Composting FAQ_
Here are some frequently asked questions about composting. If you have a question that is not here, please leave a comment below; and we will address as soon as possible.
Can you add kitchen scraps to my compost pile?
Yes, most organic kitchen waste like food scraps and paper can be placed in the compost pile. However, meat, bones, and foods high in oils and fats can generate foul odors and attract insects and other pests. These waste items should be avoided. Vegetable, fruit scraps, egg shells, and coffee grounds are great compost materials.
Will weeds added to the compost pile increase weed problems later in the garden and flower beds?
Most weeds and many weed seeds will be killed by the heat generated in the compost process. Weeds that have not gone to seed can be added to the compost pile with some confidence that they will not be a problem. However, weeds that have large storage roots should be left out or dried and chopped up before composting to reduce the chance of survival during composting. Frequent turning of the pile promotes more uniform and thorough decomposition and therefore decreases risk of survival for weeds.
Is it absolutely necessary to turn a compost pile?
No, but by turning the pile, fresh organic matter, in essence food for microorganisms, is more uniformly distributed to those organisms. This promotes more rapid and uniform decomposition than simply letting the pile rot. A frequently turned and carefully managed compost pile can decompose in weeks while a neglected pile can take a year or more to produce a finished compost.
Can you use plant material that is diseased in a compost pile?
High temperatures that develop during composting kill many plant pathogens. Also, organisms that attack plant pathogens thrive in the compost pile and can reduce potential plant diseases. As long as the pile is turned so the whole pile has a similar chance to heat up and be exposed to those microbes that suppress diseases, the pathogens can be reduced to a level that should not be a problem in the garden. Thorough and well-managed composting is most important if diseased plants are added to the pile.
Can you compost yard wastes that has a waxy coating and thorny waste, such as evergreen shrubbery clipping, rose, and holly waste?
Yes, however plant material with a waxy coating may take longer to decompose. Shredding these material will help break apart the waxy cuticles, exposing more surface area to the microorganisms for faster decomposition. The only problem with thorny waste is that it may be difficult to handle without gloves.
Do you have to have some kind of structure to make compost?
No. Compost can be made in an open pile. A structure helps keep the pile neat and in a size and shape that will allow it to heat up in the middle and decompose faster. It will also hide the waste from the view of you or your neighbor. Where multiple bins are used, turning the compost from one bin to another is a convenient and effective way to manage the compost pile.
