Why Should You Compost?

Composting is a great way to use yard waste. By adding compost to your soil, you help the soil hold more nutrients (vitamins). You also help hold more moisture in your soil.
Composting puts lots of little guys to work—like bacteria, fungi, insects and worms. These decomposers help break down all of the dead or decaying waste into nutrients and turn them into humus. This very special mixture makes trees and plants grow healthier.
To do backyard composting the easy way you need to pile yard waste and/or kitchen waste on the ground or in a container. This type of decomposition is slow and needs very little care.

How to Compost
  1. Place your waste in piles or in a container in a sunny place.
  2. Add waste as you collect it.
  3. Help the decomposers by chopping and shredding the collected material.
  4. Spread the pile out into at least a 3 foot wide pile. The more spread out, the faster it will decompose.
  5. Make a good balance of depth and surface. Just like you, the decomposers get hot when they work—that is good for the compost.
  6. Air, moisture and sun (but not too much) are important for your compost recipe. Keep your compost pile damp. Stir and turn it to be sure that there are many air pockets and air passages.

What kinds of waste should you use?

YES NO
leaves, grass clippings
dying plants, egg shells
salad greens, coffee grinds
dryer lint,
fruit & veggie peelings		 large pieces of wood
oils
dairy products
meat scraps
bones
What do you need most?
PATIENCE!!!
There are many ways to compost. Compost made this way can take from 6 months to 2 years before it turns into a rich, dark, crumbly soil.

Even though your daily games and many activities give you quick results, nature's clock remains the same—sometimes slowly and carefully is the best way.