1. Composting: The Rotten Truth
Chris Dahlen

2. Composting
Composting is the transformation of organic material (plant matter) through decomposition into a soil-like material called compost.
Invertebrates (insects and earthworms), and microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) help in this transformation.

3. Types Fast Composting Slow Composting Dig-a-hole Composting
Tumbler Composting

4. Why Compost? Environmentally responsible Saves money
Keeps biodegradable waste out of landfills and sewage plants
Alternative to burning
Gives you a vibrant garden without chemical fertilizers
Saves money
Improves the health of soil and serves as a natural fertilizer

5. What do you have to do? Adding ingredients
Maintaining proper temperature
Turning
Maintaining moisture
Harvesting

6. What type of bin can you use
Ready made
Homemade
Bin-less pile

7. Ready Made
Expensive
Limited capacity
Good if space is an issue

8. Homemade Three bins are best One to fill One that’s “cooking”
One to turn others into or to draw from

9. Bin-less Pile Just a pile with no partitions
Hard to maintain sufficient depth to achieve high enough temperatures
Easy and nothing to build
Moveable
Needs to be at least 3’ by 3’ by 3’

10. What Goes In?
Yard waste
Kitchen scraps
Newspaper
Cardboard

11. Must Stay OUT! Meat scraps Bones Dairy products Pet waste
Diseased plants
Invasive weeds
Meat scraps and bones attract animals. Smell and can take a long time to decompose. Same with dairy products.
Pet waste may carry pathogens. There is some controversy about whether pet waste can be composted safely.
Might also avoid diseased plants and invasive weeds. The temp of your pile might not be high enough to kill them off.

12. Good Compost needs a mixture of Brown and Green
Brown (Carbon)
Leaves
Dirt
Grocery bags
Bird seed hulls
Wood chips
Green (Nitrogen)
Grass clippings
Plant clippings
Fertilizer
Coffee grounds

13. Fast vs. Slow Slow Fast Let sit Takes months and months Turn often
Keep moist (H2O 40-60% of weight)
Have proper ratio of C:N (30:1)
2-6 weeks (depending on ingredients)

14. Why Did I Do This? Early stages as mulch
Keeps weeds from growing
Helps retain moisture
Beneficial minerals go into soil
Later stages for soil amending
Enriches soil
Helps with moisture retention
Removes/reduces need for chemical fertilizers

15. Want to learn more?
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