Advanced Master Gardener

Recycling Yardwaste: Composting Unit 4

This unit introduces composting as a waste management tool. Composting is defined and the decomposition process is explained. Materials used in compost and environmental factors affecting composting are covered. Uses for Compost and Composting safety are also covered.

Objectives:

Learn the basics of composting: organisms, decomposition, materials, and environmental factors.
Learn how to make and maintain a compost pile.
Learn how compost is used in the home landscape.

Understanding Land Care Management

Composting defined
Composting biology: organisms and decomposition
Materials used in compost
Environmental factors Creating compost
How to construct a compost pile
Compost pile designs
Maintenance of the compost pile
Uses for compost and organic matter in the home landscape
Improving the soil

Unit Review

The Master Gardener Handbook

Chapter 2 Soils and Fertilizers 56-57

Reading Materials

Note that articles cited as:

"Staff. 2004. (Title of article). Master Gardener—Land Care Steward. Virginia Cooperative Extension. "

Are available in the Handbook. To obtain the Handbook please contact the State Master Gardener Coordinator

Composting

WasteFacts: Composting as a Waste Management Tool.

May, Jim and Evanylo, Greg. Do Compost Inoculants Work? Virginia Gardener Newsletter. March 1995.

Simpson, Thomas and May, Jim. Backyard Composting. The Feasibility of a Statewide Yardwaste Composting Program for Virginia . 1989. pp. 27-28.

Georgia Department of Community Affairs. 1996. Home Composter Handbook. The Decomposition Process. pp. 1-10.

Home Composting Education Program. 1995. Humboldt County Master Composter Training Manual. Carbon and Nitrogen. University of California Cooperative Extension.

Creating Compost

Dickson, Nancy and Richard, Thomas and Kozlowski, Robert. Northeast Regional Agricultural Engineering Service Cooperative Extension publication NRAES-43. Composting to Reduce the Waste Stream. Methods of Composting and Composting Alternatives. pp. 10-15.

Eliminating Causes of Compost Odors. Alabama Cooperative Extension circular ANR-707

Composting and Plant Diseases. Alabama Cooperative Extension circular ANR-708.

Georgia Department of Community Affairs. Master Composter Handbook. Answers to Commonly Asked Composting Questions. pp. 46-49. 1996.

May, James. 1993. Yard Waste Compost Research Update.

Home Composting Education Program. 1995. Humboldt County Master Composter Training Manual. Composting With Worms . University of California Cooperative Extension.

Composting Structures

Compost Structures. San Francisco Recycling Program. 1145 Market St., Suite 401 , San Francisco , CA 94133 .

Health and Safety Precautions

Richard, Tom. 1992. Municipal Yard Waste Composting Operator’s Fact Sheet #9: Health and Safety Precautions. Cornell Cooperative Extension.

Using Compost

Benton, Craig and Gage, Jeffrey and Stenn, Howard and Woestendiek, Carl. Master Composter Resource Manual. Community Composting Education Program. Seattle , Washington . Compost Uses. p. 33. 1990.

Mitchell, C.C. and Flynn, R.P. Alabama Cooperative Extension Service/ Auburn University circular ANR-701. Compost as a Fertilizer.

Mitchell, C.C. Alabama Cooperative Extension Service/ Auburn University circular ANR-702. Compost as a Soil Amendment.

Gilliam, C.H. Alabama Cooperative Extension Service/ Auburn University circular ANR-703. Compost as a Potting Soil.