LOCATIONS:
East: 4602 Sycamore Av
West:
1501 W. Badger Rd.
HOURS: Offices are open
Monday - Friday
7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. EMAIL:Streets
PHONE:
East: 608/ 246-4532
West: 608/266-4681
TEXT NET: 866/704-2315
Home Composting
The City of Madison and Dane County will host a Home Compost Bin sale on Saturday May 1, 2010 at the Alliant Energy Center. Check back for more details in the February.
How To Compost
Composting is a great way to keep organic material out of the waste stream.
It saves tax dollars and provides you with a valuable soil additive.
Composting is easy to do if you follow a few simple guidelines:
1. Use a bin. A simple wire enclosure will do. A bin keeps your pile neat and helps retain heat and moisture, two key elements of the compost process. For plans for building your own compost bin... http://backyardgardener.com/compost/index.html You may also wish to purchase a ready made bin. The City of Madison hosts a compost bin sale every spring. Details of this sale will be posted on this web page as soon as they are available. You can also purchase bins on line. A good resource is http://www.composters.com/
2. The key to a good working compost pile is a balance of green materials, such as grass clippings or food waste that is high in nitrogen and brown material, such as leaves, that are high in carbon. A good rule of thumb is to maintain a 50-50 ratio by weight of green and brown material.
3. If you are going to compost kitchen waste, bury the material 6-12 below the surface. This keeps flies away from your pile. Compost only vegetable and fruit waste.
Do not compost meat, fats, gravy or pet waste.
4. Don't forget moisture. A compost pile should be damp so be sure to add water to dry material as you build your pile. Don't over water. Materials should be as damp as a wrung out sponge.
A How To Compost Video: (You will need to have RealPlayer to watch the video, if you do not have RealPlayer, click to download )
To learn more about how to set-up a compost pile, please watch the following video:
Please click on the play button to start video
Building a Compost Pile:
5th layer: Repeat steps 2-4 until the bin is almost full. Top off the heap with a layer of leaves or straw and scoop out a "basin" at the top to catch rainwater.
4th layer: 1" of soil serves as an inoculate by adding microorganisms to the pile.
3rd layer: 4"-8" of "brown" material, such as leaves. Add water as needed.
2nd layer: 3"-6" of "green" material, such as grass clippings, food waste, or fresh plant waste.
1st layer: 3"-4" of chopped brush or other coarse material on top of the soil surface allows air circulation around the base of the heap.
Maintaining Your Compost Pile: A properly made compost pile will reach temperatures of 140-160 degrees F in four or five days. At this time you'll notice the pile "settling," a good sign that your pile is composting properly. After 4 or 5 weeks, turn the pile, putting material from the outside of the pile into the center of the new pile. Add water if necessary. You shouldn't need to turn your heap a second time. Your compost should be ready in 3 to 4 months.
