COMPOST LIKE YOU MEAN IT
What I am finding out to be true: education is one of the missing pieces to getting more people onboard with an elevated sustainable life style. This summer we are going to go 'back to the basics' and today we are going to learn about composting - I know riveting!
There are many reasons why people consider composting and even more reason why people quit. Over the last couple decades my relationship with composting has been rocky at best. I have the general understanding of how it all works - growing up on an organic vegetable farm in Vermont gave me a front seat view to composting on a larger scale. I know that when you stick your hand into a compost pile it should be HOT. But I quickly found out our quaint Key West back yards are not built for large compost piles.
Over the past 20 years, I can honestly say my effort level was consistent, but it wasn't pretty. Some years my food waste ended up in the freezer until the trash truck rolled through each week. Other years I enjoyed a fancy turn-style composter that somehow created miracles - month after month I would put food (and other things) in and I never had to empty it. To some, that would be disappointing not to collect 'black gold' but I didn't have anywhere to put it, so it was the perfect match. It did come with cockroaches. I can admit that sometimes I lacked space, other times I just lacked patience or energy.
If you have ever considered dipping your toes into the collection of rotting food, here are some lessons learned, help tips and an overview how you can truly help our environment be reducing the amount of food waste making its way to the landfill.
REASONS TO COMPOST
Environmental Benefits: Composting reduces waste, makes us less dependent on landfills, and decreases greenhouse gas emissions.
Soil and Plant Health: Compost strengthens soil and promotes healthy plant growth. It also recycles essential nutrients back into the soil.
Climate and Resource Conservation: Composting reduces the need for pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. It also promotes a prolific soil ecosystem encouraging biodiversity.
TWO COMPOSTING METHODS
The two main methods of home composting are hot composting and vermicomposting. It should be noted that not all compostable products can be put into your home compost. Compostable plastics, for example, require much higher heat to break down and must be disposed of through your curbside green bin program.
Hot Composting
Hot composting takes about three months to yield a viable batch of compost. You can start with a fairly large, enclosed bin or tumbler or build a wooden enclosure that’s open on the bottom. Lay straw or twigs on top of bare earth and add compost material in layers, alternating dry (sawdust, wood ashes, straw) and moist (kitchen scraps, tea bags, coffee grounds). Add green manure (chicken manure is recommended, but generally, manure from any non-carnivorous animal is okay) to encourage nitrogen activity. You’ll need to keep the pile moist but not wet, keep it covered, and turn it every few weeks with a shovel, hoe, or pitchfork.
Vermicomposting
Vermicomposting uses a particular type of worm (redworms) to break down the compost material. The worms eat your food scraps, releasing nitrogen in the process, which feeds the microorganisms involved in breaking down the material. You can purchase redworms at just about any garden supply store. Because vermicomposting is usually done in smaller containers, you can have a decent batch of compost in just six to eight weeks. Some tips for vermicomposting include:
Don’t overfeed the worms: Start slow and only add more food when the previous batch is mostly gone to avoid rotting, odors, and fruit flies. Also, to maintain worm health, avoid adding glossy paper, citrus, or salty foods.
Create a hospitable environment: Keep bins in a cool, dark place with shredded newspaper, cardboard, or coconut coir for bedding. Worm bins that are too wet, dry, hot, or cold can stress or even kill the worms.
Avoid letting worm castings build up: Harvest worm castings at least every few months and refresh their bedding to keep their environment hospitable.
LOCAL KEY WEST EVENT
Compost Drop-Off & Demonstration
On the third Saturday of the month, [June 20] from 9 AM - 12 PM the Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden will be hosting a welcoming, community-centered Native Plant Sale where neighbors, gardeners, and nature lovers come together to celebrate and support the local environment. Explore a diverse selection of native trees, shrubs, vines, palms, and vegetable plants that thrive in the Florida Keys while providing essential habitat for birds, butterflies, and other pollinators. Friendly staff and Master Gardeners are available to share knowledge, answer questions, and help visitors choose the right plants for their homes and landscapes. This monthly gathering also features a Compost Drop-Off & Demonstration, offering a hands-on opportunity to learn sustainable practices alongside fellow community members. Bring food scraps and yard waste, connect with others interested in reducing waste, and discover how composting can enrich soil and support a healthier island ecosystem. Every purchase and participation helps support the Garden’s conservation efforts, making this not just a sale, but a shared investment in the community’s future.
This is a great opportunity for education, but logistically, you can't just collect and store your compost for a full month and pretend it isn't going to attract cockroaches and 'grow' maggots. I tried, it was a disaster. To make this option work, you will have to create an actual mini/temporary composting bin and 'feed it' by adding brown matter and turn/rotate frequently. Ensure the bin is something you can lift and transport to the Botanical Gardens each month. Another option is to shovel it into a smaller bin for transport, but I can assure you, that isn't always a smooth transition.
COMPOSTER OPTIONS
Open Air Wooden Enclosure - obviously not for a tiny yard, but if you have the space, and the time, this will be the fastest way to compost you can use on your garden or plants.
Jora Tumbling Composter - this comes in multiple sizes and can fit down a walk way and worked great when you consistently spin and add carbon.
Tumble Compost Bin - Light weight and more mobile, this gives you the ability to move it around and is easy to load and spin. The prefect starting point.
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