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Solid Waste Services - Composting

What is Compost?

Compost is nature's way of recycling organic waste such as grass clippings, leaves, wood chips and brush. The finished product of compost is often referred to as humus, a crumbly, dark brown material with a soil-like texture and a rich, earthy smell. Compost is a naturally balanced, environmentally friendly alternative to costly fertilizers and mulches. The organic materials in compost help your plants grow by loosening the soil and allowing better root penetration. Compost also helps regulate the acidity of soil and retains moisture, creating a healthier environment for plant growth.

A Recipe for Compost Checklist:

  1. Compost Bin
  2. Shovel or Pitchfork
  3. Garden Hose
  4. Burlap or Straw Cover
  5. Chipper or Lawn Mower

Successful Composting Steps

  1. Find a well-draining spot out of direct sunlight for your compost bin.
  2. Start with a layer of coarse material such as twigs, straw and leaves.
  3. Add a layer of grass clippings and leaves mixed with materials such as egg shells, coffee grounds, tea bags and fruit with vegetable scraps from your kitchen, along with water and soil or old compost.
  4. Always bury or cover food waste when it is added to your compost pile to reduce the likelihood of attracting rodents or flies.
  5. Add more leaves, grass clippings and kitchen scraps as they become available.
  6. Using a shovel or pitchfork, turn the mixture on a regular basis to provide spaces for air to circulate.
  7. You pile should stay moist, but not soggy.
  8. For best results, try to build your pile so that it is at least three feet wide and three feet deep. If it is smaller, you will still get compost, but it will take longer. Your compost will naturally heat up and decrease in volume as it breaks down.
  9. Cover your pile to protect against excessive heat or wind.

Composting Tips:

Texas A & M Agriculture Extension Service

 

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