From Scraps to Soil: A DIY Guide to Different Composting Methods

 

From Scraps to Soil: A DIY Guide to Different Composting Methods

Hello fellow eco-conscious gardeners and sustainability enthusiasts! Whether you're a seasoned green thumb or just starting your journey towards a more earth-friendly lifestyle, composting is a fantastic way to reduce waste, enrich your garden, and connect with nature's cycles.

Composting might seem like a single process, but there are actually several different methods you can choose from, each with its own benefits and considerations. In this guide, we'll explore some popular composting techniques and provide you with simple DIY tips to get started today, right here in sunny Florida!

1. Traditional Backyard Composting (The Pile or Bin)

This is the most common method and involves creating a heap or using a bin to decompose organic materials. It's versatile and can handle a wide range of yard waste and kitchen scraps.

How it Works: Microorganisms break down the organic matter in the presence of air and moisture.

DIY Tips:

• Choose Your Location: Select a well-drained spot in your yard that's partially shaded. This helps retain moisture and prevents the pile from drying out too quickly under the Florida sun.
• Build a Simple Bin (Optional): You can easily create a bin using:
  • Pallets: Secure four wooden pallets together to form a square or rectangular bin.
  • Wire Mesh: Form a cylinder with wire mesh and secure the ends.
  • Plastic Bin: Use a large plastic bin with drainage holes drilled in the bottom and sides for aeration.
• Layer Your Materials: Alternate between "greens" (nitrogen-rich, like fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, grass clippings) and "browns" (carbon-rich, like dried leaves, cardboard, shredded newspaper). Start with a layer of browns at the bottom for drainage.
• Maintain Moisture: The compost should feel like a damp sponge. Water it occasionally, especially during dry periods. Florida's humidity can help, but check regularly.
• Turn Your Pile: Turning the compost pile regularly (every few weeks) with a pitchfork or shovel helps aerate it and speeds up decomposition. The frequency depends on your effort level – even occasional turning helps.
• Particle Size Matters: Chop larger items into smaller pieces to help them break down faster in the Florida heat and humidity.

2. Vermicomposting (Composting with Worms)

As we've discussed, this method uses the power of worms (specifically Red Wigglers) to break down food scraps in a contained bin. It's great for smaller spaces and produces nutrient-rich worm castings.

How it Works: Worms consume the organic matter, and their digestive processes create valuable compost.

DIY Tips:

• Build a Simple Worm Bin:
  • Plastic Tote: Use an opaque plastic tote with a lid. Drill air holes in the lid and drainage holes in the bottom. Place a second tote underneath to catch any leachate (worm tea).
  • Stackable Bins: You can also create a stackable system using multiple shallow bins, allowing the worms to migrate upwards to fresh food.
• Create Cozy Bedding: Provide a comfortable environment for your worms using shredded newspaper (black and white ink only), cardboard, coconut coir, or dried leaves. Moisten the bedding so it feels like a damp sponge.
• Introduce Your Red Wigglers: Purchase Red Wigglers from a reputable supplier. Start with about 1 pound of worms for a typical household.
• Feed Them Right: Offer small amounts of fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, and tea bags. Avoid meat, dairy, and oily foods. Bury the food in different spots each time. Remember Florida's warmer temperatures can speed up decomposition, so monitor feeding carefully.
• Maintain Moisture and Temperature: Keep the bedding moist but not soggy. Worms thrive in temperatures between 60-75°F (15-24°C). Protect your bin from extreme heat, especially during Florida summers, by keeping it in a shaded area.
• Harvest Your Castings: After a few months, you'll see dark, crumbly castings. You can harvest these by moving the finished compost to one side and adding fresh bedding and food to the other, encouraging the worms to migrate.

3. Bokashi Composting (Fermentation Method)

Bokashi is an anaerobic (without oxygen) fermentation process that uses inoculated bran to pickle food waste, including meat and dairy, which are typically avoided in other composting methods.

How it Works: Beneficial microorganisms on the Bokashi bran ferment the food scraps, breaking them down partially and reducing odor. The fermented material is then added to a traditional compost pile or buried in the soil to complete decomposition.

DIY Tips:

• Get or Make a Bokashi Bucket: You can purchase a Bokashi bucket system or create your own using two food-grade buckets, one inside the other with a spigot at the bottom for draining liquid.
• Layer Food Scraps and Bokashi Bran: Place food scraps in the bucket and sprinkle a layer of Bokashi bran over each addition. Press down to remove air.
• Drain the Leachate: Regularly drain the liquid that accumulates (Bokashi tea) through the spigot. This liquid can be diluted and used as a plant fertilizer or drain cleaner (use cautiously and dilute heavily).
• Bury or Compost the Fermented Material: Once the bucket is full and has fermented for about two weeks, bury the pickled food waste in your garden soil or add it to your regular compost pile. It will break down quickly. In Florida's warm, humid soil, this process can be quite rapid.
• Make Your Own Bokashi Bran (More Advanced): While you can buy Bokashi bran, you can also make your own using a substrate like wheat bran, rice bran, or sawdust, and inoculating it with beneficial microorganisms. This requires a bit more research and effort.

4. Trench Composting (Burial Method)

This is a simple and low-effort method where you bury your food scraps directly in trenches or holes in your garden.

How it Works: The food scraps decompose underground, directly enriching the surrounding soil.

DIY Tips:

• Dig a Trench or Hole: Choose an area in your garden where you plan to plant or where existing plants need a nutrient boost. Dig a trench or hole about 12-18 inches deep.
• Add Food Scraps: Place your fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, etc., into the trench or hole. Avoid meat and dairy in this method to prevent odors and attract pests.
• Cover with Soil: Completely cover the food scraps with at least 6-8 inches of soil. This helps prevent odors and keeps pests away.
• Rotate Locations: Use different areas of your garden for trench composting over time to distribute the benefits. You can even plant directly over a trench where scraps have been buried for a few weeks. This method works well in Florida's sandy soils, helping to improve their structure and water retention as the organic matter decomposes.

Choosing the Right Method for You

The best composting method depends on your available space, the amount and type of waste you produce, your lifestyle, and your desired effort level. Consider these factors when making your choice.

No matter which method you choose, composting is a rewarding way to connect with nature, reduce your environmental impact, and create a thriving garden right here in Florida! So get started, experiment, and enjoy the journey from scraps to soil!