Composting Yard Waste

Fact Sheet No. 7.212 Gardening Series| Yard

by C.R. Wilson and J.R. Feucht*

Revised by S. Newman**
Quick Facts
All yards produce waste from pruning,
• Composting yard waste
lawn mowing and other routine plant care
activities. Composting is a way to reduce the recycles nutrients back
volume of organic wastes and return them to into the yard and saves
the soil to benefit growing plants. landfill space.
Organic matter improves the drainage • Composting reduces yard
and aeration of clay soil. Compost can be
waste volume by 50 to 75
thought of as a separator that “shoulders
percent.
apart” tightly packed clay particles to allow
water and air to enter. Composting helps • Compost made with manure
sandy soil hold water and nutrients. Compost is questionable for use in food
holds moisture “like a sponge” and releases gardens due to newer strains
fertilizer nutrients slowly. It also increases the of bacteria that cause food-
activity of earthworms and other natural soil
borne illnesses.
organisms that are beneficial to plant growth. Figure 1: Many materials can be composted.
Note: Compost is a soil amendment, not a • The microorganisms
fertilizer. It contains limited plant nutrients. plant wastes, research has found that the that break down plant
microorganisms that break down plants also wastes require favorable
are present on the surface of the leaves and temperatures, moisture
Making Compost stems. It’s natural for some soil to cling to and oxygen.
To make traditional compost, alternate pulled weeds and uprooted vegetable and
different types of shredded plant materials in flower plants. When you add large amounts • Compost can be used as a
6- to 8-inch layers. Layering helps compost of soil, you increase the weight, which soil amendment and a mulch.
reach the correct nitrogen balance. Use makes composting difficult and less efficient.
equal parts by volume of dry and green plant Large amounts of soil also can suffocate
materials in the overall mix. Use caution microorganisms. Soilless composting is
when you add layers of fine green plant often practiced.
wastes such as grass clippings. Grass mats Add water to the compost after every few
easily and prevents water from moving layers of material. If the plant materials are
through the mass during the composting dry and no green material is available, add a
process. Use 2-inch layers of fine materials or small quantity of blood meal or a commercial
process them through a machine shredder. nitrogen fertilizer free of weed killers. One-
Alternate fine materials with woody plant half cup of ammonium sulfate per bushel of
prunings to prevent clogging the machine material is sufficient. Livestock manure also
and to create an equal balance of dry and can be added and supplies some nitrogen.
green materials. Like soil, manure adds weight and bulk. The
Traditional composting includes soil space devoted to manure could be used to
as one of the layers. While soil can serve compost yard wastes.
as a source of microbes to “inoculate” There is no advantage in adding compost
starters or inoculum to the compost. The ©Colorado State University
*
C.R. Wilson, former Colorado State University Extension microbes that cause decomposition multiply Extension. 10/97. Revised 10/14.
horticulture agent, Denver County; and J.R. Feucht, just as rapidly from those that are naturally
former Extension landscape plant specialist and www.ext.colostate.edu
professor, horticulture.
found on the plant waste.
S. Newman, Colorado State University Extension
**

