With the weather warming up, we can finally look forward to working outdoors and more importantly, in the soil. Compost is an excellent way to enhance the soil and increase its quality, making it a vital tool to a successful garden.  Typically, people associate the autumn months with composting but it is a process that is just as important in the spring. It is also easier than you think! There are different methods and things to keep in mind as you spring into composting.

For backyard composting purposes, the easiest is a simple recipe of “browns,” “greens,” and of course, water. All of which play an important role in the breakdown of your compostables. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends composting items such as; dead leaves, twigs, branches, grass clippings, vegetable and fruit scraps and waste, and coffee grounds. You can also compost things like eggs shells, coffee filters and any other kitchen scraps. Balanced with just enough water to keep it damp, you have created the ideal mixture for the perfect compost.

In addition to your compost recipe, access to things like horse, cow or chicken manure, can also help with the composting process. As the manure begins to decay, it creates warmth, killing pathogens and weed seeds. Manure is also an excellent slow release source of nutrients for soil and therefore, whatever you intend to plant in it. If you are concerned about odor, be sure to mix it with things like dry grass clippings, shredded newspaper and dried leaves.

The process of composting can be done in a small corner of a backyard, in a barrel, a bin, a tub, a small container, etc. There is no wrong size to start with and as you get better and better at it, you will be able to change the size of your composting needs. Composting is not only a great way to recycle nutrients back into the soil, but it also helps decrease the volume of refuse going into landfills. This year International Composting Awareness Week is May 3rd-9th. In order to make a difference and also help us celebrate, please feel free to check out all of our useful information on composting on our website at www.cortlandcountyswcd.org or calling the office at 607-756-5991. We look forward to hearing your composting successes!