Composting for the Absolute Beginner: Chapter 1 Summary
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Composting for the Absolute Beginner: Chapter 1 Summary
Welcome to the first post in my series on Composting for the Absolute Beginner: How to Improve Your Soil for Better Organic Gardening by Dede Cummings. (Click here to purchase the book in hardback or kindle.) In this series, I'll be sharing insights and tips from the book to help you get started with composting and improve your soil health. I personally am new to composting and am going to share my journey.
Chapter 1: The Basics of Composting
In the first chapter, Dede Cummings introduces the fundamental concepts of composting. She explains the importance of composting for soil health and the environment, highlighting how composting can reduce waste and enrich garden soil. The chapter covers the essential components of composting, including:
- Green and Brown Materials: Understanding the balance between nitrogen-rich green materials (like kitchen scraps and grass clippings) and carbon-rich brown materials (such as leaves and cardboard). Cummings suggests a general ratio of 2 parts brown materials to 1-part green materials to maintain an effective composting process.
- Moisture and Aeration: The importance of keeping your compost pile moist but not soggy, and ensuring it gets enough air to facilitate decomposition. While Cummings doesn't specify an exact amount of water, she advises that the compost should feel like a wrung-out sponge.
- Temperature: How to monitor and manage the temperature of your compost pile to speed up the composting process. Cummings explains that the ideal temperature range for composting is between 135°F and 160°F. This range helps to kill off weed seeds and pathogens while promoting the activity of beneficial microbes. She also recommends using a compost thermometer to monitor the temperature accurately.
Cummings also provides practical tips for setting up your composting system, whether you're using a simple pile, a bin, or a tumbler.
My Composting Setup
For my composting journey, I'll be using a 37-gallon double tumbler. This type of composter is great for efficiently managing compost in a small space and allows for continuous composting by having two separate chambers.
[Check here for a link to my compost tumbler]
If you're looking for a smaller option for your kitchen, consider a countertop compost bin. These are perfect for collecting kitchen scraps before transferring them to your main compost bin.
[Check here for a link to a countertop compost bin]
Please understand you don't need a fancy compost bin like I have listed. You can easily just put it all in a heap on the ground. However, animals might get into it & there will probably be a smell.
To monitor the temperature of your compost, I recommend getting a compost thermometer. This tool will help you ensure your compost is in the ideal temperature range for efficient decomposition. The one I have chosen to buy for my journey is below. It has a pH meter, soil moisture, sunlight intensity, and Temperature. 4-in-1 Soil Moisture Meter Digital PH Meter/Soil Moisture/Plant Temperature/Sunlight Intensity, Backlight LCD Display, Soil Test Meter for Garden, Lawn, Plant Care, Farm and Indoor Outdoor Plants.
However, for a cheaper option Amazon does sell this one for only $9.99. Compost Thermometer Stainless Steel Soil Testing Thermometer 5 Inch Stem, Easily Monitor The Temperature in Compost Bin, Ideal for Outdoor Use(5'')
Stay tuned for more posts in this series as we dive deeper into the world of composting and learn how to create rich, fertile soil for our gardens.
Make sure to check by at The Diaries of The Foliage Goddess for the rest of the series. If you have great expert ideas please reach out either at the contact me or feel free to reach out on instagram or Facebook.
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Happy composting!
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