Frequently Asked Questions
Compost Facts
How to Compost
- What should I do first?
- How do I compost?
- Where should I put my composter?
- What should I put in my composter?
- What can't I compost?
Using Compost
- Will my compost pile smell?
- When will I know the compost is ready?
- What do I do with the finished compost?
Compost Facts
What are the benefits of composting?
- helps sandy soil retain moisture
- lightens heavy (high clay) soil, allowing better infiltration of air and water in the room zone
- adds nutrients to the soil
- enables soil to retain nutrients and moisture
- improves soil structure
- encourages earthworm activity
- lessens the amount of waste set out on the curb by approximately 40 per cent
How do I make high-quality compost?
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Vary Your Waste
The waste you compost should be assorted. Put both "green" and "brown"material in your composter. -
Keep a Steady Air Flow
Composting organisms need oxygen to break down the food waste. Be sure to air out and mix your compost pile thoroughly once or twice a month to add fresh oxygen. -
Don't Overwater
Your compost pile should have the same amount of moisture as a wrung-out sponge. -
Use Small Pieces of Waste
Keep your waste pieces small; this leaves more surface area for the microorganisms to break down the material. -
Make Sure It's the Right Volume
The compost pile should have a minimum 90 cm x 90 cm x 90 cm (3' x 3' x 3') volume and a maximum 150 cm x 150 cm x 150 cm (5' x 5' x 5') volume.
How to Compost
What should I do first?
- Place 10 cm - 15 cm (4"-6") of coarse materials such as dead plant stalks and small branches at the bottom of your composter. This layer permits air to circulate and speeds up the composting process.
How do I compost?
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Chop materials into small pieces (the smaller the better).
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Place the materials in layers about 10 cm - 15 cm (4" - 6") deep: alternate "browns" and "greens".
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Add water if necessary. The compost needs to be slightly damp (like a wrung-out sponge).
During non-winter months, turn the pile with a pitchfork, shovel or compost turner every few weeks.
Where do I put my composter?
Place your composter on level ground in the sun. The warmer the location, the faster the process.
If you have only shady areas, don't worry. It'll work, just not as quickly.
The composter should sit right on the ground — rather than on patio stones or paved areas — to allow the organisms to work their way up into the pile and speed up the composting process. Place the unit approximately 20 cm - 30 cm (8" - 12") away from fences, decks or buildings to prevent animals reaching it.
What should I put in my composter?
"Green" (nitrogen-rich) materials:
- fresh grass clippings
- fruit and vegetable scraps
- tea bags
- nut shells
- egg shells
- coffee grounds with filter paper
- wood ash
- plant trimmings and remains
"Brown" (carbon-rich) materials:
- dry leaves
- straw
- sawdust (in very thin layers)
- woodchips
What can't I compost?
- pet waste
- meat, bones, fats
- charcoal or coal ashes
- oil or oily foods
- diseased or insect-infected plants
- dairy products
- diapers and sanitary products
- woody yard waste (unless shredded first)
- crab grass
Using Compost
Will my compost pile smell?
A compost pile that's working well shouldn't have an unpleasant odour. The compost pile might smell if:
- it's too wet
- it's too compacted
- you've added too much grass
- there isn't enough air in your compost
- you've added the wrong materials
When will I know the compost is ready?
Finished compost is dark and crumbly and has a pleasant, earthy smell. If you followed the instructions that came with your unit, you could have usable compost in as little as 3-6 months.
To remove the compost, scoop it through the trap door on your unit. Pick or screen out any lumps or bits of uncomposted material and put them back into the composter.
What do I do with the finished compost?
Compost is an excellent all-around soil enhancer. Add it to your existing soil. Be sure that the soil and compost are mixed in equal parts (50/50).
- Spread the finished compost on your lawn no thicker than 1 cm (1/2").
- Add it to your houseplants.
- Work it into your garden soil, no more than 8 cm (3") thick.
- Make "compost tea" by soaking a burlap bag of compost in a large pail or can of water. Use this nutrient-rich water to irrigate your garden.