Composting FAQS

1) What are the ingredients to an effective compost pile?
Composting is a chemical process that you can play with in your backyard. There are many variables, but a few staples that must occur. You must balance the oxygen and nitrogen levels of the heap. Ideally that would be done at a ratio of 30:1 carbon: nitrogen, but it isn’t an exact science. Along with the material ratio you also have to keep in mind the wetness or dryness of the heap. Lastly microorganisms are critical in taking the right balance of materials and actually turning it into an effective addition to peat to make fertile soil. The balancing of these substances can be an exact science, but getting close is usually sufficient to keep the process going. A decent rule of thumb is that fresh grass clippings have a carbon: nitrogen ratio of about 15:1. Dried autumn leaves are about 50:1 on the same scale. By mixing the two you can effectively keep the composting process alive. You’ll also need an effective storage container, possibly with a lid to retain moisture, and a pitchfork or shovel to turn the mixture periodically. The best way to be certain the process is jumpstarted is to mix the different ingredients in layers so that there is not a majority in any single area. It is also sometimes recommended that you take a little of your previous batch of compost and layer it as well. This isn’t strictly necessary, but it might speed the initial decomposition some.

2) When people talk about adding, “green stuff,” what do they mean?
Green stuff is a common term for nitrogen heavy items. Grass clippings, old vegetables and fruits, coffee grounds and tea bags are all great examples of green stuff. You want a fairly high amount of this green stuff in comparison to brown stuff. See FAQ 1 for examples of the right blend. The green stuff is going to quickly biodegrade and rot under the supervision of microorganisms that will facilitate the process. The green stuff is also your source of heat, because it will be undergoing an exothermic reaction. The process of releasing heat will use up water and generally cause it to dry out. In extremely dry climates you will also need to occasionally add water to your heap to keep the process alive and moving efficiently, but usually the more green stuff the wetter the mixture. Remember that you need to always add more green stuff than brown stuff and you’ll be good to go.

3) When people talk about adding, “brown stuff,” what do they mean?
Brown stuff is a common term for carbon heavy items. This is the fiber of our compost and can be found in fall/autumn leaves, sawdust, dead plants and weeds, small animal bedding, cardboard, old dried flowers and floral displays, and old straw and hay. Brown stuff is inherently dead and dried, but it is necessary for energy since the oxidation process of carbon produces the heat, a nothing consideration in the balancing process. The 30:1 rule of thumb is a good reminder that you do not need much in the way of brown stuff. It is always recommended that you layer the brown stuff, green stuff, and potentially bits of last term’s composting. The carbon needs water in order to oxidize, and the plants need the raw component of carbon in order to be effectively composted. Maintaining the right average ratio, humidity and heat are the cornerstones of the process, although turning it to introduce more air is also a necessary portion of the chemical reaction.