Organic materials such as food and yard waste make up 24 percent of the materials dumped into Ohio landfills. The problem with this is that a simple process can recycle these organic materials. Do something good for the environment and compost in 2010! Composting can be a learning experience that the whole family can enjoy.
Food scraps (banana peels, apple cores, vegetable scraps, etc.) and yard refuse (grass clippings, leaves, small twigs, etc.) can be easily collected and put into a designated bin. It is not any harder than putting these items into the garbage can. Over time these materials turn into compost, which can be applied to indoor or outdoor plants to improve soil and plant growth. Composting can definitely be turned into a family project. It’s an amazing transformation to witness, and if you start one now while your children are young, they might carry this habit into their adulthood.
To start a compost bin, it’s best if the materials are added in the following layers:
- Coarse materials
- Soil
- Nitrogen rich fertilizer
- Organic material
- Soil
- Nitrogen rich fertilizer
In order to have a successful compost bin, it’s also important to monitor the aeration, moisture, size of the material and temperature.
Aerating the composting bin is done by simply turning and mixing the pile at least two times a month. Providing oxygen to the bin allows the material to break down faster as well as prevent foul odors from developing.
Moisture is needed for microbial activity to break down the material, so if the bin is not subject to rainfall, it needs to be watered enough to be damp but not soggy.
To increase the composting process, it is best that the organic materials be small in size, because they will break down faster this way.
Finally, temperature is crucial for microbial activity to occur – the warmer the temperature inside of the bin, the faster decomposition occurs. The ideal temperature for a bin is between 110 degrees and 160 degrees Fahrenheit. In order to be consistent, take the bin’s temperature at the same place every time.
Remember, when composting, have fun, be creative and enjoy watching the transformation take place!
