In this episode of the Sunshine Gardening podcast, titled "The Ultimate Guide to Home Composting," host Kristin Hildabrand welcomes Jessica Hopkins, the horticulture extension agent from Harrison County. The focus is on the fundamentals of home composting and how it benefits Kentucky gardeners.
Kristin introduces the episode, highlighting the discussion on equipment, materials for composting, ways to maintain an efficient compost pile, and how to troubleshoot common composting problems. She encourages listeners to grab their gardening gloves as they dive into the topic.
Jessica explains that composting is the natural decomposition of organic materials, which can be sped up by gathering these materials in a specific location. The resulting compost enriches soil, benefiting gardens and lawns.
She elaborates on basic materials useful for composting, noting that the process can be as simple or complex as desired. She suggests starting with spent plants, raked leaves, and other organic materials. Various composting systems are discussed, including an open pile, enclosed bins made from pallets, and purchased composters that can speed up the process.
Kristin and Jessica discuss the importance of sunlight for decomposition, stating that full sunlight is preferable but partial shade is acceptable. Essential hand tools for composting include shovels and rakes for turning the compost.
As they delve into setting up a compost bin, Jessica describes the need for a mix of brown (carbon-rich) and green (nitrogen-rich) materials at a ratio of about 25 parts brown to 1 part green. Brown materials include dry leaves and cardboard, while green materials encompass fresh grass clippings and kitchen scraps.
The conversation turns to items to avoid adding to the compost, such as meat, bones, dairy, and diseased plants, as they can attract pests and cause odor problems. Jessica emphasizes that animal manure should not be used in backyard composting due to potential pathogens, as home compost piles generally do not reach the necessary temperatures for safe breakdown.
They also discuss maintaining a proper balance of greens and browns, as well as the importance of oxygen, moisture, and temperature for effective decomposition. Kristin and Jessica outline that compost should be moist but not overly wet. Turning the compost pile every few days or once a week is encouraged to ensure proper aeration.
Jessica explains that compost may take varying amounts of time to mature, depending on numerous factors, and provides guidance on troubleshooting issues like unpleasant smells or slow decomposition. She identifies causes for rot or ammonia smells, which could indicate imbalances of air and moisture or incorrect ratios of greens and browns.
As the episode comes to a close, they discuss resources available for beginners, particularly emphasizing the importance of consulting local extension services for reliable inf...
