How to get the right mix for the best composting

MILLBROOK — The Cary Institute held an online seminar on the biology and ecology of composting, covering the importance of composting, what goes into a successful composting pile and the various methods that can be employed.

The seminar, held on Wednesday, June 29, by Cary Community Ecologist Jane Lucas, began by explaining that 30% to 40% of food in the U.S. ends up in the trash, which eventually finds its way into landfills, which in turn emit greenhouse gases.

The largest contributor to food waste is individual households. Composting is an easy way for individuals to minimize this, while reducing carbon footprints. Lucas said a switch to composting food waste could have a huge impact on the environment.

Lucas then showed and talked about the four main components that go into composting: organic matter, microorganisms, air and water. She said organic matter includes a range of things, from kitchen scraps to cardboard boxes and lawn clippings.

Lucas said the key to successful composting is maintaining a 30 to 1 ratio between carbon and nitrogen. While it’s easy to look up tables of different foods and plants that meet this ideal ratio, Lucas says an easy way to get started is to add one green component for every two brown components.

Green components are things like kitchen scraps, bread and grains, coffee grinds and vegetables. Brown components are things like wood, pine needles and shredded newspaper.

“If you add too much brown, what you’re going to end up having is slow compost production,” Lucas said. If you think it isn’t moving quickly, add more greens.

Lucas cautioned that composting animal products, such as meat, fish and dairy products will attract animals.

While organic material provides a solid base for composting, microbes run the show. Microbes are responsible for breaking down the materials found in the organic matter, and for heating up the pile.

Composting piles with healthy microbes can reach 180 degrees Fahrenheit, Lucas said. For these microbes to remain healthy, they need plenty of access to air. Lack of air will weaken the microbes and rapidly slow down the decomposition process. Water content should remain around 40% to 60%. Lucas said this might seem like a lot, but it is necessary for the organisms breaking down the material to thrive.

“We’re looking for the consistency of a wrung out sponge,” Lucas said.

To learn more about the various techniques that you can employ at home to compost, as well as view a live demonstration and a Q&A with viewers, go to caryinstitute.org

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