What is the Best Way to Define Composting? 
Composting is the process of organic material decomposition and the resulting substance is called compost. Every garden benefits from the addition of compost because it supplies many of the nutrients plants need!
- Improves the soil’s physical characteristics
- Increases the soil's capacity to hold water and nutrients
- Increases soil aeration
What is Compost Composed of?
Grass Clippings: Have high nitrogen content and make excellent compost. Mix green, fresh clippings with dry plant material such as leaves to keep the grass from compacting as it settles. Compaction restricts airflow from entering the pile and slows the composting process.
Dry Leaves: These are plentiful in the fall, and rather than putting them out by the curb, add them to your compost pile. Most leaves decompose faster and more thoroughly when shredded before being added to the pile.
Sawdust: Abundant at sawmills in many areas, especially in East Texas. Always compost sawdust before adding it to your garden because it can temporarily deplete nitrogen in the soil as it decomposes.
Specific Kitchen Scraps: Fruit and vegetable trimmings, coffee grounds and filters, and eggshells are great items for the compost pile. Do not use products such as grease, fat or meat/dairy items because they break down very slowly, attract rodents/pests and have an unpleasant odor potentially upsetting your neighbors!
How Do I Build a Compost Bin?
You can buy many types of composting bins (easiest option if you live in the city), but you can also make one with wire fencing, cement blocks, bricks, or even scrap lumber. The compost pile should be located:
- In a secluded area
- Preferably near the garden
- In a partially shaded area to prevent the pile from drying out too fast
- In a spot with good drainage so it does not become waterlogged
Building your own compost bin has many options, see chapter 3 in this informative guide for all of the details!
Can Composting Reduce the Size of Landfills?
If we compost many of the items we throw away, such as kitchen scraps, grass clippings, leaves, and other landscape debris, we could divert 30 percent of the trash currently going into landfills. By composting these materials, we can reduce the amount of waste we generate and produce organic matter/nutrients for our garden, landscape and yard!
Composting at the Library
I love the practice of composting, we have three bins located at the Evelyn Meador Branch. I bring grass clippings and leaves every time I cut my yard and stir them twice a week and add a little water. The organic material that is created in the compost bins is called leaf mold which is black gold for our raised beds. Please stop by if you would like a compost tour and more information.
Happy Gardening!
If you have further questions, feel free to submit your questions to a Harris County Master Gardener!
This Month on The Green Thumb
This month on the “Green Thumb” Program, Teresa See (Advanced Master Gardener), answers any questions you might have and breaks down all you need to know about Composting. The “Green Thumb” program is a monthly video lecture series led by a Harris County Master Gardener and hosted by the Harris County Public Library.
Composting Events at HCPL
Not ready to commit fully to composting, but want to head in the right direction? Well, steer for one of these HCPL branch Compost Drop-Offs in October and November. HCPL Compost Drop-offs
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