• Turning the Pile – Speeds up decomposition. Turn at least monthly; twice a month is better. • Vermicomposting – If you live in an apartment, consider worm composting. Red wiggler worms break down food scraps, producing excellent fertilizer. WHAT TO AVOID While simple, composting has a few don’ts: • No Meat, Dairy, Fats, or Animal Waste – Attracts pests and creates odors. • No Chemically Treated Grass – Herbicides and pesticides can harm plants. • No Diseased or Invasive Plants – Spreads pathogens or takes over the pile. • Avoid Anaerobic Conditions – Neglected piles turn smelly. Turn regularly for aeration. • No Fireplace or Charcoal Ash – Wood ash alters pH and charcoal ash contains chemicals.
Keeping the pile moist and aerated deters unwanted visitors. “Dry piles attract skinks and sometimes snakes, so moisture is key,” Dennison warned. LOCAL COMPOSTING RESOURCES In Anne Arundel County, the local recycling office provides free compost bins to residents. Composting workshops at Quiet Waters Park begin in April, coinciding with Earth Day. The University of Maryland’s Home & Garden Information Center also offers online guides on composting. Whether improving your garden, reducing waste, or trying something new, composting is a rewarding habit. “Don’t be intimidated….Start small and don’t overthink it,” Kelm advised. As Dennison reminds us, “It doesn’t have to be perfect—just start, and nature will do the rest.” Source(s): Traunfeld, Jon. 2024. “How to Make Compost at Home.” University of Maryland Extension. https://extension.umd.edu/resource/how-make- compost-home/
APRIL 2025 | 11
Powered by FlippingBook