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Turning Yard Waste to Compost

Plant Pro

A convenient and economical way of using your grass clippings, leaves and other organic materials is to make a compost pile or install a compost bin. Through composting you can recycle yard waste and food scraps instead of sending them to the landfill.

Compost is a dark earthy-smelling material consisting of decaying organic matter and can be used to fertilize or condition your land and improve plant growth.

Benefits of Using Compost in Your Home Landscape

  • Reduce erosion and nutrient runoff
  • Control and suppress disease and pest infestation
  • Alleviate soil compaction
  • Help save money
  • Conserve natural resources

Here are some guidelines to make your compost pile a success:

1. Location
Place your compost pile or bin in a level area where there is good drainage and adequate sunlight. Do not place in full shaded area.

2. Add Organic Materials: What can you compost?

Carbon Rich Brown Materials
Leaves
Untreated wood chips and sawdust
Dead flowers
Vacuum cleaner bag and contents
Twigs, small branches

Nitrogen Rich Green Materials
Grass clippings
Plant and yard trimmings
Non-meat, non- dairy spoiled foods
Veggie and Fruit peels
Egg shells
Coffee grounds

Do Not Use:
Diseased plants
Grease, fat
Meats, fish and poultry
Bones
Cat litter
Pet wastes

3. Adequate Moisture
A rule of thumb is to squeeze a handful of organic material and if a few drops of water come out it is in the right moisture range. If no water comes out it is too dry and microbial activity is limited. If water pours out, your material is too soggy.

4. Aeration
Rule of Thumb: Turn the pile once or twice a month. A well-mixed compost pile can significantly hasten the compost process. Oxygen is required for microbes to decompose organic material. Lack of oxygen may cause foul odors to emerge and is not recommended.

5. Particle Size
The smaller the size of the material, the faster it will decompose and be available as compost. You may want to mow over leaf piles and shred sticks and twigs greater than ¼ inch in diameter if they are going into your compost pile. The smaller the particle, the more surface area for microbes to act.

For more information please call the URI Master Gardener's at 1-800-448-1011.

Renewable Energy Siting Partnership Stakeholder Meeting #4

When: December 1, 2011, 6pm - 9pm
Where: Hazard Rooms @ URI Coastal Institute Bldg, Narragansett Bay Campus
Details: The focus of this meeting will be presentations on the acoustic impacts of wind turbines and project economics. Attendees must RSVP to Amber Neville at 401.874.6106 or amber@crc.uri.edu due to space limitations.
Directions

The meeting is open to the public, and all are welcome, as the goal is to have a diverse and well-rounded stakeholder process. A light dinner will be provided from 5:30-6pm.

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Holidays in the Park

When: December 10, 2011, 11am - 2pm
Where: Roger Williams Park Botanical Center, Providence RI
Details: Admission-free with donation of a nonperishable good to be donated to RI Food Bank

Escape from the cold outdoors and join us in celebrating the holidays! Activities will include demos on do-it- yourself decorations just in time for the holidays, exciting educational crafts for kids, live music, gifts for every gardener, a raffle and more surprises to come.

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Renewable Energy Siting Partnership (RESP) Wind Resource Assessment Lecture

When: January 24, 2012, 6pm - 7pm
Where: North Kingstown Free Library
Details: URI researchers will present their current work related to the wind resource assessment component of the Renewable Energy Siting Partnership.

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