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Saturday, April 21, 2001
Recycle, reuse the same way nature does

With Earth Day celebrations scheduled for tomorrow throughout the nation, it only seems appropriate to discuss one of Mother Earth's most effective recycling programs. I'm not talking about collecting aluminum cans or bundling newspapers by the truckload. Composting is nature's way of recycling dead plant and animal materials back into the soil through decomposition. This process removes waste materials from the environment and returns nutrients to the soil.
   As the world population grows and concentrates around urban centers, the need to do our part to imitate these natural processes is increasingly critical. Composting at both the municipal and home levels helps reduce materials added to our landfills by providing an alternative disposal site for grass clippings and kitchen scraps. It is also one of the most effective ways for the home gardener to save money by creating their own soil amendments.
   'Clean' compost
   Many homeowners think that compost is messy and smelly. If it is properly managed, nothing could be further from the truth. Finished compost is soft, pliable and smells like freshly plowed soil. If your compost pile has strong odors, then there is a problem in the decomposition process.
   Compost requires five basic elements: organic materials, microorganisms, oxygen, water and a small amount of nitrogen. Organic matter for home compost bins comes from kitchen and yard trash. The microorganisms are bacteria and small plant life that live in soil and manure that naturally break down organic material. To do this, they need oxygen, water and some nitrogen.
   Air is the only part that cannot be added in excess. Too much nitrogen kills the microbes and creates an ammonia smell; too much water reduces air circulation in the pile and creates a sour, rotting smell. Turning the pile regularly is one of the keys to prevent a build-up of nitrogen or water.
   Variety of forms
   Home compost piles come in a variety of forms, ranging from simple piles to elaborate bins that spin and mix the decomposing materials. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. The main thing to remember is that it doesn't have to be expensive or difficult. Find what works for you.
   One of the most creative forms I've seen is taking four wood pallets and using them to create the walls of the bin. Using hooks will allow you to easily open the pile for turning and efficiently change out any damaged or decaying walls to your bin. Nails can also be used to connect three of the four sides together; just make sure you have access to turn the pile and remove finished compost.
   No matter which style you choose, it is important to maintain your pile so that the materials reach a minimum temperature of 160 degrees; that is the critical temperature needed to destroy most weed seeds, insect eggs and disease organisms and results in a relatively pest-free soil amendment. Covering the pile can help corral the heat.
   What can be added?
   Both green and dried plant materials are important for a healthy compost pile. Grass clippings are a natural because they add moisture and nitrogen to your pile. Vegetable and fruit scraps from the kitchen are great for composting. However, be careful not to add grease, fat or meat trimmings, since they break down slowly and attract rodents.
   Yard waste is another great source of composting materials. Dry leaves can be added and will decompose faster if shredded before being added to the pile. Other materials include sod removed from the lawn, hay, weeds, shredded newspaper and hedge clippings. Large twigs break down slowly and should be avoided.
   Sawdust can also be added; however, it breaks down slowly due to high lignin levels in the wood. Sawdust should be added sparingly to the pile, with additional nitrogen, to accelerate the decomposition process.
   Area cotton farming can provide another ingredient - gin trash. Cotton hulls are a wasteproduct of cotton gins, but they can also be an excellent source for additional organic matter. In the past, arsenic was used for cotton farming to defoliate the plants prior to harvest. The arsenic did not break down during composting and prevented healthy vegetable growth. However, since 1991, defoliation techniques have eliminated arsenic from the process, thus protecting the environment and allowing gardeners to recycle the gin trash.
   Layers of success
   The most common method of building a compost pile is layering. Place a layer of coarse materials such as shrub clippings and small twigs. Next, add 6 to 8 inches of organic matter followed by 1 inch of garden soil or manure to supply microorganisms.
   If soil is used, add a cup of garden fertilizer to the soil. Manure can be used in place of soil and it doesn't require additional nitrogen. Repeat these layers, keeping the soil moist.
   It is important to remember to turn or stir the pile weekly during the summer and monthly during the winter. This practice will increase air circulation and incorporate the outer organic material into the center of the pile. As you turn the pile, check for moisture throughout the pile making sure it is neither dry nor waterlogged.
   The City of Corpus Christi Solid Waste Department is offering a free composting class on April 28th from 8 a.m. to 11:00. The class includes a tour of the City's municipal composting facility, along with mulching instructions and a take-home bin to begin composting at home. For more information or to make a reservation, call 857-1970. Space is limited.
   Composting is a simple, yet useful means of recycling that benefits the environment and the gardener. It takes little effort, but the benefits can be bountiful. If you haven't built a compost pile, let me encourage you to begin today; it's a great way to actively celebrate Earth Day while providing a valuable resource for your landscaping endeavors.

Michael Womack is a horticulturist with the Texas Agricultural Extension Service. Got a question? Michael Womack will answer landscape and gardening questions. Call 886-4648, category 3025 to record your question. Write Keep It Green, Corpus Christi Caller-Times, P.O. Box 9136, Corpus Christi, TX 78469 or email wm-womack@tamu.edu

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