Things that you should NOT #Compost

You can purchase a compost bin or make your own.

Creating the perfect compost is easy! I have talked quite a bit about vermicomposting here on Pint Size Farm, but I haven't gone into “regular” composting that much yet. Here is the first article to break that trend.

Bin or pile composting is just as easy as vermicomposting. In fact, in many ways it is even easier since you do not have to worry about keeping an organism alive in your compost bin (other than the bacteria) although bin composting generally takes a bit longer compared with worm composting. Each type of composting has it's place on a homestead.

Bin or pile composting is as simple as starting a compost pile and letting it sit. Here, in Arizona, I actually have my bins dug into the ground because the air is so dry it is hard to keep the pile wet any other way, but in many locations it can be as easy as putting up a square fence with chicken wire and throwing composting materials in. If you would like you can purchase a composting bin, although they tend to be high priced for what you get.

When you bin compost there are a few things you should avoid:

• Meat, Bone, and Animal products: First and foremost these can attract animals to your pile (and make it stink). They also take a very long time to break down. If you do compost these items make sure your bin is well protected from animals and it reaches at least 140-150 degrees (Fahrenheit) so it kills off any bad pathogens.

• Poop from carnivores or omnivores: Manure from chickens, goats, horses, rabbits, etc are great for your pile. Poop from dogs and humans, not so much. Surprising to me, this was a well-debated topic in a gardening forum I frequent. There are some people out there that insist it is okay to add human and dog poop to your compost. Most people fall back on the fact that you can buy humanure. Personally, I wouldn't mess with it. Omnivore and Carnivore poop has some pathogens that are bad news for us (things like E. Coli). A compost pile is a perfect bacterial breeding ground (in fact, that is what you want so your pile breaks down fast). If you do not reach the temperature to kill off the bad guys they will reproduce like rabbits (well, much faster than rabbits) and that pathogen will contaminate your whole pile. You will not even know it is contaminated until you go to use it, it transfers to the plants, and it makes you sick. If you are lucky it will just cause some diarrhea and stomach pain, if you are unlucky it will be a hospital trip. It isn't worth ruining your entire crop. If you really want to compost poop then get a composting toilet. If you still insist on trying it make sure your pile is going at 130-150 degrees Fahrenheit (the entire pile needs to be at least that temperature, not just the center!)

• Dairy Products: these will also attract wildlife. I've never had problems with a little bit (if there is cheese on some leftover bread I will still compost it)

• Non-Organic products: if it doesn't break down, don't put it in your compost bin. The glossy layer on paper is a good example.

• Some Weeds: Weeds like Bermuda Grass or Bindweed, that are hard to get rid of are not a good idea for the compost bin. The seeds could live through and take root in your garden.

You can follow a specific compost “recipe”, which I will go over in a future post, or you can just throw it in the bin and wait for it to compost. Following a specific ratio will allow you to create compost faster, but you will get compost even if your ratios are slightly off.

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Related Posts:

• Can you Start a Worm Bin with Worms found after a Rainstorm?
• Sun Solarization to Rid the Garden of Weeds
• 6 Reasons why you should Use Cloth Bags (littlepeoplewealth.com)
• How to Start Your Own Compost Pile (dolphininblue.com)
• Recycling: How to Begin and Preserve a Compost Pile (trashrobot.com)