There are several composting methods with various techniques, effort, and expense. It is important to choose the composting technique that suits your needs and lifestyle best. Before we describe each of methods there are common factors to consider as you make your decision. Finding your personal balance between cost, yard size, amount of waste generated, and appearance is important. Do you have money to spend or are you on a budge? Are you in an apartment, a small neighborhood, or on a large lot? Do you generate a lot of yard waste, kitchen waste, or both? How will the compost bin appearance work for you? A large pile has a vastly different look compared to a clean holding unit.

With all the decisions in mind, let’s look a little further into each of the composting methods.

Heaps

Compost heaps are simply a pile of waste. A compost heap will generate heat internally as the materials decompose. As the pile decomposes it will flatten and widen. Heaps are not contained and turning a heap is optional.

Holding Unit

Using a holding bin is one of the simplest forms of composting. Many of the commercial units available or are type of holding unit. Holding units can be a wire mesh compost hoop, a square slatted compost bin, a permanent cement unit, and many other forms. Holding units can be filled and left alone to decompose. Generally, the material on the bottom will decompose first because it is commonly added first. The impatient composter might turn the compost by emptying and filling the holding bin on a regular basis. Technically this is no longer a true holding unit. This brings us to the turning unit. Some holding units are capable of being stored indoors (yes even in an apartment).

Turning Unit

A turning unit comes in two main forms. The simplest form is one or more “holding units” that are filled and moved regularly. The other form is a bin that rotates in some manner. The bin may rotate on a base or around an axis with a turning handle. Either way, the benefits of turning compost helps the waste decompose much faster. The aerated waste create a better environment for microbes to do their job. A closed turning compost bin also helps maintain heat making the process more efficient.

Soil Incorporation

Soil incorporation is also known as sheet composting or trench composting. This composting method mixes waste directly into the soil before it is composted. Over time the waste decomposes creating a rich soil. Sheet composting is spreading a layer of compost and mixing it in the garden. Trench composting is digging a trench, layering kitchen waste, and covering the waste with 8 or more inches of dirt. In the next season plants are set directly above the trench and benefit from the decomposed waste underneath.

Worm Composting

Worm Composting is a container filled with bedding, food, and moisture. The worm composting takes more supervision, but it can produce very high quality compost faster than most methods. Worm composting is building and maintaining a live worm habitat. The size of the worm bin depends on the amount of kitchen waste produced and the amount of space available. Worm composting must be kept at a moderate temperature and can be done indoors.

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