Composting

Top 10 Reasons to Compost

1-Feel good about yourself-Be environmentally responsible

2-Save money-Reduce the need for chemical fertilizers and mulch

3-Create a gorgeous and healthy landscape

4-Improve the quality of your soil

5-Reduce the amount of yard waste going to the landfill

6-Protect the Chesapeake Bay and watershed

7-Decrease water use in your landscape

8-Protect your privacy-It's a final resting place for your shredded personal papers

9-It's easy! Compost happens!

10- Free bin to Howard Countyresidents makes it even easier

Composting removes your grass chippings, weeds, leaves and other yard trimmings from of the waste stream and turns them into a valuable soil amendment, It's the ultimate recycling activity, and you can do it in your backyard.

Backyard composting basics are fairly straightforward: layer equal amounts (by volume) of green, nitrogen-rich materials (grass clippings, fruit and vegetable scraps, weeds, plants, and/or manure) with brown, carbon-rich materials (dry leaves, shredded paper, sawdust, wood chips, and/or wood ash), adding some finished compost or soil between the layers, if desired, to boost the microbial levels. Water the layers so that the pile is about as wet as a wrung out sponge. Then, let it rot! As the microorganisms, earthworms, centipedes and other decomposers in the pile feed, the pile will shrink to a fraction of its original volume. The decomposition can happen without much intervention on your part, but making sure that the pile has adequate moisture and oxygen is important to the health and efficiency of your compost pile. Turning the pile periodically using a pitchfork will aerate and help speed up the process, as will adding water

The pile should be at least 3x3x3 feet, and probably not more than 5x5x5 feet. A bin is not necessary for the compost pile, but helps keep it neat. You can construct a bin from chicken wire, old pallets, lumber, or snow fencing. Various types of bins are commercially available. Free black plastic bins are available to residents from Howard County.

Alpha Ridge Landfill, Centennial Park (near boat launch), Howard County Conservancy, and Schooley Mill Park (near horse ring-- Red worm composting demonstrations too!)

Our 2011 Demonstration Schedule

More information about composting is available at from the University of Maryland's Home and Garden Information Center