Turn Organic Waste into a resource

From Mark Cullen:

I can think of many excellent reasons why every Canadian would want to compost: the environment, education, economy, convenience, usefulness and downright rewarding. Composting is a simple way to capture valuable organic resources and recycle them back into the garden. Adding finished compost to garden soil helps to improve soil quality and productivity. Do-it-yourself composting grows in popularity each year as homeowners discover this easy and rewarding process. As we begin a new growing season I encourage you to start your own compost.

Together, you and the kids will learn that great compost begins with many of the raw, organic materials that we eat and enjoy around the yard and ends with the miracle of a valuable resource that is good for everything that you grow in your garden.

Many municipalities in Canada now provide waste disposal for organics. I encourage you to keep the compostable organics for yourself. You will save money by not having to buy quite so much garden soil, you will help the environment by not having the raw material trucked away and you will have fun. So will the kids!

Composters range in styles from containers on rotating stands to large fenced-in areas of the yard. There are a few basic rules to follow when establishing a compost pile:

• - The more sun your composter receives, the faster the raw material in it will break down.
• - It is important to locate your composter near a reliable water source. The organic mixture needs a thorough soaking every couple of weeks during the heat of summer.
• - The best way to accelerate the decomposition of the organic material in your composter is to turn it every couple of weeks throughout the gardening season. Rotating units are great for this. Stationary compost piles will require turning with a garden fork or compost turner. Turning the organic mixture introduces oxygen into the centre of the pile. This recharges the microbial activity of the beneficial bacteria in the compost.

For more website information on composting, please visit compost.org and markcullen.com

Compost

What should be added to the mix for successful composting?

• - Leaves - Chopped leaves break down faster than whole leaves.
• - Grass clippings - Allow clippings to dry before adding to the composter or they just become a mucky mess.
• - Plants and weeds - Add only those plants without ripe seeds to avoid future problems.
• - Old potting soil - The plants and soil from last year that may still be in containers.
• - Kitchen scraps - Fruit and vegetable trimmings, egg shells, tea bags and coffee grounds.

Some things do not belong in your composter.

• - Meat - Not only will left-over meat attract animals but as it rots it risks turning your compost rancid.
• - Dairy products - Cheese and milk, etc. can go sour and make your compost smell.
• - Wood, bark, metal, plastic - Anything that will either not break down in a reasonable period of time or is not organic in the first place.
• - Weeds gone to seed - A great way to infest your garden with the plants you hate is to spread them everywhere in your finished compost. Don't count on your compost to heat up enough to kill these seeds. Few home gardeners have the critical mass or the discipline to turn their compost frequently enough to make the raw material heat up to this degree.
• - Dog and cat waste - Heavy metals are the biggest problem here - not to mention the smell. Stick with the manure of vegetarian animals such as cattle, sheep and horses. Don't overdo it though. Too much of the raw stuff can create an odour that will not endear you to your neighbours, especially in an urban situation.

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