ParkTalk Blog: The Benefits of Composting

Tuesday, October 29, 2024

What Is Composting?

Composting is the managed, biological decomposition process of recycling organic materials into natural fertilizer. Organic materials, such as fresh food waste and yard trimmings, are layered in a compost bin and broken down into a biologically-stable soil amendment which can be used to improve soil health, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and eliminate waste in our landfills. Soil amendments are products added to the soil to improve its overall condition. Examples of soil amendments include composts, wood products, pumpkins, manure and synthetic fertilizers. Synthetic fertilizers are beneficial for accelerating plant growth over a short period of time, however using natural fertilizers is generally healthier for the soil and the planet in the long term. While they can provide rapid growth to plants, chemical fertilizers can be harmful to the soil and the environment if used incorrectly. 

 

Illustration depicting the life cycle of a compost fertilizer from thinkport.org.

There are several types of composting, but the two most common practices are cold and hot composting. They are classified as “cold” and “hot” because one produces heat as it decomposes and the other does not. The heat produced from hot composts is a by-product of the microbial breakdown of organic material. Heat production depends on a variety of factors, including the size of the pile, its moisture content, and the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio. For optimal results, hot composts need to stay at a temperature of 130 to 140 degrees and have a fine balance of carbon-rich materials, or “browns,” and nitrogen-rich materials, or “greens.” The ratio is two parts brown material to one part green. Below are examples of different browns and greens that can be included in compost piles:

Nitrogen-Rich Materials ("Greens")

Carbon-Rich Materials ("Browns")

Fruit and vegetable scraps Dry Leaves
Grass clippings Plant stalks and twigs
Coffee grounds and paper filters Shredded paper (non-glossy, uncolored) and shredded brown bags
Paper tea bags (no staples) Shredded cardboard (no wax coating, tape, or glue)
Eggshells (crushed) Untreated wood chips

While the process is much faster, hot composting requires multiple steps and overseen with great attention to detail. It needs to be managed and mixed like a recipe with an accurate ratio of materials, proper balance of air and water, and maintained temperature control. When done properly, it can take as little as a month, depending on the season, to create a dark, crumbly and earth scented fertilizer, devoid of most weed seeds, plant diseases, eggs, larva and more.

Compared to hot composting, cold composting is a much simpler method. However, it takes longer to obtain useable compost. The process involves layering the organic materials and letting it break down naturally over time. In some cases, the material can be simply left on the ground and exposed to the elements. While this method is slower and can take between 6-24 months to produce usable fertilizer, it involves minimal effort and can generate large quantities of fertilizer.

How the Naperville Park District Composts

As environmental leaders in the community, the Naperville Park District practices cold composting across its parks and facilities. Organic materials like shredded leaves, pumpkins and manure are utilized to nurture the soil. Leaves are the most abundant organic material at the Park District’s disposal. As they fall throughout autumn, leaves are collected from the Riverwalk and brought to the Ron Ory Community Garden Plots to be mulched and composted. Similarly, the Parks Department mulches leaves on site with mowers and use them to fertilize park landscape. Over at Springbrook and Naperbrook Golf Courses, leaves are collected and mulched mainly in the roughs, which incorporates the organic matter into the existing soil. Compost is created at both courses on-site and used as a soil amendment in renovated areas where new grass needs to be fertilized.

Park District golf staff composting leaves on-site at one of the District's golf courses.

For gardeners at the Ron Ory Community Garden Plots, the Park District offers a limited supply of soil amendments for their flower and vegetable plots. The natural amendments offered are pine mulch from Christmas trees, leaf mulch from parks, and manure picked up from area horse farms. These amendments are available on a first come, first served basis and are only offered to gardeners who are currently renting a garden plot. 

The Park District also hosts an annual composting event called Pumpkin Smash. Every year after Halloween, residents bring their decorative pumpkins and carved jack-o-lanterns to the Garden Plots and smash them into the soil. Pumpkins are made up of nearly 90% water and fiber, and they contain an abundance of nutrients that help plants grow. Those elements seep into the ground as they decompose, nourishing the soil while keeping rotting pumpkins out of landfills. The 2024 Pumpkin Smash is set for Saturday, November 9, from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., so save your jack-o-lanterns for composting! For more information, visit www.napervilleparks.org/pumpkinsmash

 

Weighing pumpkins at the 2023 Pumpkin Smash.

Benefits of Composting at Home

Composting is a practice anyone can do at home to improve their own gardens. The majority of the materials needed for a homemade compost bin can be found around the house or in the trash. Household garbage is made up of 30% food scraps and yard waste on average, and building your own compost can transform that waste into a beneficial soil amendment. It is one of the most effective actions we can take to manage waste more sustainably, combat climate change and build healthy soil in our backyards. Along with the environmental benefits, building your own composts can save money since creating free soil amendments reduces the need to purchase fertilizer and pesticides. Composting involves minimal effort, equipment, expense or expertise, and it can be a fun and educational activity for your whole family. 

There is an abundance of resources available online to help you get started with composting at home. One excellent resource is the University of Illinois’ College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences Extension page at https://extension.illinois.edu/composting; it includes information about how composting works, step-by-step instructions on beginning your own compost and additional troubleshooting tips.

 

Stock image of a backyard compost.