I would like to thank Formecology’s owner John Gishnock for providing me with this valuable information on Composting and I’d like to give them a plug!
Formecology is born from the idea of combining art and nature – bringing natural elements together with cultural art forms to create landscapes that are appropriate both to the built and natural environment. Formecology is a full service design, build and care firm focusing on environmentally beneficial & regionally inspired landscapes for residential & commercial settings located in Evansville, WI. Please visit their site at: www.formecology.com
What is Compost?
Composting is the biological decomposition of organic material into a humus-like substance called compost. The process occurs naturally, but can be accelerated and improved by controlling environmental factors.
Why Compost?
•Compost is good for plant health
•Preserving nutrients from plant or grass clippings, food scraps and leaves onsite is much better than land filling or allowing them to wash into lakes
•Enhancing texture & water holding ability and adds beneficial microorganisms
•Add slow release nutrients
•Composting can destroy weed seeds & pathogens
•Can be used for erosion control/stabilization too
Each year half of the root system dies and is composted in the soil – Nature working itself!
Where should I put a compost site?
•Keep it in your garden (you’re more likely to use it if it’s close by)
Choose a level area with :
•Access to rainfall
•Good drainage & airflow
•Indirect sunlight (full sun can dry the pile and some sun helps dry a wet pile)
•Shelter from drying winds
•The perfect size for a compost pile is one that is at least 3′ x 3′ x 3′. It’s not only a manageable size to turn, but it’s ideal for retaining heat while still allowing air flow.
•Plan for 10 square feet or more
To create good compost you need:
•Pitch fork or shovel
Components include proper ratio of:
•Heat
Carbon & Nitrogen Ratio
Do not include:
Compost Tips:
•Worms love coffee grounds!
•Compost piles should remain damp but not too wet. As you build your compost pile, make sure that each layer is moist as it is added. The surface should also remain damp (think of a wrung out sponge), especially during the summer months.
•Soak finished compost in water to “brew” compost “tea,” a nutrient-rich liquid that can be used for foliar feeding or for watering plants in your garden, backyard, or houseplants.
•For faster results, use a compost turner every two weeks to aerate your pile.
Thanks again:
Great info Dan. Thanks for the plug too – we greatly apprecite the work you and Project Garden Share does.
Thanks Gish! I’d like you to help me with a post about rain gardens next month.
Now that’s a great post Danny! I can use this information. Formecology is an amazing firm.
Thanks Anonymous!
Very informative post there. One thing I would add to your list (if I could be so cheeky) is sun/heat. I’ve tried composting under trees, and I’ve found it works, but a lot slower than if it was in the open and getting some sunshine. But maybe that would depend on where in the world you garden. as a UK gardener my sunshine hours can be a bit limited 🙂
Thanks! I talk about heat under The H is O (a reference to a funny SNL skit) if you haven’t seen it, check it out. Thanks for your comment.
So informative, thank you for this….I am lucky to have llama manure (beans) excellent fertilizer and perfect for making tea (fertilizer) for plants and gardens!
Jess
Some of the best manure out there, small and breaks down fast. Thanks for your comment Jess!
This was really informative.
Reblogged this on Full Gamut Workshop.
Great instruction on composting!!
just yesterday I said to my daughter, “this is the year we start composting for real!” then lo and behold I find this posting. Thank you! I’ve bookmarked the permalink and will refer to it often!
I also liked your chickens for the backyard info, too. Where we live, we could accomplish this as well!
this is one excellent blog! I’m sure I’ll be checking in all the time!
if you can get any fresh stinging nettles and yarrow, i’ve found that they help heat up the compost really well. i just make a hole in the middle, push them into the hole, and cover back up . . . .they break down from the middle and radiate out . . . .nice if you can forage for these plants where you live, they grow wild where i am.
Also, try to locate your compost away from fruit trees.
Thanks for the like! I have found this post to be very helpful. I have recently started my own garden and do a little composting myself (http://inherchucks.com/2012/01/16/how-is-my-garden-growing/). I will take what I learned here to improve on my methods. thanks!
I’ve been composting on my allotment garden from 2008 with 4 bins side by side 4th is for leaf mould. I’m in the process of building a number of large bins for our allotment group in Leicester uk so the information in your blog artical will be of great use and one of the best written I have seen
cheers Paul