Passive Composting

When we first started composting we started by passive composting. We would just throw our food scraps into a planter box and every so often turn the dirt in the box. I am still amazed at how well passive composting works. Our raspberries sure do love it!

We have since moved to active composting but during the winter months we still feed our passive composting pile for our spring planting.

I thought that I would share some info with you about this easy and affective method of composting!

What is passive composting?

• Piling yard trimmings and organic household waste in a pile somewhere in your yard and letting it rot.
• The passive part refers to the minimal human intervention.

Does passive composting work?

• Yes!
• Compost created from passive composting is just as good for the soil as compost produced from active composting.

What are the downside to passive composting vs active composting?

• Takes a longer time to produce compost
• Produces less compost
• Tends to smell

How do I start Passive Composting?

• Take grass clippings, leafs, and weeds and pile them up in your yard
• Dump your organic kitchen scraps (no meat, grease, processed food) onto the pile
• Leave it alone

Are there little things I can do to speed up the composting?

• Occasionally add handfuls of dirt to the pile
• Chop up the waste before putting it on the pile
• Occasionally turn the pile
• In the spring add composting worms to the pile

Passive composting is an easy way to recycle your household organic waste and your yard waste and best of all, it works!

Are you an active or passive composter?