Creating Composting Systems in Boulder and Jefferson County

Creating Effective Composting Systems

Composting is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and improve the soil on your property when you are landscaping in Boulder and Jefferson County. You can use compost as a great alternative to commercial fertilizer. The key is knowing how to create a compost system and what you can put into it.

Choose the Right Location

You want to make sure that your compost bin is in the right area. The area should get moderate sunlight and have good access to water. This ensures healthy compost. You want to add a variety of items to your compost, including brown items that are carbon-based and green items that are nitrogen-based. The ratio you want to use is 1:2 green to brown.

Good green items include:

  • Fruit and vegetable scraps

  • Nut and egg shells

  • Tea bags

  • Manure

  • Fresh glass clippings

  • Coffee grounds

  • Bread products

  • Flat beer

Good brown items include:

  • Cardboard products

  • Paper egg cartons

  • Untreated wood

  • Lint

  • Wine corks

  • Dead branches, needles, leaves and pine cones

  • Hay and sawdust

  • Newspaper and tissues

  • Shredded junk mail

Certain items should be left out because they can result in bacteria infiltrating your compost pile. They can also negatively impact the good microorganisms you want to flourish in your compost. Things you do not want to put in your compost bin:

  • Meat and bones

  • Dairy products

  • Treated wood

  • Yard clippings that contain any herbicides or pesticides

  • Cooking oils and fats

  • Cat or dog waste

  • Diseased plants or weeds

Choosing the Right Style and Size for Your Compost Bin

You have to consider how much space you have to choose the right size. If you have a lot of property, you can take advantage of a multi-bin system. If your space is limited, you want to use a single bin. Creating a bin is easy and it only requires some wire fencing, wood and hinges for the door of the compost bin. You can choose whether you want it taller or wider and how big you want the door to be. Just be sure to adhere to the location information listed above to make sure that it is properly placed.

The Steps for Effective Composting

You will layer it, water it, turn it and repeat the process. It is relatively simple and as long as you tend to your compost on a regular basis, you can create a great source of nutrients for your plants and garden.

When you are building your bin, you want to do so on soil that is well drained. You can improve drainage by layering the bottom of your bin with some basic gravel. Then, place your brown matter first with the layer being about six inches. Then, place your green matter in a layer of about three inches. Make sure to water these well until they are moist like a damp sponge. Continue this process until your bin is full.

Common Composting Problems and Their Solutions

If your compost has an especially strong and unpleasant odor, you want to make sure that you are not overwatering and that you are tilling enough. This will solve the problem by allowing for better air circulation in Boulder and Jefferson County. If your compost stalls, add more green matter and make sure to hydrate it better. If it is slimy, reduce watering and add more brown matter to the mix.

Now you know more about creating composting systems that will work. This ensures that you have the compost you need to feed your plants. Make sure to keep an eye on your compost and that you are only putting into it what you should. This ensures rich compost for effective growing.