Using Your Finished Compost

 After months of composting, you've completed your harvest and now have a big, beautiful pile of crumbly, brown compost. Congratulations! Um, now what? 

Garden Beds Love Compost 

The most common and popular way to use compost is on garden beds. But how much should you use? If you are mulching it onto a raised garden bed, you should aim to put only about a half inch layer or less across the top, to not saturate your plants with nutrients. If your garden bed is not raised, you can go a little thicker (one or two inches) with it as it's going to be distributed deeper into the soil and likely into some of its surroundings as well. You can add more compost monthly, especially to compost-loving plants like tomatoes, corn, and squash. Your garden beds would also love a thick application at the end of the growing season, giving them all winter to absorb the nutrients and be prepared for spring once again.   

No Garden? No Problem! 

If you have a grass lawn, you can spread compost on top. It will work its way into the soil and around the grass so long as it is applied in a thin layer and not heavily enough to cover the grass entirely. This extra cover will help add nutrients to your soil in a natural way that should over time create a beautiful, healthy lawn. You could also put compost down on bald spots and work some grass seed in, speeding up their growth and establishment.  

What if You Don't Have a Yard? 

You can always apply compost to houseplants, but much like with raised garden beds, you'll want to only give your plants a thin layer. Since there is even less soil in a potted plant, you only need to give it a sprinkle. You can add more if you are repotting your plants to help them adjust. You could even create your own potting mix using your compost (2 parts), peat moss (1 part), and perlite (1 part). 

If you don't have a green thumb but have a green mentality, use your compost to make seed bombs- a fun project that also could incorporate native plants and help pollinators! There are plenty of options for finished compost out there; or you can always share your hard-earned compost with a friend. Maybe it'll inspire them to start their own compost system! 

Blogger: Sam Plante

Frequently Asked Questions of a Composter

It's been a great year for the compost seminars! We loved getting to know those who attended, and I'll never complain about having the opportunity to talk compost with folks who are interested. What can be better than a room full of composters? Not a lot! It's always inspiring to hear about everyone's personal goals, challenges, and motivations when starting up a compost pile. 

We know many could not make it to these events (we had a slew of some really rainy and windy days!), so I wanted to sum up some of our most commonly asked questions, in hopes that it may be helpful to some of you! 

Do I have to add worms to my compost? 

No. While some worms are likely to get in your compost pile to help with decomposition, you do not need to specifically purchase worms to add to your compost. Vermicomposting is a specific practice where you use worms to break down organic material, but it is not an essential element of composting. Vermicomposting is a type of composting, but not all composting has to be vermicomposting (think of rectangles and squares here). You will want some form of decomposer to have access to your compost pile to speed the process along. If your pile is directly on the ground in a lawn or on soil, you're already all set! If you have a tumbler, or your compost is on pavement, you will need to add a few scoops of natural soil to your compost to incorporate some microbes. 

Where is the best place to put my compost bin? 

Compost bins aren’t picky- so ultimately you can put them wherever works best for you! We do have a couple “best practices” of where NOT to put your compost bin, that may help you narrow it down. First, don’t put your bin right next to a live tree or an untreated fence. The compost pile is breaking down organic material, and it could decompose your fence or your tree if it really starts cooking. Next, keep your pile away from clutter and keep it somewhere you will likely visit often. If there is a lot of clutter around or if it’s too out of the way for you to visit, you may find some pests will want to make a home out of your compost. This is easily avoided by visiting often, and not giving easy hiding places. It shouldn’t matter if the compost is in the sun or the shade, either will be just fine!

How do I plan for enough browns? 

In the seminars, we talk about how you should always cover your “greens” (nitrogen-rich material) with “browns” (carbon-rich material). It’s not usually difficult to source the greens, as it can be any plant material and many food scraps. Browns are items such as leaves, paper towels, woodchips, cardboard, or straw. They are easy to come by in the fall because dried leaves are plentiful. What about the rest of the year? You can make a leaf bin in the fall to collect and store leaves to use on your compost all year round. At our office, we collect paper towels in a specific bin and use them on our compost when needed as well. It’s all about planning and storage. When in doubt, ask a neighbor; most of the time, they are happy to part ways with their extra leaves.

Do you have any unanswered questions about starting a compost pile in Hamilton County? Let us know! We'd be happy to help! 

