Did You Know?

Over 20% of the material that goes to Albuquerque's landfill is grass, leaves, tree and shrub clippings, and other yard waste.

Worms Eat My Garbage

You can also use earthworms to help create compost even faster. Learn more about vermicomposting >>

What is Composting?

Instead of throwing away grass, leaves, shrub clippings, and kitchen scraps with your garbage, you can compost them in your backyard!

Composting is the controlled break-down of organic matter like plants and wood. Sure, nature will decompose these materials on its own, but composting makes this happen more quickly. Using a composting pile or bin creates the perfect environment so that the dark brown, crumbly, sweet-smelling soil we call compost is created quickly.

Why Should You Compost?

• Compost makes plants healthier.
• Compost holds moisture and nutrients for the garden so flowers and vegetables are more beautiful and abundant.
• Compost saves money by decreasing the need for fertilizers and water, while conserving natural resources.
• Compost reduces the amount of waste in our landfill.

Compost Do's and Don'ts

DO Compost

DO NOT Compost

Grass clippings Leaves and twigs Shrub prunings Plants, including houseplants Weeds (except those with seeds) and sod Sawdust Dryer and vaccuum lint Hair and fur Fruits and vegetables Horse and cow manure Cardboard rolls Clean paper Coffee grounds and paper filters Eggshells Fireplace ashes Hay and straw Nut shells Shredded newspaper Tea bags Wood chips

Meat and fish, because they create odor problems and attract pests such as rodents and flies. Cheese and dairy products, because they create odor problems and attract pests such as rodents and flies. Grease or fat, because they create odor problems and attract pests such as rodents and flies. Oil or salad dressings, because they create odor problems and attract pests such as rodents and flies. Bones, because they create odor problems and attract pests such as rodents and flies. Pet waste, because it might contain parasites, bacteria, germs, pathogens, and viruses harmful to humans. Coal or charcoal ashes, because they may contain chemicals that are harmful to plants. Logs or woody branches, because they are too big to decompose quickly. Diseased or insect-infected plants, because the diseases or insects might transfer to other plants. Yard trimmings treated with chemical pesticides, because they might kill beneficial compost organisms and the plant where the compost is applied.

Using Compost

Compost has many uses, and can make gardening easier and more successful. Use compost for:

• Soil amending. Stir compost into flower beds and vegetable gardens each year to renew the soil. Compost keeps plants healthy, improves soil structure, holds moisture in the soil, suppresses plant diseases, and adds nutrients, minerals, and beneficial organisms to help plants grow.
• Mulching is a great way to use compost. Spread several inches of compost on top of the soil around plants, trees, and shrubs. It will deter weeds and conserve water.
• Potting soil for house plants can be made by mixing equal parts of compost with sand or soil.

How to Compost

Composting is easy! Composting happens naturally when leaves, grass, and shrub clippings build up in layers and stay moist. You can speed the process, and if you do it in a convenient location, you reap the benefits as well as reducing your yard waste.

Here are a few tips on setting up a composting operation in your own backyard:

1. Find a Suitable Place

• Choose a sheltered shady spot that is handy for you.
• Put your bin near a water source but not where water stands.

2. Build a Compost Bin
There are many types of bins you can buy, but if you want to build your own, here are several ideas for simple bins using free or inexpensive materials:

	Use wire fencing to make a round bin at least three feet in diameter. Ten feet of fencing will make a convenient sized bin.
	Make a square bin from snow fencing. Use 4-inch posts or a two-by-four at each corner for stability.
	Build a bin with four sides out of four-foot-square frames covered with wire mesh using one-by-four or two-by-four lumber. Hinges and hooks on one side make it easy to open and close.
	If you have room, build a three-section bin. Turn the compost from one section into another. This type of bin is best if you have a large amount of yard waste.
	Build a bin from cement bricks or hay bales. If you use bricks, turn them on their sides to allow air to enter.
	Forget the bin altogether, and simply build a pile of organic material. Keep in mind that this method will not create finished compost as quickly as the enclosed methods.

3. Start Your Compost Pile
Layering the materials helps keep proportions right for efficient composting. Start with:

• a 6- to 8-inch layer of coarse materials like weeds, shrub clippings, or wood chips
• a 1-inch layer of cow or horse manure, if you have it
• a 6- to 8-inch layer of mixed leaves, grass, and other yard waste

Mix grass clippings and/or straw with dry woody materials, and never have a layer of grass and/or straw bigger than 2 inches thick. Materials that are less than 3/4-inch in size decompose fastest. Shredding helps speed the composting process.
Water each layer as you add it and be sure not to compact it - oxygen is very important for composting.
Repeat the layers as many times as necessary, but don't make it so big you can't stir it!

Step 4. Water the Pile
Your pile should be as damp as a wrung-out sponge.

Step 5. Turn the Pile
Turn or "churn" the pile once a week using a spading fork. This allows air to get inside the pile and helps the compost "cook" faster.

Your compost should be ready in two to three months.

Troubleshooting

Composting doesn't happen overnight. Your heap needs regular tending to keep it "cooking." Here are a few common problems that composters may have and some simple solutions:

Symptom	Problem	Solution
The compost smells bad.	Not enough air.	Turn the pile. Add dry material if the pile is too wet.
The center of the pile is dry.	Not enough water.	Water and turn the pile.
The pile is damp and warm only in the middle.	The pile is too small.	Collect more material and mix the new with the old.
The heap is damp and sweet smelling but doesn't heat up or decompose.	Lack of nitrogen.	Add fresh grass clippings, manure, or nitrogen fertilizer.
The heap smells like ammonia.	Too much grass or other high-nitrogen material.	Turn the pile to aerate it, and then add dry leaves or wood chips.
There are pests in the pile.	Rotting food in the pile.	Don't throw meat or dairy products into your pile. If meat or dairy has been added, turn the pile often, and remove any meat or other food wastes.
The pile is shrinking.	This is normal!	Compost is a success!

Sources: Backyard Composting in Albuquerque and Bernalillo County - You are the Source... Be the Solution, a joint effort of City of Albuquerque Solid Waste Management Department, New Mexico State University Bernalillo County Extension Office, and Albuquerque Master Composters, EPA Composting site.

Learn More

• Compost Guide
• New Mexico State University Guide to Composting with Worms
• Master Composters
• USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Composting Information