Composting

Composting is one of the great things people can do at their houses for sustainable living. Food waste and other organic material decays releasing methane which contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. In composting, food waste turns into fertiliser that works as a soil conditioner. It may be disposed of in piles or bins that must remain moist but not flooded with water, or it may be composted in a machine referred to as a composter. A basic composter burns off methane released from decaying matter and converts it into harmless carbon dioxide and water vapour through heat. When done right, this will produce fertiliser that can be used for plants at home.

Picking the Right Compost 

If you are composting in your backyard, keep these few things in mind:

  • Decomposing food releases methane, so don’t add meat or bones to your compost pile. 
  • A composter should have enough capacity to hold all of the material that will be added in a week’s time. 
  • You can also choose an exterior composter for your backyard if you live in a humid climate that is mostly composed of grass and soft soil. The exteriors resist degradation by worms and other elements which helps curtail external challenges to the heap. If you choose this route, it might be best to ensure that you check on the heap regularly to monitor its success. 
  • Be aware of anything that may attract pests near your compost bin, such as dog feces or meat scraps. 

There are many options in terms of composting bins available for purchase these days. These items can be found at most mass retailers and environmental product stores. Some brands focus more on portability, while others are more efficient when it comes to generating heat. Here is a list of common types of composter bins:

Types of composters

These are cylindrical piles with tapered ends that let them fit into corners effectively. Vertical composters sometimes have stacking lids which allow ease of access during aeration times. This type is easy to move and has a higher compaction factor than other kinds. The compaction factor means that it is more densely packed, which leads to better aeration and drainage. These types of composters are good for fruits and veggies [8], but they may be too small for larger pieces of material.

These square containers have locking lids, which makes them useful in keeping pests out while still allowing air flow. They work best when filled with a mixture of leaves and brown matter. As long as the leaves can cover up any food waste that might have been placed in the pile, the garden composter will function optimally.

These are the most popular types of composters for households. They can be turned by hand to mix the layers throughout the composter, even when they are filled. Some people use a shovel or pitchfork to manually turn their compost pile.

An enclosed composter is great in cold climates because it traps heat inside, making decomposition easier. Turn this type of composter every eight days once it is half full so that all of the materials inside are mixed up properly. Sides with handles make moving them easier. A disadvantage of this type is that you cannot see into it, which makes monitoring more difficult.

These are multi-layered composter bins that offer the best of both worlds. They allow for aeration while keeping out any unwanted pests or animals. Sides with handles make them easy to move, but they are still heavy when full. Some people prefer this type because it allows them to look inside without opening it up all the way. The presence of multiple chambers also ensures that materials decompose at differing speeds, which may not happen in other types of composters.

Outdoor composting is often seen as being better for the environment than using an indoor model. This is because it does not use electricity to operate and can be placed away from your home so it won’t attract pests. 

Sifting Compost Soil 

For large quantities of composted soil, sift through it with a pitchfork or shovel . This ensures proper mixing throughout the pile while still allowing air flow to reach the bottom layers of the pile as well. Sifting manually or with an indoor compost sifter may be necessary for smaller amounts of soil. Sifting is time consuming but necessary to keep the composting process running smoothly. Sift your composted soil regularly so that all materials are thoroughly mixed.

  • Sift or screen your compost if it contains a lot of clay soil. Sifting will depend on what kind of composter you have set up at home, and this process will be time consuming but necessary to keep the composting process running smoothly. Be sure to check that materials are not rotting, which may result in a strong scent.
  • Sift or screen your compost if it contains a lot of clay soil. Sifting will depend on what kind of composter you have set up at home, and this process will be time consuming but necessary to keep the composting process running smoothly. Sift your compost if it contains a lot of clay soil.
  • Sifting will depend on what kind of composter you have set up at home, and this process will be time consuming but necessary to keep the composting process running smoothly. Sift or screen your compost regularly so that all materials are thoroughly mixed. There are several options available for removing materials from the pile:

You can shake and turn some types of bins so that material falls down and leaves or twigs get pushed through holes. Others may involve removing all contents and sifting them on a tarp. Sifting is best done outside or in an area where you can control the material being carried by the wind.

This type of composter has a divider down the middle so that materials are separated as they are put in, making sifting much easier. Sift through it regularly to remove any large pieces that might clog up the works. If your composter does not have this feature, you may want to purchase another one or use another composting method altogether.

A pitchfork is useful for moving around large quantities of composted material at once. Remove all contents from the pile and sort them out on plastic tarps, making sure to keep materials that are ready for use separate from material that still needs time to break down. Sift the pile again after it has been turned so that everything is mixed up.

Compost Sifting Devices

You can purchase a compost sifting device at most home supply stores. These are mainly used to screen out rocks and other inorganic materials, but they can also be used to sift composted soil. Sift through the material regularly if this method is chosen; otherwise, the entire contents may need to be removed.

  • The process of turning your compost pile will likely involve some type of tool like a pitchfork or shovel. This ensures proper mixing of materials throughout the pile while still allowing air flow to reach the bottom layers of the pile. 
  • Sift composted soil through a screen to remove any clogs that might form in your composter. This is time consuming but necessary to keep the composting process running smoothly.
  • Sifting manually or with an indoor compost sifter will allow you to check on how well your pile is doing without ever having to open it up all the way. If materials are rotting, they will have a strong scent — be sure not to mistake this for ammonia, which smells like urine. 
  • Different materials break down at different speeds, so some will need more attention than others. Woody matter such as twigs and sawdust take longer to decompose, while simple materials like grass clippings will break down faster. 
  • For really small piles, you may choose to use a compost aerator tool instead of turning the pile by hand or with an indoor compost sifter. Aerators are useful for making sure that air reaches all your materials without disturbing them too much. 
  • The fact that food scraps make up such a large percentage of household waste means that you can find plenty of suitable things to add to your compost bin at home. However, keep in mind that this kind of material should never be added to your composter if it has not been cooked first; otherwise, it could attract pests and lead to diseases like salmonella. 
  • Sift your compost if it contains a lot of clay soil. 
  • Sifting through your pile at least once per month is necessary to keep the process running smoothly. 
  • Sift or screen your compost if it contains a lot of clay soil. This process will depend on what kind of composter you have set up at home. Sifting is best done outside or in an area where you can control the material being carried by the wind.
  • Sift your composted soil to remove any clogs that may form in your composter. Sifting is time consuming but necessary to keep the composting process running smoothly. Be sure to check that materials are not rotting, which may result in a strong scent. 
  • Sift or screen your compost if it contains a lot of clay soil. Sifting is best done outside to control the material being carried by the wind, and this process will depend on what kind of composter you have set up at home. Sifting is time consuming but necessary to keep the composting process running smoothly.
  • Sift your composted soil regularly so that all materials are thoroughly mixed.