Bloggers: Sam Plante and Elise Roalef

Composting in Terracotta

 Telling one and telling all- I've started a new-to-me compost system in my yard to tell you all about (and I can't stop talking about it)! Enter, composting in terracotta pots.

Terracotta composting is quite truly what the name implies, creating compost within stacked terracotta pots. These pots have drilled aeration holes, and all but the lowest pot have the bottoms removed, with netting installed to allow for airflow. 

This hand-me-down composter came from coworker of mine, and from another coworker before that. It's seen its share of spaces between the three of us; because it's so convenient. The method was created in India, and the principles can apply in this climate. 

The concept resembles that of more standard compost methods. You put your browns as a base, and layer in your greens. Once your top pot is full, you'll give it a mix to aerate and then move the pot down your tower, placing an empty pot on top. You will continue this process, and in 2-3 months, should have finished compost in your bottom pot. This system works well for me, as my household only consists of two people, and we produce minimal food scraps. 

There are some key differences between this method and more typical backyard composting that I should highlight. 

Use cocopeat as your brown. 

Cocopeat is traditionally used as the brown, or carbon source. It is much finer than autumn leaves or wood chips, and provides better coverage of the greens. You can add leaves to this system, but you'll want to toss in some cocopeat as well to ensure it stays dry. Cocopeat is also inexpensive and easy to come by. If you do not have access or would like an alternative, sawdust shares many of the same properties, so could also be used. 

The system should be drier. 

The terracotta pots are covered, and because they are aerated naturally, your compost will be drier. This is OKAY. As mentioned above, the cocopeat is a really dry material, and it helps to ensure that there are no smells, as this system was ultimately created for small spaces such as porches and patios. The pots also should be kept away from direct rain, unlike most backyard composters.

You may want to add microorganisms.

It's totally optional, but the process may be a little slower if left to it's own devices. The terracotta pots keep the compost from direct contact with the natural organisms in the soil. The food scraps will contain organisms that will eventually be able to break down your compost, it just might take some time. You can buy compost starter that contains microbes from a local home department store or online.

For more information, or for a DIY on how to make your own terracotta pot system, you can visit this Sustainable America blog post. Or, if you want to compare to more typical compost methods, you can visit our blog on How to Build a Layered Compost Pile. 

As this is a brand-new system for me, it'll take a while before I have a finished compost product. Rest assured; I'll keep you posted.

Posted by: Sam Plante

Backyard Composting Seminars are Back!

I know many of you are regular composters, and some have been doing it for decades, but if you know of folks who are interested in getting started or hoping to get some new tips for backyard composting, please spread the word about Hamilton County's free Backyard Composting Seminars! This April and May, there will be six in-person options through the County and one virtual option. We will discuss the benefits of composting, what methods can be used, how to start, what to compost, how to maintain your compost, how to troubleshoot, AND how to use the compost at home (phew!). Of course, there will be plenty of time for questions! 

Check out the Seminar Schedule: 

Date	Location	Time (PM)	Address
4/2/2024	Colerain Twp. Trustee Chambers	6:30	4200 Springdale Rd. Cincinnati, OH  45251
4/9/2024	Deer Park Library	6:30	3970 E Galbraith Rd, Cincinnati, OH  45236
4/23/2024	Virtual Zoom Webinar	12:00 (noon)	Zoom link provided
4/25/2024	Springfield Twp. ArtsConnect Building A	6:30	9158 Winton Rd, Cincinnati, Ohio  45231 (Building A)
4/30/2024	Hamilton County Educational Service Center	6:30	11083 Hamilton Ave, Cincinnati, OH  45231
5/9/2024	North College Hill Senior Center	6:30	1586 Goodman Ave, Cincinnati, Ohio  45224
5/21/2024	Civic Garden Center	6:30	2715 Reading Rd, Cincinnati, OH  45206

To register for a seminar or share with a friend, click this link. 

Happy Spring and Happy Composting! 

Guest Blogger: Elise Roalef

Sometimes... I wet my compost

Managing Food Scraps in My Kitchen

Before I compost, I make every effort to prevent food waste. Besides making a shopping list and storing food safely, I save my scraps to make stock.

Peels core, and vegetable ends go in a 1-quart container in my freezer. When full, I add the scraps to 2-3 quarts of water and boil. After straining, I freeze the stock and put the scraps in my kitchen collector with coffee grounds, tea, eggshells, and leaves.   

