By Maureen Wilson —
Most Americans often express interest in composting, the natural process of decomposing natural material into fertilizer, but they believe its inconvenience is holding them back. Janelle Allen disproves this notion in her most recent “Underground Academy” talk. In this session, participants learned about soil health, composting’s significance, and the applications of composting.
As a way to connect to her last talk about recycling, Allen began the presentation by defining what healthy soil is and how its quality affects us. In order for soil to be in its most productive state, it needs to have substantial amounts of minerals; elements like nitrogen and carbon; positive natural conditions such as sufficient water, sunlight, and air; and a wide variety of microorganisms. Fertile soil thrives under these conditions, and subsequently, so do we.
Still, naturally over the course of our history, we’ve found ourselves expanding and occupying more land. Populations boom and require more resources than what the area can healthily sustain. Consequently, the soil can become overused, and erosion can accelerate its degradation. A solution to this growing problem is “successive growth,” Allen suggests, which is the process of planting different crops in the same area at staggered times. It prevents nutrient depletion and preserves the soil as much as possible.
From this point, the presentation shifted to the main topic of composting. Allen mentioned the appeal of the activity, apart from its utility. Composting can bring communities and families together in the act of contributing to the health of the land. Everyone benefits from good fertilizer and conserving water, nutrients, and landfill space. Compositing is versatile and can be sustained almost anywhere, from holes in the ground to kitchen countertop bins. Composting can be done hot or cold, with worms (vermicomposting), or even without air (Bokashi). Among these methods, there’s something practical for everyone.
Once the vehicles of composting were established, Allen shifted to the basics of how to begin. The primary distinction she made is between brown and green items. Brown items are carbon-rich and dry, such as straw, newspaper, and pine needles. Green items are nitrogen-rich and wet, like fresh leaves, coffee grounds, and tea bags. From there, Allen stated, alternating between six inches of brown material and two to four inches of green material is ideal. Large items, however, should sit at the bottom. The pile should be kept appropriately moist by dampening layer by layer, and aerated every other week. As the process continues, the soil becomes more nutrient-rich. What makes it this way is the diverse amount of macro and micro nutrients, composition, and acidity. From this point, Allen diverted the discussion to the different types of soil in general: sand, silt, clay, and loam. In Ohio, our soil favors clay over sand and silt.
As Allen reached the end of her presentation, she briefly covered the importance of vitamins and minerals as micronutrients for our health. Having mature and stable soil is a good first step to achieving this balance. In the composter, the soil should have a crumbly and smooth texture and look dark and rich. After this, it’s recommended to remove the mature material and allow it to cure for approximately four weeks. It will shrink to one-third its original size. The now-finished compost can be used as mulch for garden beds, potted plants, and lawns. Donating to community compost bins is also a popular option.
Afterwards, Prof. Allen took some questions from the audience. The first question was about unconventional or uncommon compostable items, and Allen mentioned number 7 plastics in particular. Most people are unaware about this “other” category of plastic, but it’s always good to check when sorting for recycling. The second question pertained to the relationship between biodegradable items and composting. Allen carried points of the previous inquiry over, mentioning how restaurants using number 7 plastics for utensils or cups are also sometimes biodegradable. Biodegradable items basically have the capability to be broken down by living things. Loose leaf paper, cardboard, and newspaper are all examples of compostable items, and can be composted through various methods, usually by being cut into smaller pieces and layered among the aforementioned browns and greens.
Composting can easily fit into our lives through its range of methods and mobility, while benefiting our communities in the process. Make sure to tune in to Janelle Allen’s other event this week, “Get Your Garden Ready!” at the Hamilton Downtown Center this Saturday, April 5th.