LIVABLE NEIGHBORHOODS
Keeping the Cycle Going - Composting
Composting can help grow your communities' gardens rather than sending yard and kitchen scraps to the ever-expanding landfill down the highway. Compost is an excellent soil conditioner.
Compost Benefits
- improves the structure, texture and aeration of the soil
- contains nutrients and trace elements that are essential to plant growth and releases them slowly throughout the growing season
- adds beneficial organisms to the soil
- reduces the need for chemical fertilizers and mulches
- reduces the water needs of your garden
- can reduce the quantity of waste sent to the landfill by 20% or more
The Composting Process
Composting is simply the natural decomposition of organic matter. Tiny organisms, known as decomposers, break down yard wastes and kitchen scraps into a humus-like material. Once you have established your compost pile, and a favorable environment for the decomposers, they go to work promptly.
The location of your compost bin should be:
- flat and well drained
- shady rather than intense direct sunlight
- 20 ft. from the nearest house
- close to a source of water (within reach of a garden hose)
- away from trees or wooden buildings
Once the bin is in place you can begin filling it with yard waste and kitchen scraps. See the table below for what can and can not be composted. If you have stockpiled materials you can put them in all at once or gradually add to your compost bin as wastes become available. Alternating "greens" (high nitrogen) with "browns" (high carbons) speeds up the composting process.
Maintaining the Pile
You can choose how much effort to put into maintaining your compost
pile. Your material will still turn to compost eventually even if
you don't devote a lot of effort to maintenance. To speed up the process:
chop or shred materials before adding, keep the pile moist (like a
well wrung sponge), mix or turn the pile occasionally and add nitrogen
(most piles tend to be high in carbon). These tips may lead to finished
compost in 2 to 3 months - otherwise it may take 1 to 2 years to completely
decompose. Finished compost tends to accumulate at the bottom of the
bin. Your compost it ready to use when it is dark brown, crumbly and
has an earthy aroma.
Uses for Finished Compost
In the Garden:
- Spread a 3 to 4 inch layer on top of the soil, and work it in
before planting.
- Apply as a top dressing to shrubs and garden plants; either leave the compost on the surface or work it into the soil
- Incorporate into feed furrows, place a handful into each transplant hole before transplanting annuals and perennials and use several handfuls for shrubs and trees.
On the Lawn:
- When building a new lawn, spread a 2-inch layer of compost over the area and work it into the soil to a depth of 6 inches.
- On an existing lawn, use as a top dressing by applying in a uniform layer < inch thick. You can use a fertilizer spreader or broadcast the compost by hand, followed by light raking. The best time to top dress is the fall. (Note: Only compost that has been sifted through a fine screen should be used in this manner. A simple screen can be made using a wooden frame and a 3/8 or 1/2 - inch hardware cloth.)
In Potting Mix:
- To make your own potting mix combine fine-textured compost with sand, bark, and vermiculite or perlite.
To Learn More about Composting
This information was adapted from the Department
of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) web site.
Other agencies that have composting information:
- The Delaware Solid Waste Authority at (302) 739-5361.
- The Delaware Composting Association (Helen Waite at (302) 422-4544).
- The University of Delaware's Cooperative Extension Offices
- New Castle County, (302) 831-2506
- Kent County, (302) 697-4000
- Sussex County, (302) 856-7303
- The Delaware Composting Association (Helen Waite at (302) 422-4544).
