A Guide to
BACKYARD COMPOSTING
What is Compost?
Compost is a natural fertilizer and soil conditioner. You can make
it at home from organic materials such as kitchen scraps and
garden waste. When put into a pile, these materials naturally
decompose, turning into a rich, soil-like material called compost
or humus. Composting is basically a way of speeding up the natural
process of decomposition.
Great Reasons to Compost
Reduce chemical fertilizers. Save money and keep local waterways clean.
Improve your soil and your garden. Compost is rich in organic matter,
and is a natural soil builder.
Reduce the amount of food and garden waste you put at the curbside.
Reduce greenhouse gas production. When not composted, food scraps
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often end up in a landfill where they become a source of methane, a major
offender when it comes to climate change!
It’s easy and fun! Once you start a compost pile, maintenance is simple.
“ Compost is more than a fertilizer
or a healing agent for the soil’s The Keys to Good Compost
wounds. It is a symbol of continuing Balanced diet: For optimal decomposition, the carbon–nitrogen ratio in
life…The compost heap is to the a compost pile should be about 30:1. Carbon-rich (“brown”) materials
organic gardener what the typewriter
include dry leaves, corn stalks, and sawdust. Nitrogen-rich (“green”)
is to the writer, what the shovel is to
materials include food scraps, coffee grounds, and grass clippings.
the laborer, and what the truck is to
”
the truck driver.
— J.I. Rodale
Temperature: Compost piles are most active at temperatures of 44º to
52º Celsius. Decomposition drops with the ambient temperature, and stops
altogether if the pile freezes.
Oxygen: Compost depends on the production of aerobic (oxygen-loving)
bacteria, which do the work of decomposition.
Moisture: Compost should be moist, but not wet—excess water will
decrease oxygen levels, slowing down decomposition.
How to Use Compost
• Add to potting soil for indoor seed-starting.
• Use as mulch to protect plants’ roots from summer sun and harsh conditions.
• Incorporate into your garden to improve soil texture: blend the compost
into the soil to a depth of 12 inches, making sure it is evenly dispersed
through the entire planting area.
• Make compost tea—a natural, organic fertilizer, made by mixing finished
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compost with water and letting it sit for a couple of days. Apply compost
tea to leaves or soil to provide your plants with a boost of nutrients.
Ten Easy Steps to Making Compost
1. Select a site: In a sunny, well-drained location, measure out an area
to site your bin. Three square feet is an ideal bin size, and is the
minimum size necessary to generate the required heat in the shortest
possible time.
2. Purchase a bin: Contact your municipality, a local store, or build
your own rodent-proof compost bin.
3. Form base layer: In the bottom of the bin, arrange a six-inch layer
of coarse materials such as sticks, prunings, and bark pieces. This will
allow air to filter into the center of the heap without smothering the
soil surface.
4. Alternate layers: After the base layer is formed, you can start using
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your compost bin daily. As you accumulate kitchen or yard waste,
add it to the bin in layers, starting with 2 to 4 inches of “green”
organic matter. Follow this with more carbon-rich “brown” matter,
and continue to alternate between green and brown, ensuring that
Tip: In the fall, collect dry leaves into no organic layer is ever more than 15 inches deep.
an old garbage container so that
you can use them for your carbon 5. Moisten: Lightly water the pile if necessary—compost ingredients
or ‘brown’ layers all year-round. should be damp, not soaking.
Tip: If you have room, set up two
6. Cover: The compost pile should always be topped by a thick carbon
composters so you can add to one
bin as the other one matures. (brown) layer. Using a lid will discourage rodents and other animals.
Tip: Sifting your compost through a 7. Monitor: Each time you add material to the bin, give it a look and
mesh screen will remove large a sniff. If the pile has an unpleasant odor, or does not appear to be
chunks or unfinished material. gradually shrinking, this indicates a problem with the pile.
8. Add more layers: The pile will shrink as its contents decompose;
continue adding material.
