HOME COMPOSTING
RECYCLE YOUR HOUSEHOLD WASTE THE NATURAL WAY

Through the natural process of composting, leaves and grass clippings from your yard can be transformed into a humus-rich substance called compost. Annually, yard clippings comprise between 20% and 25% of throwaway rubbish. Communities are now re-discovering the ancient art of composting and the benefit of compost for building healthy soil.

The following types of materials are suitable for a backyard compost pile:
· leaves
· grass clippings
· vegetable and fruit peelings
· coffee grounds and tea leaves
· lettuce leaves
· soil (or compost)
· water

Start with a base of loose branches or brush. Then build a layered compost pile:
1. Place a six-inch layer of shredded leaves spread over an area at least 3 ft. x 3 ft. in size. Shredded leaves reduce the time necessary for natural decomposition.
2. Water the layer until moist.
3. Add two inches of soil or compost to support the growth of microorganisms.
4. Sprinkle a thin layer of grass clippings or other green materials (not more than one inch thick).
5. Add more soil or compost in a two-inch layer; water again. About 25% of the pile should be soil.
Never place cooked foods, meat scraps, pet manure, milk or dairy products, oils, or peanut butter into the compost pile. Such materials cause odours and may attract pests. Compost piles with any evidence of rodents should be discontinued.
There is no need to use artificial chemicals, fertilisers, or manures.
For an ideal composting mix, combine two parts "brown" leaves with one part "green" grass clippings. This mixture encourages a natural oxygen-based decomposition process and should not create odours.
Without turning, compost will take approximately 1 to 2 years to mature. However, you may wish to turn over or mix the pile every two weeks to accelerate the decomposition process. Compost bins (ideally 3 x 3 x 3 feet in size) may be used to neatly contain the composting material.

Finished compost will be loose and "crumbly". Although compost may not exactly look like soil, it should smell sweet and earthy. The temperature of finished compost should be the same as the outside air temperature.
Some tough fibres or large leaves may still be intact in compost from home piles. To make finished compost into an attractive gardening product, sift the compost through a 1/2-inch screen. Compost does not need to be sifted, however, to be useful as a soil conditioner or mulch.

Compost may be added to the garden in spring or autumn. In the spring, turn the garden soil and then apply compost in a 1 - 3 inch layer. Large volumes of compost can also be added in the autumn before the soil is frozen.

Compost mixed with either garden soil or potting soil in a 50 - 50 ratio is excellent for container gardening. The compost adds nutrients and texture to encourage plant growth. Plant in well-drained containers, water frequently, and add fertiliser to supplement nitrogen content, which is quickly lost in containers.

Spread compost around any garden plants, under bushes, and around trees. For young plants, a 2 - 3 inch layer of compost often works well. Mulching helps hold in moisture, reduces weeds, and gradually feeds organic matter to the soil and plant roots. Compost is especially useful as a mulch in the hottest, driest periods of summer.

Compost is an excellent soil conditioner. When mixed with sandy soil, compost helps to retain and hold water. When mixed with clay soils, compost loosens the soil particles and allows for better drainage.
Compost also helps soils retain nutrients and minerals essential for healthy plant growth and slowly releases them throughout the growing season.