Compost Awareness Week a good time to build a proper bin

It is International Compost Awareness Week and The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension offices across the state can help you build a proper compost bin which can help you make the most of your food and yard waste and improve the soil.

According to a story by Lisa Sehannie on the service’s website, higher temperatures across Georgia make May the ideal time to consider building a compost bin.

Master composter Sehannie says the basics of composting are simple enough, but many composters run into trouble because their piles are too cool, too dry or too wet. It can be tricky to strike the balance.

She says to maintain a healthy compost pile, you need to maintain the proper moisture level. Composting organisms — bacteria, worms, insects — are like any other living thing — they need water to survive and thrive. Inadequate water will inhibit the activities of composting organisms, resulting in a slower composting process. If the compost pile is too moist, however, water will displace air and create anaerobic conditions in the pile.

The moisture level of a compost pile should be roughly 40 to 60 percent. To the touch, the compost pile should feel like a wrung sponge.

The moisture level in a compost bin is easy to detect and, for the most part, easy to fix. If the bin is too wet, pools of water will accumulate at the bottom of the bin. Additionally, worms trying to escape from the bin or an unsavory smell are also indicators that the bin is too wet.

To fix a high moisture level, Sehannie says add more items that can absorb the water, such as newspaper or cardboard. Stop adding food items that have a high water content.

A bin that is too dry is equally unpleasant for the worms. How do you know if your bin is too dry? Dried worms are a sure indicator. To raise the moisture level, spray the bin with water or add food items with a high water content.

The temperature level of a compost bin is always important to monitor, especially in worm bins.

Sehannke says a high temperature is desirable in a backyard compost pile, as it will accelerate the decomposition of materials. The heat can also aid in breaking down pathogens and weeds. The ideal temperature in a composting pile is between 135 and 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

To increase the temperature of a compost pile, turn the pile weekly. Turning the pile will allow oxygen to flow, maintaining the aerobic condition of the pile and regenerating heat. Temperature in a worm bin is quite different than it is in a compost pile. Unlike compost, worms prefer temperatures between 55 and 77 F. If you keep your worm bin outside, consider relocating it to a more temperature-regulated place, such as a garage, or during the warmer months, underneath a sink in the house.

This story was originally published May 8, 2017 at 7:23 PM with the headline "Compost Awareness Week a good time to build a proper bin."