Convenient Methods to Begin Composting at Home
Composting is a great way to reduce waste and lower your environmental impact, while also creating nutrient-rich soil for your plants. It provides a simple way to turn everyday scraps into something valuable, right from your kitchen or backyard. Whether you’re an avid gardener with an expansive garden, or simply looking for your own way to do something good for the environment, composting can easily fit into your daily routine. Here’s a look at three of the easiest, most popular and compact composting methods to help you begin your composting journey.
Tumbler Composting
Compost tumblers are a great option for anyone looking for a convenient and low-smell composting setup. Tumblers are sealed containers mounted on a base that can be rotated using a handle. This design makes it easy to mix compost without the need to manually turn it with a fork or shovel.
When the tumbler is turned, it mixes and aerates the contents. As the oxygen runs through the compost materials, aerobic decomposition occurs, which is the breakdown of organic materials in the presence of oxygen. Turning the tumbler regularly helps keep the mix aerated, aiding in decomposition. Over time, this process creates great compost.
Green material (kitchen scraps, produce peels, etc.) and brown material (leaves, paper, etc.) can both be added to tumbler composters. Items like dairy, animal products, fats, oils and heavily processed foods should never be mixed into compost. The maintenance required for tumbler composting is minimal; scraps can be added and the machine can be spun every few days.
In warmer climates like ours, tumbler composting can produce usable compost in as little as three weeks. When the climate gets cooler in the fall and winter, it can take up to two months. Once the compost becomes a soil-like texture, it is ready to use. Tumbler composting is great for people with limited yard space. Tumblers can be as small as just a few feet wide and comparable in size to a backyard grill. Most gardening and home improvement stores sell the machines pre-assembled or in a kit that is easy to put together. They typically range in price from $50 to $200, depending on the size.
Vermicomposting
Did you know you can compost indoors? Vermicomposting allows you to create nutrient-rich soil from the comfort of your own home. This composting method uses worms— typically red wigglers, as they thrive in decomposing material—to break down food scraps into nutrient-rich castings, or worm poop.
The setup for vermicomposting can be put together cheaply and easily; all you need is an elevated plastic or wooden bin with holes for ventilation and drainage. The bin should then be layered with moist, brown material for bedding and a bit of soil. The bedding should be kept moist, but not soaking wet. Since this composting method only requires a bin, it takes up little space, making it ideal for indoors and smaller spaces like under the sink or in the garage.
The bin must stay in a temperature-controlled area so that the climate is stable for the worms. According to Shelia Hu of the Natural Resources Defense Council, vermicomposting should be done in temperatures from 55 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit. The most important part of vermicomposting is making sure that the worms are cared for properly so they can work their magic. They should be fed once a week by burying food scraps, like fruit and vegetable peels, under the bedding.
It is best to cut up the scraps into smaller pieces, so it is easier for the worms to eat. As previously stated, animal products and fatty or oily items should be avoided. It is always best to research the dietary needs of your composting worms to keep them happy and healthy. Apart from the initial setup and weekly feedings, vermicomposting requires minimal maintenance. The only other necessary task is harvesting castings (collecting your new compost) every few months. The first batch of compost will be ready anywhere from 3 to 6 months, depending on the size of your setup and the number of worms.
Compost Bins
When you think about composting, you most likely think about the traditional compost bin. This method is extremely popular, and for good reason; composting with a bin is easy, simple and requires little space.
A compost bin is a large container where organic materials are layered and left to decompose naturally over time. Like tumbler composting, bin composting uses aerobic decomposition. However, instead of turning the compost with a handle, bin composting requires you to turn compost material with a fork or shovel.
Compost bins require a bit more maintenance than tumblers, but are still easy to maintain. The compost should be turned every couple of weeks to introduce oxygen. The more you turn your compost pile, the faster the soil will be ready. Another important thing to monitor is the moisture levels. If your compost is too wet, it can stink, and if it is too dry, the decomposition process will slow down.
A good balance of green and brown materials is key to maintaining a successful bin compost system and creating quality, usable compost. When there is an even balance of materials, proper moisture levels and regular turning, usable compost will be ready in 3 to 6 months. A bin setup can be purchased or made with plastic bins, garbage cans or wood. Hu recommends a minimum of a 3-foot-by-3-foot space for bin composting, but you can go larger if you want a higher yield of soil. Typically, the bottom of the bin is open, allowing it to touch the soil and introduce more beneficial nutrients to the compost. Some people find drilling holes in the side of their bins helpful for ventilation.
When starting a bin setup, there are two main options— open or closed bins. Open bins are just that—a bin without a lid. This is a convenient way to compost, as you are able to easily add material to the bin. Closed bins are simply lidded.
The main difference between open and closed composting is the access and smell. Open composting is convenient because it allows you quick access, however, it also allows animals quick access to rummage through your pile. Open composting can also smell a bit more than closed composting, as the decomposing materials are constantly exposed.
Due to the size, this composting method works great in backyards and larger porches. This method is best for people who aren’t looking to spend a ton of money, have a decent amount of outdoor space and have the time to monitor and turn their pile.
Whether you’re working with worms, tossing a tumbler or sifting scraps in a backyard bin, composting is a great way to reduce waste and get your green thumb dirty. With a little time and effort, you can take items that would otherwise end up in a landfill and turn them into nutrient-rich soil that helps your plants and the planet.
For more information on these composting methods, visit nrdc.org and gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu.