Johnsons's Garden Centers Text File document-copyright 2006
PDF file available at http://www.johnsonsgarden.com/newsletter/soilmulch.html

Compost Happens
September 2006
Wes Hostetler, Johnson's East Store Manager

    Whether you want it to or not ... like death and taxes ... and at
the rate the circumstances dictate ... compost will happen. And although
all organic matter will eventually decompose, the trick is to get your
compost pile to decompose as fast as you can fill it, so you can work
this "black gold" back into your garden.

The Elements Of Making Compost
    The rate at which breakdown occurs depends on several
factors--oxygenation, temperature, water content, particulate surface
area (small chips decompose faster) and the carbon/nitrogen ratio.
Composting is more of an art than a rigid science and at times can
require a bit of finesse and skill. Keeping that in mind, there are
several things you can do to affect your composting rate.

    Oxygenation--increase oxygen levels by providing ventilation and by
        turning or mixing your pile.

    Temperature--for best results, maintain your pile at 90-135 degrees F. 
        If the temp falls below this, decomposition will slow down--not stop, 
        just slow down.

    Water Content--needs to be around 50% (like a damp towel). Overly wet
        piles smell bad, and if it's too dry that slows down the process.
        Add non-chlorine water, as chlorine kills your good organisms.

    Surface Area--can be maximized by shredding or chipping all waste
        into small pieces. The more area you expose to micro-organisms the
        faster the decomposition.

    Carbon/Nitrogen Ratio--the mixing of one part greens to three parts
        browns is essential. Examples of greens are fruit and vegetable
        scraps, grass clippings and horse manure. Browns include ingredients
        like hay, twigs, leaves, shredded newspaper, etc.

Dos and Don'ts Of Compost Materials
    When filling your composter, it is essential to layer, layer, layer!
Remember that browns are fluffy and will be a thicker layer than the
greens. Soil is also a key ingredient as you do your layering because it
adds the living organisms and gives you a quicker start. Use Cotton Boll
Compost in place of soil and you will have even more living organisms.
Compost Maker is another product we offer to aid in jump starting your
compost pile. Compost Maker is loaded with microorganisms that will get
your breakdown action going.

    Do not use greasy foods, dairy products, meat scraps, bones, human
feces or pet feces (can harbor harmful bacteria).

Composters
    Composters can be made from almost anything and can be any size or
shape. Here at Johnson's Garden Centers we currently carry two composter
styles. The top-of-the-line Mantis ComposTwin has two 10-bushel bins. It
sets on a frame, high enough to put your wheelbarrow under to dump the
mix. The crank handle is easy to turn and makes mixing very easy. We
also have the Easy Composter, a one-piece black polyethylene composter.
Its design provides ventilation, flexibility and heat absorption. When
not in use it rolls up for easy storage.

    For all your composting needs and "how to" information, come see us
at Johnson's Garden Centers.