The Low-Hassle Compost Method for Lazy Gardeners
Composting doesn’t need to be complicated! There are many different ways to recycle garden debris and kitchen scraps. Try this low-hassle compost method from certified lazy gardener Jerad Bryant.
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I am a little biased when it comes to composting and believe every homeowner, if they have the space, should compost. It diverts tons of waste from landfills and repurposes it into crumbly, rich soil.
Many myths surrounding compost prevent gardeners from completing the task. Maybe you heard that compost is smelly, or that it attracts rats and mice. This is not the case! Well-tended compost is pest-free, and it should have pleasant, earthy aromas, not rotten ones.
Or, perhaps you heard that composting is time-consuming and laborious. This can be true depending on the type of composting method you’re using. Busy gardeners should try cold composting, the low-maintenance lazy compost method that anyone can do.
What is Cold Compost?
So, what is cold composting? This lazy compost process relies on slow-working microbes and worms that eat the waste over time. It tends to stay cooler than hot compost, which is why it’s called cold compost. It’s great for gardeners with little time on their hands, or growers with more waste than they can handle.
Composting Basics
Cold compost and other methods rely on a variety of critters that convert large waste particles into smaller ones. Worms, bacteria, fungi, and fly larvae are some of the many living things inside a pile. Worms leave poop called castings, and microbes create humus.
To work, composting organisms need air, water, and food. Their food consists of “greens” and “browns.” Greens are nitrogen-rich, and browns are heavy in carbon. Traditional compost piles need a good balance of the two, with two-thirds browns and one-third greens.
Traditional compost also relies on turning with a pitchfork and regular watering. It’s labor-intensive and works quickly. Though it has its benefits, it requires more precise calculations than cold composting.
Cold vs. Hot Compost
With cold composting, all you have to do is make a pile and let it sit. That’s it! You may water it as often as you want or turn it occasionally, but you don’t have to.
The tradeoff between hot and cold compost is time. A lazy compost pile takes many months to work. Depending on the contents, it can take between three months to a year or longer to fully decompose. That is why this low-hassle method is for lazy gardeners. It’s not for the impatient ones!
Hot compost is different in every way. It needs a precise balance between greens and browns, regular watering, and frequent turning. It’s the opposite of low-hassle, making it more suitable for gardeners who have time to tend to their compost every day.
Other Composting Methods
Making a pile isn’t the only way to set up cold compost. Any method that’s low maintenance is another form of cold composting. Lay your waste in a trench, make layers of the stuff in new garden beds, or bury it deep underground.
Lasagna compost is one lazy alternative way to rely on cold processes. It involves digging out a square or rectangular shape, then laying alternative layers of greens and browns in the dug-out portion. At the end, you’ll add the dug soil back on top and let the area sit.
Trench composting is a similar process that relies on trenches instead of large areas. Dig a trench, add your waste, and bury it with soil. Underground microbes and worms will break it down into humus for your plants.
How to Make Cold Compost
Cold compost is the low-hassle compost method for lazy gardeners. It’s not complicated, and you can start a pile right now if you’d like. Collect your debris, prepare an area in the backyard, and get ready to start cold composting!
Gather Materials
First, you’ll need proper waste materials to set up a lazy compost pile. Most organic matter is compostable, though there are some materials you’ll want to leave out of the compost. Avoid putting dairy products, large chunks of meat, oils, and pet waste in the pile.
The best materials for composting are those that decompose naturally without attracting pests. These are some good ones to add:
- Fall leaves
- Paper products
- Coffee grounds
- Straw
- Coco coir
- Vegetable scraps
- Fruit peels
- Rotten produce
- Old leftovers
- Untreated wood
Make a Pile
A pile is the simplest way to set up a composting system, but it’s not the only way. You may make heaps, trenches, or piles depending on what your gardening goals are. A pile is easy and best for beginner composters.
Start by gathering all your materials into a heap. Collect them into an area three feet wide by three feet tall. Don’t make the compost smaller than this, as it won’t decay properly, but it’s okay to make it larger than three square feet.
After making the heap, cover it with a protective layer of soil or mulch. This will prevent pests from rummaging through it while it decays over time. It may take a while, and you don’t want animals disrupting the compost while it breaks down.
Turn. Or Don’t!
Turning is optional for lazy compost piles. The more often you turn, the quicker the waste will break down. Turning aerates the piles and redistributes the debris.
It’s best to turn the pile at least once a month. Bring the partially decomposed objects to the center, and move the fully broken down ones to the exterior. Cover the pile again with mulch or dirt if you plan on leaving it for some time.
Though it’s good to turn once a month, it’s not entirely necessary. The organic matter will take many months to decompose. Check on it after three months, then once a month thereafter to see if it’s ready to harvest.
Keep it Moist
Wet down your piles as often as you remember to. If that’s not low-hassle enough for you, consider building yours during the rainy season. The natural rains will wet them, so you don’t have to.
It’s not the end of the world if you don’t water cold piles at all. Simply set them in the shade so the sun doesn’t beat down on them. They’ll stay moist on their interiors where worms and microbes congregate.
Adding a cover on the top helps conserve moisture in the heaps. Use a large plastic pot, or place a tarp over the top and weigh it down with heavy rocks. Any protective cover that traps moisture will work.
Harvest!
And here comes the fun part! It’s time to think of how you’re going to use all your lazy compost. There are dozens of ways to apply it in the garden. Scatter it on the lawn, mulch your raised beds, or fill containers for planting.
Ready piles are nutrient-rich; they function as both fertilizer and mulch. Use them after they break down fully to top dress the soil in your raised beds and planters. Maintain a layer two to three inches thick to keep the underlying plant roots happy and healthy.
Parts of the piles may be ready while others are still decaying. You may harvest portions of them and leave the rest to decompose. The lower parts decay before the tops. Pull the upper parts back to reveal the crumbly mulch underneath.
Key Takeaways
- Low-hassle lazy compost methods are those that require no turning or watering.
- Making a pile is one way to do it, though you can bury debris in trenches, lasagna systems, or deep underground.
- No gardening method is truly no-hassle! Cold compost is low-hassle.
- If rodents are common in your area, don’t make piles. Bury the waste a foot deep instead.
- When it’s ready, use your finished product as a mulch and fertilizer. Cover beds, feed crops, and plant plants into it.
