The Mercer Educational Gardens is the only one of its kind in Mercer County. Its purpose is to teach backyard composting techniques to the residents of Mercer County. There are over 20 different compost bins available for your viewing pleasure. Some can be purchased, but many can be made at home with common materials. We also plant and maintain several display gardens with various plant collections, featuring native plants which are both deer and drought tolerant.

 

What is compost?

Composting is a natural process where organic materials decompose and are recycled into a dark, crumbly, earthy-smelling soil conditioner known as "compost." Compost improves soil structure and moisture retention, and contributes to healthy plant growth by providing plants with nutrients.

Why should I Compost?

Uses for compost

Mulch: Spread compost around flower and vegetable plantings, trees, shrubs, and on exposed slopes. This will smother weeds, keep plant roots moist, and prevent soil erosion.
Soil Conditioner: Mix 1 to 3 inches of compost into vegetable and flower beds before planting. This helps build or maintain soil organic matter.
Potting Mix: Make your own mix by using equal parts of compost and sand or soil. Make sure compost is fully de-
composed and screened.

Composting can save money

Composting helps the environment

Composting benefits your soil and plants

Composting is simple

You already have the ingredients

Do Not put the following in your pile
High nitrogen (green):
flowers
weeds
grass clippings
vegetable food scraps		 High carbon (brown):
coffee grounds with filters
dried leaves
saw dust and wood chips
branches		 foods with grease or oil residue
diseased or insect infested plants
meat scraps or bones
weeds with seed heads
dog or cat feces

 

Keys to good compost

Water: The micro-organisms in the compost pile need water to live. Water as needed to maintain compost as moist as a wrung-out sponge. Don’t let the pile dry out completely.

Nutrients: The microorganisms in the pile need carbon and nitrogen to survive and accomplish a biological breakdown of organic matter. A good balance can be achieved by mixing one or two parts of nitrogen-rich green materials such as grass clippings, with one part of carbon-rich brown materials such as leaves. However, carbon-rich leaves by themselves will compost, but at a slower rate.

Aeration: To speed decomposition, turn the pile using a pitchfork. This provides the micro-organisms with enough oxygen to thrive so they can heat up the compost. Placing large branches at the bottom of the pile will also help add air to the pile. Minimal turning would be at least once per month and less frequently during the winter.

Surface area: The more surface area the microorganisms have to work on, the faster the materials will decompose. Consider chopping materials, particularly brush or branches which have a diameter of ¼ inch or more. Pile size is important. For quicker decomposition, the pile should be at least 3 feet X 3 feet to hold the heat of microbial activity, but not so large (larger than 5 feet X 5 feet) that air can’t reach microbes at the center of the pile.

 

How long will it take to make compost?

SLOW HARVEST: Ready in 12 to 18 months

Made by adding layers of available yard waste over several months.

  1. Set compost bin where it will get rain.
  2. Put yard waste in bin as it is generated in your yard. The material at the bottom and in the center will compost first.

 

FAST HARVEST: Ready in 5 to 15 weeks

Made by mixing equal weights of green and brown materials at once.

  1. Mix green materials such as grass clippings or vegetable scraps with brown materials such as leaves (no woody-type materials should be included). Cut into small pieces.
  2. Add water to pile to moisten the pile throughout.
  3. Turn pile with a pitch fork or compost aerator tool twice a week for faster compost production (less often in cold weather).

Helpline Number: 609-989-6853