Resources: Composting

The Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture has identified composting as a critical component to sustaining urban agriculture efforts. Compost adds organic matter to the soil and helps to maintain healthy productive growing conditions. CCUA has built compost bins in several community gardens and private residences in Columbia. If you would like for us to help you install a new or improve an existing composting system please contact us to set up a time to tour your site.

If you need compost in a hurry, the city of Columbia offers quality, low cost compost through their Landfill and Compost Facility.

Building your compost bin

Pallets are by far the easiest and cheapest way to build your own compost bin.

You will need:

• Four pallets of the same size
• Four short pieces of 2x4 (these can be scraps)
• Eight screws or nails (3" long)

What you’ll be doing is making a square box. Start by standing two of the pallets up perpendicular to each other on their ends. Attach the two pallets together with the 2x4 and screws or nails. Repeat this step until you’ve got a box.

Many businesses are willing to give pallets away for free, as they’re usually thrown away after one use. If you can’t find a business looking to give them away you can purchase them from Civic Recycling (573-474-9526) for $1/apice.

Fence is another easy way to build a compost bin, but it will cost a little more money.

You will need:

• Four T-Posts
• 16' of fence with a small grid (either 3' or 4' high)
• Metal bailing wire
• Tin snips
• A T-Post driver or sledgehammer

What you’ll be doing is making a square box. Drive each of the four posts in the ground in a 4’ square. Wrap the fence around the four posts. Where the ends of fence meet tie them to each other with the metal bailing wire.

Managing your compost bin

You are now the proud parent of billions and billions of microbes! These microbes are very easy to take care of and will yield as much finished compost as you have food to feed them. If you maintain a good balance of green and brown they will flourish.

Green Material: Food scraps, fresh lawn clippings, fresh manure

Brown Material: Straw, old animal bedding, sawdust, leaves, etc.

Do not place much emphasis on exact ratios.

1. Place food scraps on top of pile.
2. Add some brown material to cover the food scraps.
3. Repeat, its like making a big nasty lasagna.

Potential Problems

• Smell: Too much green material, add some brown material.
• Flies: Add more straw on top.
• Too dry: Water.