Every home can benefit from a compost pile – Standard-Times

Allison Watkins, Special to San Angelo Standard-Times Published 6:40 a.m. CT Nov. 24, 2019

Thanksgiving is a great time of year to start a compost bin if you dont have one. There are fallen leaves to rake up to get it started, and plenty of fruit and vegetable scraps like potato peels, apple cores, and coffee grounds.(Photo: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service)

A compost pile or bin is something that should be in every home landscape.

Its not an attractive addition that makes a good a focal point, but its important to have an out-of-the-way spot in the yard to put fallen leaves, plant trimmings and vegetable scraps in to decompose.

Organic matter is a critical part of soil that plants need to grow well, and yard waste like leaves and grass clipping shouldnt be wasted by going into the landfill with the trash to take up space.

It all becomes "black gold" when broken down, decomposed and turned into compost that can be used in the landscape.

To get good quality compost, keep a good balance of oxygen and water, as well as the right balance of nitrogen and carbon.

A compost bin needs to have open sides to allow air flow to provide oxygen, and if it gets dry it needs to be dampened.

To provide the good balance of carbon and nitrogen just add the right plant-based waste materials.

High carbon materials are nicknamed browns and are things like fallen leaves and twigs - materials that are tougher and slower to decompose.

"Greens" have a higher nitrogen ratio, and are softer-tissue things like grass clippings and fruit and vegetable scraps. Dont add meat, dairy or fats. Turn the pile weekly to speed up decomposition and create great compost to use in the landscape.

Remember the phrase "compost once, mulch forever" when starting a new bed or planting project, till up the soil and apply a three-inch deep layer of compost, then mix in as deep as possible.

This provides immediate improvement to the soil structure and helps plants grow better. After planting apply a three-inch deep layer of wood-based mulch and keep it replenished to three inches from then on.

As the mulch gradually decomposes, is also adds good organic matter to the soil. Except for when planting desert plants and those that prefer lean soil, compost helps gardeners be more successful.

Thanksgiving is a great time of year to start a compost bin if you dont have one. There are fallen leaves to rake up to get it started, and plenty of fruit and vegetable scraps like potato peels, apple cores, and coffee grounds.

To learn more, visit the website earth-kind.tamu.edu and view the publication on composting.

Allison Watkins is the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Agent for horticulture in Tom Green County. Contact her at aewatkins@ag.tamu.edu.

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Every home can benefit from a compost pile - Standard-Times