Composting on Composting Day!

Composting is the decomposition of organic material waste into nutrient-dense material for soil. It’s a beautiful means of the natural world and what better way to celebrate Composting Day than to compost! Composting also sequesters carbon, meaning that the soil acts as a carbon reservoir and keeps it out of the atmosphere. It reduces green waste and feeds soil much better than any store-bought fertilizer alternative, so there is no reason not to compost!

Having a compost collecting bin is an easy way to preserve your organic waste for later. Pick a container with filtered air flow in an area you can see, so you do not forget. The filtered air lid will help keep fruit flies out and prevent quick fermentation. For those who live in cities, keeping scraps in the freezer is a nice alternative.

Balancing nitrogen and carbon from your compost is an important aspect as well. Experienced composters refer to this as the “brown” (nitrogen) and “green” (carbon). Balance is key. If you’re dealing with flies and odor, the nitrogen in the green material is producing too many enzymes. If it’s composting too slowly, there aren’t enough greens compared to browns. A ratio of one-third greens to two-thirds browns is recommended!

Produce stickers must always be disposed of! These stickers are made of plastic and do not decompose. When you do go into finally composting your waste, experts say you do can pack it in! There can never be “too much compost” in your garden. It is recommended to apply compost two to three inches deep and one inch away from plant stems.

Finally, be creative with your compost! Natural fabrics, bamboo, and wood are also compostable. Be sure to make these materials moist so they can break down into your garden well.