Passive Composting

If yard trimmings are left to accumulate in a pile for extended periods of time, they begin to enter the realm of composting. The simplest compost piles are increasingly larger mounds of organic trimmings that are left to sit and rot over time.

For some people, these “passive-compost” piles are largely a backyard disposal system. Even the most passive composter eventually finds themselves with “compost” and will put it to use growing plants.

Once they do, they inevitably see the benefits of compost in soil texture, water-holding capacity and plant growth. Many of these passive-composting individuals gradually become active composters as they desire more compost or compost more quickly.

Studies have shown that most householders practice the “let-it-sit” sort of passive pile. Passive piles are the layer-in-the-bin systems recommended by most composting books. The best thing about passive piles is that they really do work! Compost happens even if we do little to assist the process.

How to Start

Purchase a bin (an enclosed plastic one if possible), and let your pile lie. That is all there is to passive composting. Rainfall, earthworms and nature can be left to do their work and will eventually decompose virtually any organic material fairly well.

Passive composting piles can take many forms. Some are piles in the corner, most use a bin of some sort, and others use mounds of organic materials as a means of filling in low areas.

Once started, keep in mind that there is some wisdom in the practice of just letting sleeping piles lie. Moistened passive compost piles can be quite odorous if disturbed before their time. However, if the pile is never turned, there is little need to worry about odor.

Why Active?

Some chose passive composting because of the need for space. The desire to concentrate organic materials in a controlled area and a need to process materials quickly in a nuisance-free manner often leads people to build active compost piles that require regular tending.

People should feel encouraged to be creative and experiment within the bounds of neighborly cooperation.

Most plastic bins have a door at the bottom where dark crumbly compost can be removed at the same rate that fresh table scraps and yard trimmings are placed on the top. Compost produced from passive piles is just as beneficial for the soil as is compost from active piles.