How Can You Ensure the Longevity of a Composting System?
To ensure the longevity and effectiveness of a newly established composting system, we’ve gathered expert advice from various environmental science professionals. While an Owner emphasizes maintaining a proper balance of materials, we’ve also included additional answers to provide a well-rounded perspective. From starting small and sustainable to utilizing a covered bin, here are some insightful tips to help your composting system thrive.
- Maintain Proper Balance of Materials
- Regularly Water in Dry Climates
- Start Small and Sustainable
- Monitor and Adjust Temperature
- Protect from Excess Moisture or Dryness
- Use Compost Activators
- Utilize a Covered Bin
Maintain Proper Balance of Materials
As the owner of a landscape company, the key to establishing an effective composting system is maintaining the proper balance of green and brown materials. I always advise adding 2-3 parts brown, carbon-rich materials like leaves and twigs for every 1 part green, nitrogen-rich materials such as grass clippings or food scraps. This carbon-to-nitrogen ratio helps ensure the compost pile stays aerated and the waste decomposes efficiently into nutrient-rich humus.
In my experience, the most common mistake new composters make is creating piles that are too wet or too compacted, which prevents oxygen from reaching the center and causes the waste to rot anaerobically. The ideal compost pile should have the moisture and aeration of a wrung-out sponge. I recommend covering food scraps and grass clippings, turning the pile regularly with a pitchfork, and avoiding the urge to compress the material down.
For commercial landscapers and gardeners, a well-maintained composting system is invaluable for nourishing plants and improving soil structure in an eco-friendly way. At my company, we produce over 200 cubic yards of quality compost annually using yard waste and food scraps collected from local businesses. We then use this compost to improve the soils in many of the properties we maintain, which helps our clients save money on fertilizers and see healthier, more vibrant landscapes.
Regularly Water in Dry Climates
Ensure compost is regularly watered or has water-heavy material in dry climates. So many backyard composting systems I have seen in Southern California never break down because they are too dry. The microbes and bacteria that break down organic material into soil are alive, and like all living things, they need water to survive. To support this, I often save food scraps in my freezer so when I add them to the compost, the extra frozen water melts, adding moisture to the material. Healthy soil rich in organic material will absorb and hold water better than hydrophobic dead soil.
Start Small and Sustainable
Start small and sustainable. Oftentimes, people fail to establish a new habit because they strive for perfection. Instead of trying to compost every single potentially compostable item, start with the lowest-friction changes first. Get used to making the new changes and then start to build momentum from there.
Monitor and Adjust Temperature
Keeping a close watch on the temperature of a composting system is crucial to ensure that the materials are breaking down efficiently. An optimal temperature range helps microorganisms thrive and speeds up the decomposition process. If the temperature is too low, decomposition slows down and it may start producing unpleasant odors.
On the other hand, a temperature that is too high can kill beneficial microbes. Regularly checking and adjusting the temperature will keep your compost system active and healthy. Start monitoring the temperature today to maintain a productive compost pile.
Protect from Excess Moisture or Dryness
Shielding your compost from excess rain or extreme dryness is critical for ensuring its longevity and effectiveness. Too much water can result in a soggy pile that stifles oxygen flow, whereas too little moisture can halt microbial activity. An ideal moisture level feels like a wrung-out sponge, allowing microbes to thrive and organic matter to decompose properly.
Regularly monitoring and adjusting the moisture levels will keep your compost active. Take steps to protect your compost from excess moisture or dryness today.
Use Compost Activators
Using compost activators can help speed up the decomposition process, making your composting system more efficient and productive. These activators introduce beneficial microbes and fungi to the pile, jump-starting the breakdown of organic matter. Without activators, the decomposition process might take longer, which can be frustrating if you need compost quickly.
Incorporating them can lead to richer and more fertile end products in a shorter time. Consider adding compost activators to optimize your composting efforts. Get started with compost activators now to see quicker results.
Utilize a Covered Bin
Utilizing a covered bin for your compost helps deter pests and maintains an environment conducive to decomposition. Open compost piles can attract unwanted animals that may disrupt the composting process or spread waste around. A covered bin also helps regulate moisture and temperature levels, creating a stable environment for microbial activity.
This results in more efficient decomposition and less trouble from pests. Protect your compost by using a covered bin. Make the switch to a covered compost bin to keep out pests and enhance efficiency.