Compost ("composting") is a fascinating science that is gaining attention. It is the oldest process for replenishing soils, once again growing in popularity as people return to farming the land – whether on a commercial scale or a small square foot garden plot in an urban backyard. Many people, though curious, are intimidated by the process. They have misconceptions about compost always being a steaming, smelling, unsightly pile of rotting manure. This can be true for certain kinds of composting but for the home garden there is a much more attractive way to create healthy organic material, which is essential to healthy soil structure.

Last March, a group of 20 people stood around a series of wood bins all lined up against a fence in north east Austin. Near the bins laid piles of dead leaves, boxes of kitchen scraps, and heaps of dead plant materials. Each bin represented a different phase of one of nature’s best practices – compost.

Composting is one of the easiest and cheapest ways of recycling and it is something that all of us can do in our own back garden. I was excited to learn more and gain perspective on new methods and new reasons not to "throw it away."

The first bin was full of “greens and browns” – shredded leaves and lettuce, celery stalks and wilted flowers. As we slowly walked down the line, peering eagerly into the wood bins we watched the breakdown of these items. Each bin produced a slightly more refined mound of material. The last bin showed off the rich, dark brown organic matter, waiting patiently to be worked into the garden soil.

Composting requires a few easily attained elements: air, water, and food. 

Food is what we call the “browns and greens”. Browns are items like dry, crunchy leaves. These add carbon to the mix. Greens are items like lettuce and grass clippings that will add nitrogen to the mix. These items get layered – think lasagna – in the bin. Add a few inches of brown, then green, then brown, then green…and so on. There are long lists of items that can be composted – veggies and fruits, plant material from the garden (no diseased plants, please!), newspaper (not the glossies) and paper towels, just to name a few. Do not put any fat, grease, meats, bones, or human/pet wastes into a compost pile. These don’t breakdown quickly, attract animals, and can potentially add harmful bacteria to the compost. A quick search on the internet will provide you will a list of items that are perfect to place in your bin and what you should avoid.

Air is crucial to keep the pile from producing that offensive smell. When the compost has air, aerobic microbes will do the job of breaking down the material. These “custodians” process the food effectively with out making a stench. If there is no air, anaerobic microbes will be the processors and they will produce a foul smell. In order to keep air in the pile, simply “turn and fluff” it every few days with a long handled garden fork.

Water is essential as well. As you layer the greens and browns make sure you soak the pile. This helps the microbes do their job and move easily through out the mix. If the materials are too dry the microbes will have a very difficult job and this will slow the process down. When you turn the pile check the moisture and add more water if needed.

Composting Bins for all budgets are easy to find. You can find beautiful wood bins (the perfect compliment to your perfect landscape architecture,) created with the utmost care and carpentry skill. Many garden stores carry plastic bins that you assemble quickly on site. Tumblers are also becoming popular because of their functionality– you can easily crank the bin every so often giving a burst of air without having to pull out the garden fork. If you're one a member of the DIY army (and who isn't, now-a-days?) our friends over at weekndr.com have put together a great how-to instructional on building a compost tumbler (seen here):                       

If your budget doesn’t allow for one of these commercially-made or more extravagant DIY jobs, you can easily create a bin using a few wooden wood pallets.

Simply find a couple pieces of cardboard, five shipping pallets and some string:

• Identify the dimensions to fit your need
• Set the cardboard on the ground where you wish to set up the bin and lay a pallet on the ground.
• Tie the other four pallets around the bottom pallet to create the “walls” of the bin.
• The pallets have wood slats so using these as the container will allow air to easily get in and out of the bin.

With this type of bin it is very important to keep any meats and fats out of the pile or you will attract animals. Before starting your composting adventures I would suggest checking out a few working systems. On that chilly March day last spring, I witnessed composting at its best. Each stage of the cycle was broken down and displayed in an easy manner. The system was efficient and provided rich compost for the vegetable garden of a local restaurant – East Side Café. I would highly recommend making a reservation and heading their way to get some inspiration, and not just for the composting, but also for the vegetable garden as well as the amazing food!

Bon composting,
Kate Higdon