Composting

Backyard Composting 

Composting is a natural, biological process that breaks down plant waste from the kitchen, lawn and garden into a soil-like material called humus. It’s done by microorganisms that consume the organic material to produce compost. 

By composting in your backyard, you can turn your household waste into a valuable soil enhancement that offers many long-term benefits. Compost keeps soil loose, helps soil retain water, maintains soil pH and provides your plants with nutrients. 

To learn how to start and maintain a compost pile or bin, read on! You can also get live advice over the phone from the Monterey Bay Master Gardeners: Tel. 763-8007 (Mon, Wed, Fri: 9AM-noon)

Getting Started 

• To start a compost pile, choose a convenient, level, well-drained and sunny area in your yard.
• Put down a layer of finished compost or topsoil. This will provide the microorganisms needed to break down the organic material. There is no need for a chemical compost starter or activator.
• Alternate layers of dried out "brown" material such as dry leaves, twigs, straw and wood chips with moist "green" material such as grass clippings, plant trimmings and kitchen scraps. Add another thin layer of dirt every so often.
• The pile should be roughly one cubic yard in volume  

Compost Bins

Composting can be done in an open pile or in containers. Containers confine the compost pile and make it more manageable and visually attractive. They can also provide weather protection, aid in heat retention and help keep animals out.

You can build your own backyard compost bin or buy one, for example at Orchard Supply Hardware, 1067 N Davis Road in Salinas, Tel. (831) 422-9652, or online from various sources.

Maintaining the Compost Pile or Bin 

• Air: Make sure your pile/bin gets enough air. This is necessary for the survival of the aerobic bacteria that break down the material without generating odors. To aerate the pile, mix in coarse material like leaves or green twigs to create air voids or periodically turn the pile with a pitchfork or shovel or compost turner. Turn the pile only once a week or every other week to not disrupt the composting process.

• Water: The pile should be as wet as a wrung out sponge. When you squeeze a handful, drops of water should come out and the compost should form a ball. If your compost is too dry, add water to prevent that the microorganisms die and decomposition slow down or stops. However, be careful not to over-water.
  

Compostable Materials 

Harvesting the Compost 

If you add fresh material to the pile or into the bin from the top, the more finished material will end up at the bottom. Finished compost is dark brown in color, crumbly, lightweight and has an earthy odor. Harvest the finished compost with a shovel, sift out any coarse, unfinished materials, then apply the compost to your garden as a mulch or top dressing, or dig it into the soil.