Adding Scraps to My Bin

When I'm ready to take my food scraps to the compost, I add water to my kitchen collector. This mixture helps keep my compost moist. My compost tumbler tends to dry out quickly so the added water and moisture from the food scraps is needed.

Sometimes, when I add my scraps, liquid will drip through the tumbler. I keep a tray lined with egg cartons and shredded paper beneath my tumbler. Once it's done draining, I toss the egg cartons and shredded paper into the tumbler. 

Ongoing Maintenance

Checking the moisture level is important. Most of the year a weekly check is fine, but in the hot summer months, I need to check every few days. If my plants need water, my compost probably does too! 

If my compost smells, I cap it with carbon-rich materials like leaves, egg cartons, and shredded newspaper. I must be a good neighbor!

And that's it! Composting with a tumbler doesn't have to be a lot of work. I find success building the process into my schedule and always keeping my tumbler moist.  

Guest Blogger: Tony Staubach

Compost Like a Pro

Earlier this month, I was able to attend the US Composting Council's Compost Conference in Daytona Beach, FL. As the newest backyard composter of the bunch, I felt overwhelmed by the scale of these massive composting operations, but still left feeling more motivated than ever after being surrounded by such a passionate community. On the airplane back to Ohio (which was somehow just as warm as Florida? In February?!), I "broke down" a few takeaways that I could apply in my own backyard.

1. Find your why. Every person who composted had a motivation that drove them to consistently put in the extra effort. Some were motivated to compost in order to restore soil health. For others, it was to reduce food waste in the landfill and slow the impacts of climate change. Many stated that they started their compost operations because they wanted to do everything they could to maintain a healthy and thriving community for themselves and for their families. What drives you?
2. Know your limits. One of the scariest things a composter can do is grow too fast. Accepting more materials than you can handle can lead to odors and mismanaged piles. Pace yourself. In your backyard, start with just vegetative scraps. As you get more and more comfortable, you can try out other compostables such as grains, eggshells, or other surprising things you could compost, without getting overwhelmed or fatigued. 
3. Team Up! Partnerships and community go a long way! Find backyard composters near you to discuss ideas, celebrate wins, and problem solve with. Collaboration can come in all sizes, and composting doesn't have to be a solo sport. 

And with these thoughts, I leave you with a final question: Is it time to turn your compost? 

Guest Blogger: Sam Plante

Difficult to Compost Compostables: Christmas Trees

Are Christmas Trees compostable? If they are not artificial trees, then of course they are! They are organic material, so they are going to decompose over time. But are they a good fit for your backyard compost? Let’s break down the components of your Christmas tree.

Are your decorations compostable?

Take off your ornaments, your ribbon, your garland, and your lights. If you opted for natural decorations, like a popcorn or cranberry garland or some dried oranges as ornaments, you can put those straight into your compost pile! Be sure to check if the thread is compostable, and if not, deconstruct before adding. Your lights can be stored for next year, along with any other non-compostable items. If you are not looking to keep these items, drop them off at a local reuse center if possible!

Do you want to compost your tree needles?

There are positives and negatives to composting tree needles. Christmas tree (and other evergreen) needles have a waxy coat over them. This keeps them from clumping together and extends the time of breakdown. If you need better aeration of your compost pile, adding a few may not be a bad idea, but keep in mind that your compost pile’s decomposition rate is already much slower because we are in the mostly dormant, winter months. You CAN use needles as a mulch, especially for acid loving plants. Pine needles also can be repurposed as a fire starter, drawer freshener, soap, or more.

What can you do with your tree?

Christmas trees can be substantial in size. You want material that goes into your backyard compost bin to be small enough to break down (usually within the season). If you don’t have a chipper in your backyard, it could take years for a tree to fully break down, and you may just not have enough room in your compost bin to wait that long. Check with your local community to see if they have Christmas tree pick-up or drop- off programs. If not, Hamilton County is still accepting trees at these drop off locations on Saturday, January 13^th, 2024, from 12-3pm.

Hopefully these tips will help you best manage your tree as you are starting your new year. Speaking of New Year, don’t forget to set up some compost resolutions using tips from some of our past New Year blogs here:

My New Years Composting Resolution

New Years Resolution: Feed my Soil

Happy Composting!

Guest Blogger: Sam Plante