Composting FAQ_
What size should a compost pile be?
A compost pile should be at least 3 to 4 feet high for it to adequately heat up in the middle. The width of the pile can be any size you can manage, but a general recommendation is 3 to 4 feet wide. One or two 3×3 foot compost bins are adequate for handling most, if not all, of the yard waste from a city lot.
Are odors a problem in a compost pile?
Although not usually a problem, under some conditions odors do occur. The most common problem that causes a compost pile to smell bad is lack of adequate aeration in the pile. This could be remedied by mixing in materials that are are coarse an will help create air spaces in the pile. Also, smelly symptoms can be due to too much moisture and high nitrogen content in the pile. Add waste that is higher in carbon: dryer, brown, woody materials.
Is there any problem with composting newspaper?
No. True newsprint, the inexpensive paper made from wood pulp, is a good source of carbon if shredded and mixed with other materials. The inks used with newsprint, even colored newsprint, are considered non-toxic.
How can you tell when the compost is “finished”?
When the compost appears dark, crumbly, and looks much like soil, it is ready to use. Any large, woody pieces still not completely decomposed may be sifted out, if desired.
What are compost “activators or starter” materials?
Compost “activators” are dehydrated bacteria in a package. The number of bacteria existing on the organic material and soil used in a compost pile are more than enough to start the composting process. These bacteria also multiply very rapidly, so it probably not necessary to use such a product.
Do you ever need to add fertilizer to compost pile?
If you have a good mixture of green and brown waste materials (an average carbon to nitrogen ratio of about 30:1), you should not need to add fertilizer tot he pile. However, if you have high carbon materials, a nitrogen source of fertilizer could be used to hasten decomposition.
