COMPOSTING AND MULCHING A Guide to Managing Organic Landscape Refuse Wayne J. McLaurin and Gary L. Wade, Former Extension Horticulturists Reviewed by Bodie Pennisi andscape refuse, such as leaves, grass clippings and Although in time uncomposted materials will eventu- trimmings, accounts for up to 20 percent of the ally decompose, adding undecomposed materials directly Lwastes being placed in landfills. Bans on outdoor to the soil without first composting may have some unde- burning and laws that limit dumping of leaves and grass sirable effects. For example, if large quantities of uncom- clippings into landfills make composting and mulching posted leaves are incorporated into the soil, microbes will attractive alternatives for managing yard refuse and compete with plant roots for soil nitrogen during leaf recycling natural materials. Some cities provide com- decomposition. This competition for nitrogen can cause posting areas as a means of disposing of grass clippings nitrogen deficiency and poor plant growth. Composting and leaves; however, many homeowners find it more breaks down organic materials into an end product that convenient and economical to compost these materials in increases the availability of essential minerals such as their own backyards. Finished compost can be used as a potassium and phosphorous to growing plants and mulch or as a soil amendment. This publication will help reduces the competition for nitrogen. The addition of you build and maintain a compost pile and tell you how composted materials also improves soil physical prop- to use the compost in the yard and garden. erties such as tilth, infiltration, drainage and water- Soils can often be improved and made more produc- holding capacity. Composted material is much easier to tive by simply mixing organic matter with them. For handle and mix with soil than uncomposted material. many years, the most popular source of organic matter for soil improvement has been well-rotted farm manure, Requirements for which now is less available, especially for the urban Efficient Decomposition gardener. Today’s gardeners should be aware of cheaper and more readily available sources of organic residues. Decomposition of organic material in the compost These include plant materials from their own homes and pile depends on maintaining microbial activity. Any yards, such as grass clippings, scraps of vegetable mate- factor that slows or halts microbial growth also impedes rials, small twigs, and especially fall leaves. To become the composting process. Efficient decomposition occurs usable soil amendments, these materials should undergo a if aeration, moisture, particle size, and nutrient levels degree of decomposition brought about by certain (nitrogen) are maintained for optimum microbial activity. bacteria and fungi (microbes). The process by which gardeners convert organic matter for use is called com- Aeration posting, and the usable material is referred to as compost. Oxygen is required for microbes to decompose organ- The practice of applying materials such as compost, ic wastes efficiently. Some decomposition occurs in the leaves, or grass clippings to the soil surface to modify soil absence of oxygen (anaerobic conditions); however, the temperature and moisture, and to control weeds and soil process is slow, and foul odors may develop. Because of erosion, is called mulching. the odor problem, composting without oxygen is not recommended in a residential setting unless the process Why Compost? is conducted in a fully closed system (see plastic bag method under Composting Structures). Mixing the pile Composting is the most practical and convenient way once or twice a month provides the necessary oxygen and to handle your yard refuse, because it’s easier and cheap- significantly hastens the composting process. A pile that er than bagging or taking refuse to a dump site. Compost is not mixed may take three to four times longer to also improves your soil and the plants growing in it. decompose. Raising the pile off the ground allows air to be drawn through the mass as the material decomposes. 1 Coarse materials should be placed on the bottom as the Carbon-Nitrogen Ratio pile is built, or they should be placed in the pile and removed after the decomposition starts. Microbial activity is greatest when the carbon-to- nitrogen ratio (C/N) is 30:1. For proper decomposition, the nutrients in the compost heap should be in the right Moisture proportions. The carbon:nitrogen ratio will determine how long decomposition will take. When the decom- Adequate moisture is essential for microbial activity. posing organisms do not have the proper diet of carbon, A dry compost will not decompose efficiently. Proper the organisms may lose nitrogen to the atmosphere as moisture encourages the growth of microorganisms that ammonia. If the initial carbon portion is too high in the break down the organic matter into humus. If rainfall is compost heap, the process