Easy to Compost your Food Waste

It’s easy to compost your food waste and can even stop you from bagging leaves in the fall, all while being great for your garden and the planet. When organic matter is given moisture, air and time it will decompose with a little help from micro organisms like fungi and bacteria. They work with larger organisms like earthworms to digest the organic matter and create a totally unique blend of natural nutrients for your gardens. By layering food waste and yard debris you can start composting at home returning the natural nutrients back into your gardens. Saving you money and the need of chemical fertilizers as well as reducing your garbage. A variety of organic matter is a key factor in the ecosystem of composting, different types of material should be used in layers, such as leaves, crop debris, sawdust and vegetable scraps.

Thermophilic or Mesophilic?

The micro organisms in composting are broadly classified into two types. Thermophilic and Mesophilic, both of which are directly related to the temperature the microorganisms achieve within the system. Thermophilic microorganisms are heat loving while mesophilic will thrive in a more moderate temperature. The most important aspect of heat within a compost pile is pathogen death because no one wants to get sick. The Thermophilic process is known to kill all known human pathogens, such as protozoa, parasitic worm eggs and other bacteria and viruses due to the heat achieved within the system . This process results in shorter time required for your composting of about a year. Most composting has a lower Mesophilic temperature so it takes around two years to safely process into usable compost.

What can’t you compost?

There are some things that do not compost well and if not composted correctly can allow harmful pathogens into you gardens. The average compost pile doesn’t reach the Thermophilic range required to kill the pathogens dangerous to us. Therefore it is highly recommended to not attempt to compost:

• Manure from any animal that eats meat

• Diseased crops

• Cooking oils

• Meat Scraps

• Peanut or Almond Butters

Continuous Composting

Many home gardeners and mini farms use a continuous method of composting, adding to a pile as time progresses. In this process there is not enough bulk materials available to retain the heat of thermophilic composting. With proper timing, you can start your compost in the beginning of spring, continually adding to it in layers until there is enough bulk for it to retain its heat through the winter months. There are many different ways to compost depending on your requirements and space available. From small backyard bins the size of a garbage can to large multi sectioned piles designed for ease of rotation. Even in an apartment you can compost your food waste on a small scale and create your own worm castings.

Aeration

A key part to any composting system is aeration. When composting your food waste, aeration allows the increase in temperature ranges and the ability to reach a Thermophilic level. Some aerate by turning the piles to introduce oxygen to new parts of the soil. Others by adding a pipe vertically into the center of a pile. Aerating your piles allow the aerobic microorganisms to eliminate the odors caused by the anaerobic microorganisms.

Aeration Tips

• add layers of straw

• a pipe of tube pressed through the center of your pile

• don’t turn pile too often. Every time you turn your pile you dissipate your heat.(Max 3-4 times a year )

• after turning your pile add water to start retaining your heat again.

• after heavy rains turn the compost pile without watering afterwards.

Extreme Weather

How to compost your food waste in extreme weather conditions requires tarping your compost pile. Both drought or oversaturation can hinder your composts efficiency in different ways. In a heavy rain, you would use the tarp as a tent ,directing the water away from the pile. In a drought or dry season ,you would cover your pile like a blanket to retain as much moisture as possible. (especially after watering)

For most mini farmers and gardeners a multi pile system is the most efficient in my opinion. It allows a seasonal rotation of your organic waste in a routine process. Composting puts a use to the organic waste we all deal with daily and it also ensures you have a healthy boost of natural nutrients each planting season.

If composting isn’t possible due to lack of space ,try your own worm castings. Another simple process that will give you the best natural nutrients available for your plants and keep food waste out of our landfills.