Home Composting: Turn Yard Waste into Gardener's Gold

With the temperatures rising, as we are out raking the grass and cleaning out the flower beds let us be reminded that you have gold in them thar pile of leaves, grass and other yard clippings. Through the natural process of decomposition all the natural materials can be transformed into a soil-enriching substance called compost. Decomposer organisms, fungi, sowbugs, earthworms, beetles, ants and microorganisms(bacterias) too small for the naked eye to see, to the tune of 4 billion, (with a B) per teaspoon, all work together to transform yard waste into Gardener's Gold.

For a 5 minute home composting video click here. SOCWA, Healthy Lawns & Gardens.

BENEFITS OF COMPOSTING:

1. Compost improves soil structure,
2. Compost encourages root growth,
3. Compost aerates soil,
4. Compost releases nutrients slowly,
5. Compost supports beneficial microorganisms and earthworms,
6. Compost retains 10 times the amount of water held be other soils.

MAKING COMPOST IN FIVE EASY STEPS:

• Select a  plastic bin or choose an area to construct your compost bin
• Collect materials:

                                50% Brown  (leaves and yard clippings)
                                25% Green, grass clippings
                                25% Soil or previously made compost.

• Layer the materials, adding water as you go. Materials should be as moist as a wrung out sponge.
• Turn the pile, using garden or pitch fork, adding air. Needs to be aerobic.
• In 5-6 months, ready to use. Looks black, rich and smells just like Mother Earth!