soil.

Leaves
If you have a lot of trees you may have difficulty fitting all your fall leaves into your compost bin:

Shred the leaves first to reduce their volume.

Build a second bin for yard waste only.

Compost them in a pile in an out-of-the-way corner of your yard where there is some protection from the wind.

Dig some leaves into the garden to ready the soil for spring planting. Use some leaves as a mulch around plants for weed control and water retention.  

For more information, click here for another fact sheet.

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