The Basics of Composting

There are five general points to consider when starting your compost pile

1. Size
2. Water
3. Surface Area
4. Food
5. Air

Each of these components represents one of the vital pieces to a healthy compost pile. Here is a quick rundown of what each piece entails.

Size: A compost pile needs to be a minimum of 1 cubic yard (or cubic meter). It should not be any larger than 2 cubic yards though. a 3 foot wide by 3 foot tall by 3 foot deep space is required (with 5' x 5' x 5' being the maximum)

Water: Moisten the compost pile so that it has the consistency of a wrung out sponge. The decomposers that break down the organic material require moisture.

Surface Area: In order for the decomposers to break down the material in you pile, it is important to first help them by cutting the compostable material into 1 to 2" pieces. The microorganisms do not have the capacity to "eat" large pieces of food.

Food: Any healthy diet needs a variety of foods. In a compost pile, there is no exact ratio of carbonaceous ("brown") to nitrogenous ("green") material. However, it should be somewhere between 1 to 1 and 2 to 1. A 3:2 mix (60:40) or two-thirds to one-third is general considered ideal.

Air: The organisms breaking down the material in your compost pile are aerobic, meaning they require air. Make sure to provide a variety of textures (in the food you "feed" your pile). In addition, turn your pile once a week or so in order to aerate the pile.

Future posts will contain more information, but this is a "Cliff's Notes" version of what one needs to know. In the next few posts there will be a list of browns and greens (which will not be exhaustive) and other tidbits.