Traditional Compost Pile

Instructions: Create a pile of organic materials, including yard waste and kitchen scraps. Turn the pile regularly to aid decomposition.

Benefits: Easy and cost-effective, utilizes a variety of materials, produces nutrient-rich compost.

Drawbacks: May attract animals if food scraps like meat are added.

Mitigation: Avoid adding food scraps that can attract animals. Use a compost bin or fencing to keep animals out if necessary.

Compost Bin

Instructions: Use a compost bin or container to hold organic materials. Layer green (nitrogen-rich) and brown (carbon-rich) materials, and occasionally turn or mix the contents.

Benefits: Neat and organized, controls odor, retains heat for faster decomposition.

Drawbacks: Limited capacity, may require regular turning for optimal results.

Mitigation: Consider using multiple bins or rotating systems to accommodate larger quantities of compostable material.

Trench Composting

Instructions: Dig a trench in the garden and bury organic waste, covering it with soil.

Benefits: Integrates composting directly into the garden, improves soil fertility, no need for additional composting space.

Drawbacks: Limited to garden areas, can attract pests if not buried deep enough.

Mitigation: Bury waste deep enough to deter pests, avoid adding materials that can attract them.

Compost Tumbler

Instructions: Fill a rotating drum or bin with organic waste, and turn it regularly to aerate and mix the contents.

Benefits: Easy turning and mixing, faster decomposition, minimal odor.

Drawbacks: Limited capacity, may require physical effort to turn.

Mitigation: Consider purchasing a tumbler with a larger capacity, or use multiple tumblers if needed.

Sheet Composting

Instructions: Layer organic materials directly on the ground or garden bed, and allow them to decompose in place.

Benefits: No need for turning or transferring compost, improves soil structure and moisture retention.

Drawbacks: Slow decomposition compared to other methods.

Mitigation: Chop or shred materials to accelerate decomposition. Combine with other composting methods for faster results.

Compost Pile with Aerated Static Pile (ASP) System

Instructions: Build a compost pile and introduce aeration pipes to facilitate airflow. Monitor and adjust moisture levels as needed.

Benefits: Accelerated decomposition, suitable for larger volumes of organic waste.

Drawbacks: Requires initial setup and monitoring of aeration system.

Mitigation: Ensure proper placement and maintenance of aeration pipes. Monitor moisture levels regularly.

Composting in Raised Beds

Instructions: Create raised garden beds with a composting layer at the bottom. Add organic waste directly into the beds, allowing it to decompose and enrich the soil.

Benefits: Utilizes composting while simultaneously growing plants, improves soil fertility.

Drawbacks: Limited to garden areas with raised beds.

Mitigation: Use a combination of composting methods to manage a broader range of organic waste.

Community or Municipal Composting

Instructions: Participate in community or municipal composting programs. Typically, organic waste is collected and processed at a larger scale.

Benefits: Diverts organic waste from landfills, utilizes specialized equipment and processes, often produces high-quality compost.

Drawbacks: Limited to areas with established composting programs, may require membership or fees.

Mitigation: Engage with local authorities or community organizations to support or initiate composting programs in your area.

Remember, regardless of the composting method chosen, it's important to maintain the right balance of green and brown materials, monitor moisture levels, and turn or aerate the compost as needed to ensure proper decomposition.

What Materials to Compost

Vital Ingredients

• Air - this prevents dangerous bacteria from taking over.

• Brown Materials

• Green Materials

• Water - moisture is necessary to support the organisms that break down organic matter.

Dangerous Materials

In certain cases, composting can be used to break down or destroy materials that would otherwise be dangerous to humans, other animals, or even the environment in general, such as our groundwater quality.

Bracken

Bracken contains natural cancer-causing chemicals which can get into ground water, our food, or even be inhaled. Composting can help destroy this chemical, and the resulting compost would make an eco-friendly alternative to peat moss which is currently causing serious harm from bogs being destroyed and releasing large quantities of greenhouse gases.

• Bracken as a Peat Alternative (PDF) "Trials using bracken harvested mainly in the autumn from the New Forest have shown that this material can be successfully composted and used as a potting medium for hardy ornamental nursery stock. The high temperatures that are attained during composting break down ptaquiloside, the carcinogen that bracken contains, and the end result is a material with a high content of fine fibres. On its own bracken compost can be used for mulching, or in combination with peat it can provide a low pH mulch or potting medium, suitable for growing calcifuge plants."

Using Compost in the Garden

Compost Tea

Composting Equipment & Supplies

The following organizations and businesses offer a variety of items that can help you compost inside or out. 

Africa

Grants & Funding

Oceana

Australia

Western Australia

• Home Compost Subsidies and Rebates "City of Cockburn residents are eligible for subsidies on worm farms, compost bins and bokashi bins. Different home waste compost systems are suitable for different types of households and waste needs. A free composting caddy is also available."

• Western Australia

• The Sustainability Grants Program (in the City of Cockburn) "offers funding for projects related to six sustainability themes. Open to small businesses, schools, not-for-profits, and collective households, successful applicants can receive up to $4,000 for their project."