Backyard Composting

What is Composting?

Composting is a natural process that breaks down organic materials into a biological soil amendment (sometimes referred to as humus). You can place compost in the garden or around your home’s landscaping.

Why Compost?

The average single family home in Palm Beach County generates 1,700 pounds per year of yard waste, which amounts to over 40% of the total household generation of solid waste. The SWA receives more than 200,000 tons of yard waste per year, and the amount keeps growing. Backyard composting is important because:
  • It is an environmentally sound and cost effective way to reduce solid waste.
  • It extends the life of the existing landfills and delays the need to create new landfills.
  • It creates a useful soil amendment that really makes your garden and landscape grow.

Helpful Composting Links

Resources that may be helpful as you start composting:

Composting is Part of the 3Rs

Composting reduces the amount of yard waste generated. Compost can be reused in your yard or garden. The nutrients in compost are recycled back into the soil and plant life.

Here's How to Get Started

  1. Select a compost bin. Compost bins are available at most major home centers.
  2. Select an area in your yard to place the compost bin. The area you select should receive equal amounts of sunshine and shade.
  3. Make up a recipe of 4 parts greens to 2 parts browns and place it inside your compost bin. Keeping a balance of moist green materials and dry brown materials will help the compost pile break down faster. To enhance the composting process of a new pile, sprinkle garden soil on the material or leave some finished compost underneath.

    Greens
    (High in Nitrogen)
    		Browns
    (High in Carbon)
    		Do Not Use
    Grass clippings
    		Leaves
    		Bones
    Pruning clippings
    		Bark
    		Dog / Cat feces
    Fruits and vegetables
    		Straw
    		Oil
    Houseplants
    		Woodchips
    		Grease
    Manure (examples: cow, horse, pig, chicken, rabbit)
    		Sawdust
    		Fat
    Kitchen scraps (examples: stale bread, egg shells, coffee grounds (filters too), tea bags, citrus rinds, fruit and vegetable peels)
    		Newspaper (shredded)
    		Wood ash
      Brush (chopped)
    		Meat / Fish scraps
      Corn stalks
    		Dairy products
        Weed seeds
        Diseased plants
  4. Periodically mix the materials with a shovel or pitchfork and let nature take its course. On average, it takes six to eight weeks before you will see black organic matter developing at the bottom. Once this has occurred, feel free to start using your compost for:
    • Soil conditioning
    • Lawn dressing
    • Potting soil component
    • Landscape mulch

Having Problems?

Consult the following trouble shooting guide.

Problem Possible Cause Solution
Foul odor Excessive moisture

Compaction 		Turn pile or add dry material, such as straw. Turn pile or decrease its size.
Ammonia odor Too much nitrogen Add high-carbon (brown) items.
Low temperature Pile too small

Low moisture

Poor aeration

Cold weather 		Enlarge pile. Add water and turn. Turn pile. Increase pile size or insulate pile with a layer of material, such as straw.
High temperature Pile too large

Too much nitrogen 		Reduce pile size or turn more frequently. Add high-carbon (brown) items.
Pests, such as rats, raccoons and insects Presence of meat scraps or fatty food wastes Remove meat and fatty foods from pile and cover with a layer of soil or sawdust; or, switch to an animal-proof compost bin.

Remember that composting is just one way to reduce the amount of yard waste you throw away.