Composting
Hot Composting
What can be composted?
Carbon-based materials ("browns"): fallen leaves, small branches and twigs, shredded newspaper and cardboard, paper plates, paper napkins, and paper towels
Nitrogen-based materials ("greens"): fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, young herbaceous plants, grass clippings, egg shells (calcium), and farm animal manure (if compost reaches 140°F for five days)
What should not be composted?
Weeds that have gone to seed and diseased plants
Meat, bones, oils, fats, and dressings (may attract animals and cause foul odors)
Animal waste of carnivores (such as dogs or cats, can harbor diseases)
The Composting Process
Locate compost pile or unit in partially shaded area within reach of hose.
Layer "brown" carbon-based materials and "green" nitrogen-based materials into tiers at about a 2-3:1 ratio (by volume).
Compost pile should be a minimum of 3’ by 3’ by 3’ for best results.
If using highly carbon-based materials (browns), watering the pile as you build may be beneficial.
Pile will heat up rapidly due to microbial activity and may produce steam.
In ~4-7 days it will begin to cool and should be turned to mix materials and allow pile to heat again.
Ready in about 6-8 weeks if turned and watered regularly.
When finished, compost will be dark brown and crumbly and temperature will plateau.
Mix into top 4-6 inches of soil surface.
Compost will provide and help retain nutrients, suppress weeds, condition soil, balance soil pH, and provide habitat for beneficial microorganisms.
Temperature
Most effective range for composting is 122°F - 131°F in the center of the pile.
Higher temperatures, 131°F - 140°F, can more readily destroy weed seeds and plant pathogens, but it’s harder to maintain in small, home composts at this temperature.
Can monitor temperature of the pile using long-stemmed compost thermometer that reads up to 160°F.
Materials added to compost pile but not turned or watered will still decompose, but takes much longer (static composting).
