compost_microbes_lesson — blackwellcopy

For the Curious Composter: How Organic Matter Breaks Down

Here's a question: What the heck is going on inside of a compost pile that magically transforms things like grass, leaves, and food scraps into that crumbly brown stuff that kind of smells good? And speaking of smells, why is it that some piles are completely inoffensive while others wreak like ... well, you know.

The thing is, despite what 'big garden' would have you believe, the dizzying array of tools and bin designs available for purchase (with free, two-day shipping, no less) have very little to do with the actual breakdown of organic wastes. Instead, the true heroes of the decomposition world are microorganisms: things like bacteria and fungi. And as these microscopic munchers feast on organic refuse, they process and leave behind that material’s pent-up nutrients in a form that can be later reabsorbed by plants. (It's a beautiful thing.)

Therefore, your job as a curious composter is one of providing welcoming conditions which allow microorganisms to thrive. Then, they simply do their thing: eat organic waste and recycle it into high-quality compost.

Nature's Balancing Act

If you're new to composting, you may have heard about the importance of maintaining proper balances, or even unique chemical ratios in your pile. However, do not let this fool you into thinking that composting is hard. It's not. Organic decomposition is inevitable. And all you're doing by paying attention to a pile's conditions is helping to speed this natural process along – there really isn't much you can do to mess things up.

That said, if you're one that likes to get your hands dirty (and choose to take on a more active role with your composting), there are only four main 'ingredients' you need to consider. And once you understand the role of each, maintaining a healthy, active pile is just a matter of some trial-and-error until you get a feel for what it takes to keep your compost cookin'.

The Main Course is Served

Bacteria can be kind of boring – especially when it comes to their dietary preferences. In fact, at the local compost bin smorgasbord, the entree is always the same: carbon. And it's no wonder they love the stuff. Carbon is what keeps bacteria alive, reproducing, and enjoying a full and dirty life. Incidentally, bacteria munching away at carbon is also what breaks down organic refuse and processes that matter's nutrients for later reabsorption by plants.

So, to keep your compost heaps healthy, you want to make sure they're made predominantly of carbon-rich plant matter. Referred to as 'browns,' this includes things like dry leaves, hay, straw, branches, saw dust, and paper products. Generally speaking, you can think of browns as being aged, dead plants (you know, things that are brown). Browns are also typically 'dry' and stench free. It's good practice to keep plenty on hand, as you really can't overdo it when adding them to the pile.

Here to Lend a Helping Hand

While bacteria do love their carbon fare, they need a bit of help to properly digest and break it down. This is where nitrogen comes into play. By consuming nitrogen, bacteria produce a protein which acts as a kind of digestive enzyme. As such, I suppose you can think of nitrogen as being like the 'Beano' of the bacterial universe.

In compost jargon, organic wastes high in nitrogen are called 'greens.' Greens include things like kitchen waste, freshly-clipped grass, urine, animal manure, and yes, even people poop. Keeping greens properly balanced with a pile's browns is important for fast and odorless decomposition. But again, don't sweat the details, as finding a good balance is rather simple. Too few greens and you'll notice that the pile is breaking down slowly. Too many and it stinks.

Everybody Just Breathe

Beyond a good balance of browns and greens, your friendly neighborhood bacteria also need oxygen to survive. Well, the ones called ‘aerobes’ do, anyways. And while their ‘anaerobic’ counterparts do not need oxygen to fulfill their filthy deeds, aerobes have a few distinct advantages for the backyard composter.

First of all, aerobes breed much more quickly than anaerobes. This means that you can support a larger colony of bacteria is less time - breaking down your pile at a more rapid clip. Furthermore, aerobes are able to break down organic materials more thoroughly than anaerobes, producing a higher quality and bioavailable compost.

Aside from the benefits of aerobic decomposition, anaerobes also have some unpleasant traits that composters generally turn their noses up at. In particular, anaerobic bacteria produce byproducts that ...

stink,
may not be bioavailable to plants,
and in some cases, are even toxic to them.

In other words, keeping your pile aerated is a good idea.

To do so, use a bin that allows air to circulate in and around the pile. For example, an enclosure with mesh or open-air siding is preferable to a sealed box. Additionally, it's good practice to mix the pile up from time to time using a pitchfork or shovel. This gets air into the materials at the core of the pile, keeping the aerobes, your neighbors, and your nostrils happy.

Yeah, But It's a Wet Heat

Beyond carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen, the final element needed for quick composting is water. But as with nitrogen, there is a balance to be achieved. Fortunately, if the pile is too dry, not much is going to go wrong (other than a slower breakdown). However, if the pile gets too wet, the aerobes cannot get enough oxygen to survive and the pile may become anaerobic. At that point, it's wise to turn (aerate) the pile to continue aerobic decomposition.

Again, maintaining a decent moisture level just takes a bit of observation until you develop a sense of what works. If you're just getting started, a good rule of thumb is that if you were to grab a handful of compost and give it a squeeze, you'd manage to wring out a few drops of water.

At the End of the Day, It’s All About Them Microbes

As you can see, tending to a healthy compost heap really just boils down to providing a good environment for microorganisms thrive. But remember, organic decomposition is a process that's (literally) as old as dirt. Whatever needs to happen to break down your pile eventually will. So, just have some fun and compost your heart out. As you do, you'll gain a sense of what it takes to maintain a pile that recycles your organic wastes fast and stink-free.

Then, you'll be the real, rotten deal – and not just some decom'poser.'

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