Home Composting

Compost is a term for organic matter that has decomposed into a form that plants can use. Compost can be used in potting mixes or mixed in with garden soil. It has many benefits for your plants and recycles materials that may otherwise be thrown into landfills. Though composting bins are available for purchase, methods described in this fact sheet rely on materials from your garden, kitchen, and, if needed, a few items from your garden center. To be sure that compost is available for spring planting, start your compost pile in the fall while cleaning up your garden and preparing it for winter. The compost pile goes dormant during the winter, but it will begin to decompose again when air temperatures increase above 50ºF. Another pile can also be started in the spring for fall planting. Composting is a procedure that is relatively simple and very rewarding if done correctly.

For more information, please visit this Penn State Fact Sheet

Penn State Horticulture Department

Also see Backyard Composting in PA.

Composting - Research & Cooperative Extension

For more information on this subject, Please visit the College of Agricultural Sciences Publications Web site.

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