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Composting Structures • Materials for Composting To savo spaco, hactrn docomposition, and keep the yard looking no,-t, it i. rocun-n-r•nrlod that ttx• comtx>'st pile hr c ontainod in conx• core of stn-cture. Compcxting structures can convict of a varioty o(matorials and can be as simplo or comply ac dosirrd. Thoro aro many options available that can be taitorod to indi+~idual noels. listed below are a few suggostions for containing the compost. any organic materials are suitahlo for c ompoclint; 1"arcl wastes, such as Icavos, grass clippings, stra++, and nrrn- woodyplant trimmings can he comp<-slod.l h~• rlrm-inant crr- ganicwaste in most backyard compost pilos is leaves. Grass clippings can be composted; ho+vever with propor lawn management, clippings do not need to Ix' removed from the lawn fsee below). If clippings are used, it is advisable to mix them with other yard wastes. Otherwise, the grass clippings may compact and restrict air flow. Branches, logs, and hviRs greater than 1/4 inch in diameter should ho put through a shredder/chipper first. Kilchon wastos such as vcgotahle scraps, coffee grounds, and eggshells may also he added. Sawdust may be added in moderate amounts if additional ni- trogen is applied. Approximately 1 Ib of actual nitrogen tb cups of ammonium. nitrate) is required for 100 Ibs of dr}• sa+v- dust.Wood ashes act as a lime source and if used should only be added in small amounts (no more thin 1 cup per busholl. Excessive amounts o(wood ashes will rosult in loss of nitro- genfrom the pile. Ordinary black and ++hitr no+rspapor can be composted; howe+•er, the nilrogc>n contont is low and ++ ill consequently slow down the rate of docomposition. It is rec- ommendedthat ne++~spaper he recyclocl thruu~;h apprcipriato .community papor recycling cantors nthor than through backyard composting. Examples of other organic materials this c: an ho used to ads) nutrients to the pile include: blood annc~ moat, li+-c stock manure, alfalfa hay, and lake plants. Because they may pose a health hazard, car c roate a nui- sance, certain organic materials should not ho ucocl to> make compost. Adding human or pct (eves c annul he rocom- mended because they may transmit disoasrs. f+leai, limes, grease, whole eggs, and dairy products should not be added because they can attract rodents to the site. ~1ost plant dis- ease organisms and weed seeds are destroyed during the composting process when temperatures in the center of the pile reach 15U" -160°F. However, in most comlx-st piles, it is impossible to mix efficiently enough to bring ill ++astcs to the center. ~ith is „cart in ,hn n ±.~nn t Although plants that have been treated with herbicides or pes ru es s ou avor a or compostrng, sma amounts o er rcr e-treate ants e.g., grass c rppmgs may e mixed in the pile as long as you are careful to allow tt-orougl~ decomposition. Clippings from lawns recently treated ~+•ith herbicides sh~ul • e t on t e awn to c ocompc~se (sec cec- ti non "A ternahvos t<r .om x-s rn ~ ,rass r ~ nn};~ cyst agrichemicals, both postic alas and horbicicle~, arc c c>zradcd • at varying rates. A list of herbicides conunc~nl+ used on the home lawn and their persistence in soil is pru+ ided in 1 ahlo t (page 51. Even if some treated grass clihpinkc are used, the degradation of these chemicals in a ixoporl+ maintained combust pile should heat least as fast as that in the soil. Uso of plagic garha e s is porhaps the simplest way to make compost. -e bags are easy to handle, and require minimal maintenance. To make compost using this method, 30-40 gallon plastic bags should be alternately filled with plant wastes, fertilizer, and lime. About one tablespoon of a garclc~n fertilizer with a high nitrogen content should be used per bag. Lime lone cup per bag) helps counteract the extra acidity caused by anaerobic composting. After filling, add about a quart of water. Close tightly. Set aside for six months to a year. Bags can be set in a basement or heated r better decomposrhon uring winter rnO~c. Using garbage bags requires no turning or additional water after closing. The main advantage of composting in garbage bags is that it requires little maintenance; however, because oxygen is limited, the process is slow. A barrel or drum composter enerates compost in a relatively 5 ort peso o hme an pro+~i e5 an easy mec anrsm or turnin rf figure 11. This meth~cl re wires a barrel of ai least 55 gallons ~+ ith a securr tic . Be sure that the barrel was not used to store toxic chemicals. Paint barrels are a good choice, as 0 ~ O O O p o 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 p 0 0 0 0 0 p p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 C 0 0 0 0 D 0 ~ 0 0 0 0 0 j , \1 ~.~ ~ ~ - Figure 1