greenhouse crop specialist and professor. 10/2014

 Many, but not all, plant disease survive the composting process. If
Catching and bagging grass clippings organisms are killed if the compost reaches manure is composted for food gardens,
is not worth the effort when they are 122 degrees F. Temperatures will vary a two- to four-month curing process
easily recycled right on the lawn. For throughout the compost. Outer layers stay following composting is necessary to
details, see fact sheet 7.007, Eliminate cooler than the center and cause uneven kill reduce pathogens. Favorable moisture and
Grass Clipping Collection. If clippings of disease organisms. If a plant is severely temperature conditions during curing
are too long to leave on a lawn, diseased, it is better to dispose of it in allow microorganisms to develop and
composting is a better alternative than the trash. outcompete the pathogens. Thoroughly
disposal in the trash. Some weeds can In general, avoid plants treated with wash all fruits and vegetables and peel
be composted, particularly if they are
weed killers. Small amounts of herbicide- according to safe food handling practices
treated plants may be mixed in the to minimize the possibility of bacteria-
pulled before they produce seed.
pile as long as you allow for thorough contaminated soil being carried into food
decomposition. Weed killers and other prepared for human consumption.
pesticides break down at various rates. Black and white newsprint is best
Materials to Use and Avoid If you use treated grass clippings, the recycled through recycling collection
breakdown of these chemicals should be at operations rather than converted to
A variety of materials can be least as fast as breakdown in the soil. Plants compost. If paper is composted due to a
composted, but most gardeners want to killed with weed killers that are soil inactive shortage of dry materials, add no more
recycle collected yard waste. Plants lose (glyphosate products such as Roundup or than 10 percent of the total weight of the
between 50 and 75 percent of their volume Kleenup) should present no problem when material being composted. Do not use
in composting, so a lot of plant material can composted in small quantities. wood ashes or lime for composting in
be processed  effectively. In addition to yard wastes, many people Colorado. Both increase salt and alkalinity,
Composting can be effective on most compost kitchen wastes, such as vegetable which leads to a loss of nitrogen in the form
yard wastes such as leaves, vegetable and scraps, coffee grounds and eggshells. These of ammonia gas.
flower plant parts, straw, and a limited materials compost well and usually are
amount of woody prunings, grass clippings not produced in large enough quantities
and weeds. Woody twigs and branches to displace yard wastes. Animal wastes Location and Structures
that are greater than 1/4 inch in diameter (meat, bones, grease, whole eggs and dairy Choose a composting site carefully.
should first be put through a shredder- products) may cause odors and attract Partial shade avoids baking and drying
chipper. Avoid highly resinous wood and rodents; they are not recommended. in summer but provides some solar heat
leaf prunings from plants such as junipers, Human, cat or dog feces may transmit to start the composting action. A site
pine, spruce and arborvitae. The resins diseases and should not be used. Some protected from drying winds prevents too
protect these materials from decomposition animal products that can be used as organic much moisture loss. Another consideration
and extend the time needed for compost­ing sources of nitrogen include blood and is convenience for moving volumes of plant
in comparison with other plant materials. steamed bone meal and livestock manures materials in and out of the area. Choose a
High tannin-containing leaves (oak and from plant-eating animals (cows, sheep, site close to where material will be used,
cottonwood) have similar problems but rabbits and chickens). but not highly visible or that interferes with
can be used in small quantities if chopped Manures may contain new strains yard activities.
well and mixed with other materials. The of E. coli and other bacteria that cause Structures aren’t necessary for
easiest way to handle grass clippings is to human illness. The use of manures added composting but do prevent wind and
leave them on the lawn. Research shows directly to the food garden is questionable, marauding animals from carrying away
that they return valuable nutrients back to although use on ornamental plantings is plant wastes. Open compost piles can
the soil. Some grass clippings can be used still recommended. Research shows that be used in less-populated rural locales,
for compost if other green plant material 2 to 10 percent of bacterial pathogens but structures are a near-must in urban
isn’t available. areas. Many composting structures can be
purchased or built (Figure 2). They vary in
how well they can be managed to meet the
requirements for effective decomposition
under Colorado environmental conditions.
Many people cover their compost with
plastic to prevent the outer layers from
drying too much. Remove the covers
periodically to add more water and plant
material and to aerate the mass.
A minimum volume of material is
necessary to build up the heat necessary
➞
Removable End for efficient composting. This volume is
Wood Slat Bin ➞ Gate generally around 36 inches by 36 inches
by 36 inches. Well-insulated wood or
Figure 2: Wood slat and wire mesh Wire Mesh Bin
composting bins.
plastic structures can be smaller and still
 things, these microbes require favorable
temperatures, moisture, oxygen and Maintenance
nutrients. (See Table 1.)
• If compost is properly mixed
Temperature. Plant-digesting microbes
and maintained, a final product
operate in a temperature range of 70 to
140 degrees, but breakdown occurs slowly may be obtained in one to two
at the lower temperatures. Well-managed months under optimum summer
compost rapidly breaks down in summer conditions. It should be about
when compost temperatures quickly reach half its original size with an
120 to 130 degrees. If summer heat plus the earthy smell.
Figure 3: Three-bin and plastic composters.
heat produced by active microorganisms
• Proper moisture and air levels are
causes the temperature of the plant mass
hold enough heat to compost well. Wastes to exceed 160 degrees, the microbes will especially important. Dry plant
should heat up within two days if the die. Colorado winter temperatures cool wastes quickly stop composting.
