Andrews, A. 2016, Turn Golden Fall Leaves into Garden Gold with Composting, Reno Gazette-Journal

Fall garden clean-up is underway, but before you kick yard waste to the curb, consider composting. Composting breaks down living matter under controlled conditions. When the process is complete, compost can be added to garden soil. Soil amended with composted organic matter holds water and nutrients better. This helps your plants.

Interested? Try hot composting. It’s efficient and safe. Its high temperatures speed up life cycles of compost decomposers, converting compost to soil more quickly. The process also discourages disease-harboring molds.

Hot composting starts with ingredients, things you may otherwise put out for trash day. Gather carbon-rich materials like dry leaves, twigs, wood chips, weed-free hay or straw, and sawdust or shredded paper. Collect nitrogen-rich items like kitchen scraps, coffee grounds, tea bags, eggshells, pesticide-free grass clippings and fresh garden waste.

Leave out meat, dairy, oils or other fats and pet or human waste. Cut items down so they are less than two inches in diameter.

Now, build your pile. Find a site in a partly to mostly sunny part of the yard. The site should have good drainage and easy access to water. Compost can be home for garden pests or annoying insects. So, place your compost pile away from garden, patio or picnic areas.

Build your pile by mixing materials in a ratio of two parts carbon-rich to one-part nitrogen-rich. Alternate layers of ingredients with thin layers of soil or finished compost.

Make sure your pile is no smaller than 3 or 4 cubic feet. Microbes produce heat when they help process compost. A good sized compost pile will let that heat reach 120 to 140 degrees F in the center.

Once your compost lasagna is created, give it some water. Compost should be kept spongy with moisture, but not overly wet.

Keep track of the pile’s performance by taking its internal temperature daily with a long-stemmed compost thermometer. Turn the pile after the temperature reaches its peak and starts cooling down, usually once every 5 to 7 days.

Also look for creepy crawlies. Their presence can indicate the health of your pile because if they are there, their microscopic food is there. And that food is breaking down your pile. Hope for things like beetles, ants, spiders and centipedes. You may even see earthworms and sow bugs.

Having microbial and insect compost decomposers is wonderful. But, animals do not belong in the pile. Keep them out and keep ingredients nicely contained with a covered compost bin. There are many options from DIY bins to ones offered by your favorite local garden center. No matter your selection, good air circulation is key.

And, no matter your set up, there is a universal way to tell when compost is finished. It will be dark brown and crumbly with no large chunks of original materials in sight. It should not be hot, moldy or stinky.

Once it’s done, cure compost for about a month before use. Your soil (and your plants) will thank you.

Learn more about the author(s)

 

Also of Interest:

 
yarrow
Groundcover Plants for Southern Nevada: Viable Alternatives to Turfgrass
Groundcover plants are essential for keeping southern Nevada cool. While many desert residents are removing turfgrass to reduce water use, they should consider replacing it with the attractive, drought tolerant alternatives discussed in this publication.
McGue, L., Robinson, M.L., O'Callaghan, A.O. and Leas, L. 2021, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-21-93
Horticultural Business Opportunities in Lincoln County, Nevada
This special publication contains in-depth information on landscaping trees that grow in Lincoln County and native shrubs, wildflowers, cacti and vines that could be produced for landscaping. Learn through detailed tables that indicate the location and zone and list the botanical...
Gatzke, H. 2007, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, SP-07-17
Creeping thyme groundcover can make a good lawn alternative.
Lawn Alternatives for Northern Nevada
Northern Nevada is a high desert climate, so traditional lawns require a lot of water and maintenance here. If you're looking for a more water-efficient and low-maintenance option for your yard, here are a few ideas to get you started.
Jensen, C. and Kratsch, H. 2023, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-24-07
Use Fertilizers Sparingly on Lawns at Lake Tahoe
If you have turf on your property and want to protect Lake Tahoe’s water quality, one of the most important things you can do is avoid over-fertilizing your lawn. It’s vitally important to prevent plant fertilizers from washing off lawns or infiltrating to groundwater.
Cobourn, J. and Kratsch, H. 2013, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, FS-13-37
Fall Lawn Care Grows Healthy Spring Lawns Andrews, A. 2015, Reno Gazette-Journal