Tips to Reduce Composting Time

Compost can take anywhere from 2 months to over a year, depending on how you manage the pile. However, there are various strategies that can be employed to reduce the overall time it can take:

1. Shred the Waste- Chopping and Breaking the Food increases the surface area which can accelerate decomposition. Use a lawnmower to chop up the greens.

2. Adding more Carbon Rich Material- These include leaf clippings, twigs, sawdust, and paper

3. Have a Compost Ratio of 4:1 brown to green materials

   Browns; Hay, dry leaves (avoid walnut and oak leaves), paper, cardboard, sawdust, straw, tea bags

   Greens: Coffee grounds (can acquire from coffee shops), fresh manure, grass clippings, plant cuttings, vegetable and fruit scraps

4. Insulation: For large compost piles, make sure they are insulated with hay or straw or with the use of insulated bins or a tarp. These bins or tarps can also keep the pre-compost warm during the winter.

5. Turning the Piles: This can create air pockets which avoid excess moisture and distribute heat