How to Compost

3 Step Method to Quick and Easy Composting

Here is our Three Step Method for quick and easy composting -

Step 1- Gather your materials

Find carbon-rich materials throughout your yard or garden, such as dried leaves or prunings. Next, gather your nitrogen-rich materials, such as freshly cut grass. If possible, gather enough to completely fill your compost bin, which should measure 3'x3'x3' (holding one cubic yard of material). If you don't have enough material to fill your bin, add more later as you collect it.

Step 2- Build your compost system

Select a compost bin location that gets filtered sunlight with plenty of shade. Start your compost system on loosened soil. Begin by applying one six-inch layer of carbon-rich material. Add a generous amount of water. Next add a two-inch layer of nitrogen-rich materials. Scatter a thin layer of soil or finished compost on top to act as a compost "starter". Add a generous amount of water. Repeat this carbon-nitrogen-starter-water layer building process until your compost bin is full. Your last layer should be of carbon-rich materials.

Step 3- Maintain your compost system

Maintaining your system will require ten minutes every 7 to 10 days. Turn and mix the materials in your system using a pitchfork or compost turning tool. This adds air to your system, important to healthy composting. Add enough water while turning to moisten the contents, like a moist sponge. If your pile becomes warm or hot, that means faster composting is taking place. Your pile will shrink in volume as time goes on, allowing you to add more yard and kitchen waste materials. After three or four months, the contents of your bin will have turned into dark, crumbly earth called humus. This completes the compost process.

View our composting videos by clicking here.

Worm Box Composting
Red composting worms are best for worm box composting. Our native worms do not live well in the worm box's shallow environment. They can be purchased by mail or obtained from friends who already have a worm box. Generally, one-pound of worms are sufficient for a good start.

The worm box can be made from a plastic bin with lid, approximately 14 to 20 gallon capacity. Make sure the box has sufficient 1/4 inch air holes on the side and top. A few holes should be placed in the floor of the box to allow for drainage. Once you have your box ready for worms, follow these steps to complete your set up.

First, add four to six handfuls of topsoil to the bottom of your empty worm box. This will provide minerals for the worms to ingest. Minerals helps the worms to digest the food waste materials you place in your worm box. Place your worms on top of the dirt. Next, place fruit and vegetable scraps or house plant clippings on top of the worms.

The final step in setting up your worm box is to add a layer of shredded paper on top of the worms and their food. Hand-shred newspaper in long strips or ask a local business to give you shredded paper. Add sufficient shredded paper to create a four-inch layer. Moisten the paper. The paper will act as a water source for your worms, provide insulation, and also an emergency food source, should you forget to feed them. Finish by placing the bin in a location protected from the sun.

You have completed set up of your worm box.

Get Compost Worms

The following business is good source for composting worms. Our native worms that you find in your yard or compost bin WILL NOT work in a worm box. They will not live in the shallow environment you create in your worm box so you will need "composting" worms (Eisenia Foetida) for your worm box. Another good source for free composting worms is a friend's worm box! Ask to grab a handful of worms that will become the "seed" population for your worm box. They will multiply quickly to a population appropriate for your box size and the amount of food you feed them. For additional information or assistance on worm box composting, call (925) 906-1801 ext. 306.

Local Worm Source:

Foothill Worm Ranch
7190 Foothill Road
Pleasanton, CA 94566-9702

Matt Abbruscato
(925) 484-4192
www.foothillwormranch.com