Bottom Line:

Composting converts yard waste and organic household refuse into rich soil for the garden.

Discussion and Recommendations:

Composting is an environmentally friendly way to dispose of yard and organic household waste. It is a natural process that occurs when plant matter falls to the earth and decays. The decaying matter releases nutrients back into the soil, which in turn fertilizes vegetation. Some of the benefits of composting include suppression of plant diseases and pests; reduction/elimination of need for manufactured fertilizers; increased crop yields; removal of solids, grease, and heavy metal from storm water runoff; and the elimination of 99.6% of volatile organic chemicals in contaminated air (http://www.epa.gov/osw/conserve/rrr/composting/basic.htm). Furthermore, it is cost-effective. The following ideas are simple ways to help make composting a lifestyle habit:

• Collect appropriate kitchen waste (most vegetable peels, coffee grinds, egg shells, shredded black-and-white newspaper, etc.) in a clean, dry container. The Forever Verdant Kitchen Caddy has a convenient compartment for storing your soon-to-be composted waste.
   
• Refrain from putting breads, meats, fish, lipids, and pet waste in your compost, as these do not breakdown easily, can contaminate your pile, and may attract vermin.
   
• Keep your collection container in a convenient location, like under your cutting board, for easy collection.
   
• Set yourself up for success by creating your outdoor compost heap in a spot that is easily accessible (but at least two feet from any building). Choose a partially sunny location.
   
• Create a compost heap that is between 3' x 3' x 3' and 5' x 5' x 5'. Using a homemade or pre-fabricated compost bin is a good way to help keep the temperature up and animals out. If you cannot fit all of your compostable yard waste in your heap, devote an inconspicuous corner of your yard as a "holding area" until your compost breaks down and has room for more material.
   
• Keep the heap moist, but not wet. If the heap needs to be moistened, we suggest using collected rain water or water leftover from boiling vegetables.
   
• Save "garden waste" such as non-chemically treated grass clippings, wood chips, and leaves for the compost heap.
   
• Layer the heap by alternating carbon-rich (brown) material and nitrogen-rich (green) material. Examples of brown material are wood, newspaper, and dried leaves. Nitrogen-rich materials include glass clippings, vegetable scraps, and coffee grounds. The ideal Carbon to Nitrogen is 25:1. (If this seems too high-maintenance, don't worry. Composting will still happen without a perfect C:N ratio.)
   
• Toss the compost ingredients with a pitch fork, garden claw, or similar device from time to time to facilitate air flow.

Composting is an efficient and easy way to enhance your garden's output, save money on store-bought fertilizers, and make use of materials that would otherwise crowd landfills.