will be considerably slower limited, water the pile periodically to maintain a steady and very inefficient. Materials can be blended and mixed decomposition rate. Add enough water so the pile is to achieve a suitable C/N ratio. Over time, the C/N ratio damp but not soggy. Avoid over-watering. Excess water will generally decrease. When adding compost to the can lead to anaerobic conditions, which slow down the soil, make sure that it has decomposed properly; if it is degradation process and cause foul odors. If the pile decomposed, it will be high in carbon and will have to should become too wet, turn it to dry it out and restart the use nitrogen from the soil in order to continue decom- process. position. Below is a table that gives estimates of the C/N Particle Size ratios of some compost ingredients. (The higher the number, the higher the carbon content and the longer the Grinding the organic material before composting breakdown time.) greatly reduces decomposition time. The smaller the size of an organic refuse particle, the more quickly it can be consumed by the microbes. A shredder is useful for chip- Table 1. Carbon:Nitrogen Ratio of Common Composting Materials ping or shredding most yard refuse and is essential if brush or sticks are to be composted. A low-cost method Food waste 15:1 Leaves 60:1 of reducing the size of fallen tree leaves is to mow the Wood 700:1 Fruit waste 35:1 lawn before raking. Windrowing the leaves into long, narrow piles one foot high will make the shredding pro- Sawdust 500:1 Rotted manure 20:1 cess more efficient. If the mower has an appropriate bag Straw 80:1 Cornstalks 60:1 attachment, the shredded leaves can be collected directly. Grass clippings 19:1 Alfalfa hay 12:1 Temperature Temperature of the compost pile is very important to Organic Refuse Materials the biological activity taking place. Low outside temper- Yard refuse such as leaves, grass clippings, straw, and atures slow the activity down, while warmer temper- non-woody plant trimmings can be decomposed. The atures speed up decomposition. The microbes that make dominant organic waste in most backyard compost piles up the bulk of the decomposition process fall into two is leaves. Grass clippings can be decomposed; however, categories: mesophilic, those that live and function in with proper lawn management, clippings do not need to temperatures between 50 degrees to 113 degrees F; be removed from the lawn. If clippings are used, mix thermophilic, those that thrive at temperatures between them with other yard refuse. Otherwise, the grass clip- 113 degrees to 158 degrees F. A well-mixed, adequately pings may compact and restrict air flow. Branches, and working compost pile will heat to temperatures between twigs greater than one-fourth inch in diameter, should be 110 degrees and 160 degrees F as the microbes actively put through a shredder/chipper first. Add a small amount feed on the organic materials. These high temperatures of soil to the pile. Kitchen wastes such as vegetable will help destroy weed seeds and disease organisms with- scraps, coffee grounds and eggshells may also be added. in the pile. Sawdust may be added in moderate amounts if addi- tional nitrogen is applied. Approximately one pound of Materials for Composting actual nitrogen (six cups of ammonium nitrate) is re- quired for the breakdown of 100 pounds of dry sawdust. Many organic materials are suitable for composting. Wood ashes act as a lime source and, if used, should be However, organic materials containing both carbon and added only in small amounts (no more than one cup per nitrogen in varying amounts (used by the microorganisms bushel). Excessive amounts of wood ashes result in loss for energy and growth) are preferred. 2 of nitrogen from the pile. Ordinary black-and-white in compostable materials in adequate amounts for newspaper can be composted; however, the nitrogen decomposition. content is low and will consequently slow down the rate During initial stages of decomposition, organic acids of decomposition. If paper is composted, it should not be are produced and the pH of the material drops. Most of more than 10 percent of the total weight of the material the organisms involved in the composting process prefer in the compost pile. It is recommended that newspaper be slightly acidic conditions. The addition of lime to the pile recycled through appropriate community paper recycling will convert ammonium-nitrogen to ammonia gas and centers rather than through backyard composting. hasten the loss of nitrogen from the pile. Research shows Other organic materials used to add nutrients to the that, although lime may hasten decomposition, the loss of pile are blood and bone meal, livestock manure, and lake nitrogen from the pile often offsets the benefits of lime. plants. Spent plants and trimmings from the vegetable The pH of finished compost is usually 6.5 to 7.0 on the garden and flower beds and grass clippings are excellent pH scale.