What is composting? Discover 9 benefits of composting

“Earth knows no desolation. She smells regeneration in the moist breath of decay”– George Meredith

Why go out and buy compost when you can make your own? I started composting years ago, to keep kitchen waste from ending up in the landfill. I was already recycling packaging, so why not food.

I never actually used it in the garden but that wasn’t the point at the time. Fast forward many years later and now I’m trying to make compost to enhance the soil in my gardens.

So, what is composting? Read on to find out!

What is composting and how does it work?

Let me start by saying this. Composting is not throwing out kitchen scraps into a pile with the hope that it will break down into fresh dirt. While this will break down one day, the process will be slow. Let me also say that this is what I did for years before realizing I was doing it wrong.

Another misconception about composting is that it is hard and very scientific. This is not to say that there are not long and very specific formulas for composting. But, instead, to let you know that it doesn’t have to be hard. Recently, during a garden tour class on composting, I had my mind blown by how simple composting can be.

Composting is the decomposition of organic material. This organic material breaks down and becomes soil. So, composting is what mother nature does all on her own but it’s called “the circle of life,” when she does it.

To keep it simple, composting is the process of combining “browns” and “greens.” This creates a pleasurable environment for worms and microorganisms. They can then break down the matter into rich garden soil. This soil is also known as “black gold” to many gardeners.

I like the video below as it explains what composting is in an easy-to-understand way.

What are “browns” and “greens?”

Browns include dry leaves, pine needles, cardboard, paper, newspaper, and tree bark. Kraft paper is best because white paper contains chemicals and dyes. Items for your greens are fruit rinds, vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, and eggshells. They also include cut flowers, dryer lint, staple-free tea bags, and grass clippings. Make sure your grass clippings are weed and pesticide-free.

There are many more items you can add to your compost pile as this list is not extensive. There are also items you do not want to add as they can introduce disease and attract undesirables. And nobody likes to attract undesirables.

Things to avoid:

• Grease
• Meat
• Cooked food
• Pet poop

Is there a specific recipe for composting?

The short answer is no. There is no perfect ingredient list. Your compost ingredients will be different each time. The main thing you have to be aware of is that you will always need browns and greens.

The ratio of browns to greens varies wildly depending on who you ask. I have heard to use a 1:1 ratio but I have also heard to use a 30:1 ratio. The presenter on the garden tour mentioned that 30 brown to 1 green is the best ratio, but I cannot be certain.

One thing that remains true is that no matter the ratio if you have browns and greens it will become soil at some point. Play around with the ratio and find out what works best for you.

P.S. shredded materials decompose quicker.

What are the components of composting?

There are four components needed for composting to work.

1. Organic matter- This is all the kitchen waste, leaves, twigs, and such that you have gathered.
2. Moisture- Water your compost as needed. It should have the wetness of a rung-out sponge. If the pile is too dry it will take longer to break down. If the pile is too wet you can add more browns or turn with a pitchfork. Every time the pile gets too dry or too wet, the process starts over.
3. Oxygen- You can supply oxygen to your pile by turning it and having an open containment area. This provides oxygen the microorganisms need. Give the pile at least two weeks to heat up before turning.
4. Bacteria- As the pile warms up bacteria will come in to break the organic material down. This happens faster in the summer due to warmer temperatures.

Why is composting important? Why would you want to compost?

There are many reasons to compost. But the best answer to me is that compost helps you grow healthy plants while reducing your trash. It’s a win-win!

Also, my favorite, it’s free! It costs you nothing to make compost and you get free nutrient-rich soil.

Is compost fertilizer?

No. The main difference is that compost feeds the soil while fertilizer feeds the plant. You are feeding the soil which in turn stimulates the soil food web. The soil food web consists of worms, fungi, bacteria, crickets, and more.

So, what are the benefits of composting?

Compost provides you with the means to have healthy and vibrant plants. But there are many other benefits to composting. These benefits go far beyond your personal world.

• Composting reduces the amount of waste that ends up in the landfill. By composting your kitchen scraps you reduce your trash by about 28%.
• Compost promotes higher crop yield. It also reduces the need for chemical fertilizers which can be harmful.
• Compost suppresses plant disease and pests. Did you know that it helps tomatoes fight against disease? It may even improve their taste and nutrition.
• Compost can capture and get rid of 99.6 % Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air.
• It also captures and contains carbon, keeping it from getting into the air.
• Compost helps retain soil moisture which in turn conserves water. This also lessens erosion because it makes the soil more productive and resilient.
• It reduces your personal amount of food waste. A family of four throws out about $150 worth of food every month.
• By composting you are cutting methane emissions. Organic matter breaks down through an aerobic process. The microorganisms doing the work need oxygen to do their job. When compostable food goes to the landfill it gets buried. The process of breaking the food down becomes anaerobic. This means the microorganisms do not need oxygen. This process creates biogas, a compound made up of half carbon dioxide and half methane. These are greenhouse gases. Methane is more effective at trapping heat in our atmosphere than carbon dioxide. Thirty-six times more effective to be exact. Point blank, we do not want to create more methane.
• It improves soil health. Compost contains nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorous. Plants need all these to be healthy. It also contains other vital elements such as zinc, iron, magnesium, and calcium. And the best part, it’s organic!

What  I have learned about composting

The main thing I have learned about composting is that there is no right way to compost, there is, however, a way to do it faster. You can throw out your kitchen scraps like me and keep piling them up and, in 2 years, you could have compost. I don’t recommend this method.

After being a part of the composting class on the garden tour, I finally figured out the purpose of my composting bins.

I used to think each bin was a different stage in the process. But, they are actually holding bins for your material.

I also learned how to make compost in a simple, no-fuss way.

Compost is great for the environment, the plants, and you. It is also fun to make. You feel kind of like a mad scientist, can we say “maniacal laugh!” Okay, not quite like that, but you get the point.

By making compost we keep garbage out of the landfill and pollutants out of the atmosphere. We provide food for microorganisms as well as worms. We create healthy soil which creates healthy plants. It’s also free, which may be the best part of all.

I hope we answered the question, what is composting. Look for our future articles on how to make a compost pile and how to build a compost bin out of pallets. I built a 2 bin system but am adding another bin or two for better mixing. It’s free and easy!

Oh, and don’t forget to tell us all about your adventures in composting. We love hearing from you!

Until next time, happy composting.