compost is put together correctly. compost and greatly extend the time Plant materials often dry on
Structures built of wire also may have required to produce a finished product. the outside while the center
drying problems. This depends on how Moisture and oxygen. Moisture remains moist.
many sides are exposed and whether and oxygen are essential to microbial
• Water consistently to keep
exposure is on the windward side. Plastic activity. In a region of limited rainfall
covers or tarps often must be used with such as Colorado, add moisture regularly compost uniformly moist but
wire bins. Wood structures do not dry as to maintain composting. If parts of the not wet.
much but are generally more expensive composting material dry out, many • Use an aeration tool to reach
to purchase or build. An efficient wood microorganisms in the dry areas die. Even into the compost to lift and move
structure is the three-chambered bin when moisture is added, the microbes that
plant materials. Turn the entire
system that allows plant material to be remain require time to multiply and resume
mass occasionally to provide
aerated by turning it from one bin to the plant digestion. The net result is slower
next as it decomposes (Figure 3). composting. However, excess moisture uniform aeration.
Compact plastic composters are displaces air and slows breakdown. Surplus • Small amounts of fresh materials
available through garden centers and water creates low oxygen conditions where may be added to compost,
catalogs (Figure 3). They work well for certain microbes multiply and produce particularly if a vertical composting
small yards that produce few plant wastes. foul odors. The best description of the
system is used.
Some of these use a vertical composting proper moisture level is moist or damp but
system where fresh materials are added to not soggy. The entire mass of plant wastes • In other systems, too much fresh
the top and finished compost is removed should be moistened uniformly to the point material results in a mixture of fully-
from a drawer in the bottom. This system where only a few drops of water can be decomposed and fresh materials.
requires an aeration tool to reach in and stir squeezed from a fistful of plant material.
plant materials on a regular basis. If you use The size of plant particles that go into • If enough material is available,
metal barrels for composting, drill holes to the compost also affects aeration. Large make a new pile instead of
allow air to enter. Turn the barrel on its side particles allow a lot of air to circulate combining fresh materials with
and roll it to mix and aerate the compost. around the plant chunks, but breakdown nearly finished compost.
is slow because microbes can act only on
the outside, not on the inside of the large
Requirements for chunks. Particles chopped into smaller to 1 1/2 inches are the best size to use and
Effective Composting chunks increase the surface area for can be produced by hand or machine
The breakdown of organic yard wastes microbes to operate. Particles chopped shredding. Chop woody materials into
is a biological process dependent on too small will compact and restrict air a smaller size. Leave soft plant parts in
microorganism activity. Like most living flow. Moderate-sized plant pieces of 1/2 larger pieces for effective composting. Fluff
or turn the material with a pitchfork or
aerator tool at regular intervals to provide
Table 1: A troubleshooting guide for effective composting.
additional aeration and distribute microbes
Symptom Cause Solution
throughout the compost.
Compost has a bad odor. Lack of air. Turn or use a tool to aerate it.
The center of the mass is dry. Lack of water, not Moisten materials while stirring Nutrients. The microbes that break
watering regularly. or turning the pile. down plants use the plants for food.
The outside couple of inches Dry Colorado air. Water regularly or cover with a Nitrogen is the most important food
are dry. plastic sheet or tarp. nutrient, because a nitrogen shortage
The center is damp and warm. Too small a plant Collect more plant materials; mix drastically slows the composting process.
mass overall. with the old to form a new mass.
Woody and dried plant materials tend
Outside is cool and slightly dry. Lack of nitrogen. Mix in a nitrogen source: fresh
Plant wastes are damp and sweet grass, granular fertilizer, blood- to contain little nitrogen in comparison
smelling, but mass will not heat up. meal or manure. to the total mass of the material. Green
plant material, however, contains a high to avoid waterlogging. Some weed seeds
percentage of nitrogen. A mix of equal parts can survive composting, but weed plants Compost mainly serves to reduce
by volume of green and dry plant material can be easily pulled. the volume of yard wastes and
generally gives the best nitrogen balance. Mulches suppress garden weeds, cool convert plant materials into a usable
Add a plant fertilizer high in nitrogen when soil, conserve moisture and reduce soil soil amendment. Adding excessive
green materials are scarce. erosion. To mulch, apply a 4- to 5-inch amounts of other materials, such as
layer of organic material on top of the animal manures, defeats the purpose.
soil instead of mixing it into the soil as
Compost as Soil with amendments. In-ground pit composting presents
Amendment and Mulch Compost can be used as a mulch. It has problems with turning or aerating
Mix soil amendments well with the soil the disadvantage of being light and easily the plant material and also can pool
to separate clay particles or hold water in blown away in the wind, unlike bark or water, which leads to undesirable low
sand. For this reason, prepare soil before rock mulch that stays in place. Like any oxygen conditions.
planting lawns or trees. Areas planted every organic mulch, compost supports weed
year, such as vegetable or annual flower growth, which can cause problems if weed
gardens, can accept frequent applications of seeds blow into the area. While mulches
compost. Indoor potted plants and outdoor eventually become incorporated into
container plants benefit from compost the soil, amending the soil directly with
as an ingredient in potting soils. As with compost is a better solution where soil
peat-based mixes, potting soils that use conditions limit plant growth.
compost require a material such as perlite

Colorado State University, U.S. Department of

Agriculture and Colorado counties cooperating.
CSU Extension programs are available to all without
discrimination. No endorsement of products mentioned
is intended nor is criticism implied of products not
mentioned.