Composting for Small, Urban Yard

A few years ago at Rooting DC, a fantastic urban agriculture event in Washington, D.C., I was inspired to start composting. My clay soil really needed help and the organic matter that compost added would help with drainage, aeration and tilth (the soil’s ability to grow plants). And I would be helping to decrease waste added to the county landfill. According to “The Maryland Master Gardener Handbook,” municipal waste is comprised of 13% yard waste, 12% food waste and 34% paper, and those are all things that can be composted. What did I have to lose?

I was familiar with composting but was a little intimidated because I thought it was really complicated. My first interaction with serious composting was during my days in the Newark Street Community Garden in northwest D.C. There was a “compost committee” and strict rules for where to put your garden waste, what to put on the pile, and which ripe compost pile to use on your plot. It was a little intimidating! And before seeing those presenters, I felt like I could not have a successful compost pile in my small urban backyard-where would I put it? wouldn’t it attract mice and rats? doesn’t compost smell bad? I had put it off out of fear.

But that day at Rooting DC I decided I was going to try it. Here’s how I did it.

Step 1-Gather your materials

·         Large storage tub with a secure cover. You can buy one at a big box store or try your local thrift store. Also, your town or county may have free or low cost bins available for residents.

·         Drill with LARGE drill bit.

·         Pitch fork.

Step 2-Choose your location

·         Shady spot

·         Near the door so it’s not a pain in the neck to go outside, especially in the winter, to make a deposit

·         Close proximity to where you will be using the finished compost

·         Somewhat out of the way for aesthetics

Step 3-Drill baby, drill!

·         Compost needs air so drill lots of holes on all sides of the bin, including the bottom and the cover.

Step 4-Start composting

·         Start filling the bin with kitchen scraps (green matter) and yard waste (brown matter).

·         Turn the compost weekly.

·         If conditions are dry, you will need to water your compost occasionally to keep it alive.

Step 5-Spread your compost

How do you know it’s “done”? At some point you will have to stop adding scraps to your bin in order to have finished, useable compost. It will be dark in color, smells like fresh earth (mmmm) and the particles are all broken down and unrecognizable. Repeat Step 4.

What to Compost

Kitchen scraps, dead leaves from houseplants, rotten stuff in the produce drawer, dead plants, orange peels, apple cores. Paper egg cartons, plain (uncoated paper), egg shells, coffee grounds and filter, tea bags. You will get the hang of collecting your compost “food” very quickly. There is so much waste every day that can go in the compost bin.

What NOT to Compost

Dairy, bones, fat, salt, pet waste, cooked foods, meat, peanut butter, oil.

Composting is easy, suitable for a small yard, practically free and your garden will see a tremendous benefit. Don’t put if off any longer, no matter what time of year. I am so glad I broke through my fear and you will be, too! Share your experience or ask questions in the comments below.

Composting Resources

University of Maryland Extension 

EPA

North Carolina State Extension