Science of Composting
Do's and Don'ts of Composting
Building the Pile
Compost Troubleshooting
Hoops
Bins
Buckets
How to Buy or Build Your Own Structure

What is Composting?
Composting is a controlled process of decomposition of organic
material. Naturally occurring soil organisms recycle nitrogen, potash, phosphorus, and other plant nutrients as they convert the material into humus.  Composting is a convenient and cost-effective way to handle your organic waste and help the environment.

How to use compost
When the composted materials look like rich, brown soil, it is ready to use. Apply one half to three inches of finished compost and mix it in with the top four inches of the soil. Compost can also be applied as a top dressing in the garden throughout the summer. It is excellent for reseeding lawns, and can be spread one-quarter inch deep over the entire lawn to rejuvenate the turf. To make potting soil, mix equal parts compost, sand, and loam.

The Science of Composting
Successful composting involves balancing nitrogen and carbon-based materials (brown leaves and woody materials and green grass or food waste) with water and oxygen.

CARBON: The carbon component (the brown stuff: dead leaves, woody materials and dried brown grass) should constitute 75% of the compost pile.

NITROGEN: The remaining 25% should be the nitrogen-rich component (the green stuff: fresh grass clippings, fruit and vegetable scraps).

WATER: The organisms that make compost require a warm, moist environment. The pile should be as moist as a wrung-out sponge, but not dripping wet.  Let rain replace moisture, and add water during dry spells.  A cover helps retain moisture in hot weather.

OXYGEN: Compost critters need oxygen, just as we do.  Lack of oxygen will slow down the composting process and cause odors.

YES	NO
Grass Clippings Yard Trimmings (old plants, wilted flowers, small prunings) Leaves Vegetable & Fruit Scraps Coffee Grounds Tea Leaves Wood Chips Shredded Paper (low grade paper not acceptable for recycling)	Meat, Fish, and Poultry (including bones) Food Sauces Fats, Grease, and Oils Dairy Products Pet Feces Invasive Weeds Treated Wood (or any materials containing strong preservatives or toxins) Ashes and charcoal Non-organics (plastic, metal, glass, etc...)

Building The Pile

There are as many different ways to make compost as there are people who do it. The following guidelines will get you started, but soon your own experience will help you tailor a method that best fits your needs.

1.  Build or purchase a compost bin. Call the Recycling Office at  389-5194 to receive copies of bin plans or information on discounted bin sales. Set the bin up in a convenient area with good drainage.

2.  Start with a layer of woody, bulky material to allow air passage in the base of the pile. Add alternating layers of “brown” and “green” materials at a ratio of 4:1, with a shovelful of soil on top of each layer. Shredding leaves and trimmings will shorten the composting time. Be sure to bury chopped food scraps in the center of the pile. Add water to keep pile as damp as a wrung out sponge. 

3.  Turn the pile. Keep oxygen available to the compost critters by turning the pile with a hoe or compost turning tool each time you add material. A complete turning of the pile, so the top becomes the bottom, every few months should result in finished compost in 6 months to a year. More frequent turning will shorten the composting time.

Compost Troubleshooting

If the pile is not composting it may be too dry or have too much woody material. Moisten until slightly damp. Add fresh green material and turn. If the pile smells rotten and attracts flies it may be too wet or have non-compostables present. Turn and add dry material. Remove any meat or grease, large food scraps, etc. and then turn.

If the pile smells like ammonia then there is too much green material. Turn and add dry or woody material. If rodents get into the pile, rodent proof by having holes less than 1/4 inch.

Compost Structures

Hoops, bins and buckets can help you fit your compost into small spaces. Choose a structure that is the right size, style, cost and effort level for you. Remember to use recycled materials or containers whenever possible. Do-it-yourself bin building instructions are available by calling the Rotline at 389.5194.

HOOPS are easy and fairly inexpensive to build, and help to keep your yard waste compost pile tidy. Secure the hoop with hooks or twists of wire. To speed composting, undo the hoop, set it up next to the pile, and turn the pile back into the cage in its new location.
   

BINS hold yard waste compost, and when made rodent proof, work well for food wastes. Build with recycled wood, wire or other materials for an inexpensive and attractive structure. Many styles are commercially available.
                

BUCKETS are the apartment-dweller’s answer to composting food wastes indoors or out. Compact 5 gallon buckets with sealable lids can be obtained free from many grocery stores and restaurants. Stir the compost-soil mixture to aerate it once or twice a week, or when adding new  

Check out the links below to learn how to build your own compost bin.

LSU Ag Center’s has created an instruction booklet to properly construct various compost bins.

If you are looking for a compost bin to buy this site sells more varieties of different types and brands of compost bins than we have found anywhere: Composters

Here is an interesting site on composting with an interactive message board and lots of information on composting: Master Composter