9. Check: Compost is generally ready to use after about 2–3 months.
This can vary depending on things like temperature and the materials
used. Once your bin starts to get full, check to see if the bottom
portion of the pile is ready to harvest in order to make room
at the top.
10. Harvest: Begin harvesting when the compost at the bottom and
centre is decomposed. Dig out the compost with a shovel, using the
door at the bottom of a commercial bin. If you have built your own
bin, remove the top new layers and dig the compost from the centre.
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Common Questions
How long will it take?
This depends on the size of the pile, the size of the ingredients used,
and the amount of heat generated. Cold piles can take up to a year to
decompose, but fully active piles can mature in 3–4 months.
Can I speed up the process?
• Chop and shred larger items, making it easier for bacteria
to break them down.
• Give your compost heap a “big meal” rather than small
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snacks. Collect all your organic waste over a couple of days
and then add it in one big bunch. The more you add at one
time, the more your compost will heat up.
• Keep your compost pile in the sun.
What happens when the pile freezes?
The decomposition process stops when the pile freezes, but will start again
when rising temperatures thaw the microorganisms that make your compost
work. If you have room, you can continue to add materials to the frozen pile.
Do I need to turn the pile?
A pile that is built correctly should not need to be turned. This means
constructing a pile that is carefully layered, well-ventilated and contains
adequate moisture content. If issues arise, air can be added by manually
turning the pile, or poking holes into the pile using pipes or a pitchfork.
Do I need to add lime (ground agricultural limestone) to the pile?
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No. Lime and other minerals are not required in any compost pile. If your
garden requires such amendments, add them straight to the soil.
Troubleshooting
Symptom Diagnosis Treatment
Unpleasant odour Lack of air Make sure the bottom is not continually
waterlogged. Aerate the pile by turning it
or poking holes into it.
Unpleasant odour Nutrient imbalance—often due Rebalance the pile: adding more carbon
to too much nitrogen (brown) material will balance excess
nitrogen.
Fruit flies, rodents, animals Food left exposed Always bury food with a thick layer of
brown materi al, and cover the pile with
a secure lid.
Nothing happening? Too dry Add water and aerate.
Too much carbon Add nitrogen-rich materials.
Too cold Move to a sunnier position. Wait for
ambient temperature to rise.
What to Compost
COMPOST THIS! COMPOST THIS! DON’T COMPOST THIS!
THE “GREENS”– NITROGEN THE “BROWNS”–CARBON
Coffee grounds Ashes, wood and bark Coal ash
Food waste Shredded cardboard Colored paper
Garden waste Corn stalks Diseased plants
Grass clippings Leaves Inorganic materials
Hay Shredded newspaper Meat, bones and fish
Hops (used) Straw Fats and oils (sauces/dressings)
Manures Pine needles Dairy
Seaweed Sawdust Pet droppings
Weeds that have not gone to seed Stem and twigs (cut up) Weeds that have gone to seed
For more information on composting, check out these resources
1. The Rodale Book of Composting. Deborah Martin and Grace Gershuny. Rodale Books, 1992.
2. Compost this Book: The Art of Composting for Your Yard, Your Community, and the Planet.
Tom Christopher and Marty Asher. Sierra Club Books, 1994.
3. Compost Breakdown: A Guide to Mid-Sized Composting Success. Ravenna Barker. Food Share Toronto, 2004.
4. Composting 101 www.composting101.com
5. The Recycling Council of Ontario www.rco.on.ca
Additional support for this resource was provided by the Ontario Trillium Foundation
Evergreen is a national charity that makes cities more livable.
Evergreen’s Common Grounds program protects and restores natural and cultural landscapes
in urban and urbanizing communities across Canada.
evergreen.ca
Evergreen – National Office
355 Adelaide Street West, Fifth Floor Toronto Ontario M5V 1S2
416-596-1495 1-888-4265-3138 [email protected]
National Supporters of Common Grounds
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