In 1998, the Department of Environment and Labour banned compostable organic waste from landfills, a progressive step that placed Nova Scotia as a world leader in composting.

30-50% of our garbage is organic material such as food scraps, garden waste, and soiled non-recycled paper. Composting is the recycling of these materials into a valuable soil enhancement that improves plant and root growth. Compost can be used in vegetable and flower gardens, as a top-dressing, for lawns and fields, in tree planting, and even for household plants.

Food waster contains over 50% water, which is released when it decomposes. If landfilled, this waste can combine with rain water and collect contaminants when it comes into contact with garbage. This liquid, known as leachate, could pollute neighbouring ground water, lakes, and rivers. Also, organic material frequently decomposes without air in landfills, and produces methane, a gas that contributes to global warning. By composting your organic materials, you are helping to reduce these environmental risks and conserve landfill space!

Every year, over 100,000 tonnes of organic material are diverted from disposal in Nova Scotia landfills through green cart programs, backyard composting, and other composting programs. All municipalities support green cart and/or backyard composting programs, and there are currently 18 central compost facilities operating in Nova Scotia under rigid environmental regulations. Over 250 people are employed in the composting industry in the province, in jobs such as collectors of organic waster, employees at composting facilities, distributors of compost and composters, and waster reduction educators.

For the environmental and economic good of Nova Scotia, compost -- everyone benefits!

Compost Benefits the Environment

Compost contains an organic material called humus which assists the soil in holding nutrients. Humus lessens the need for chemical fertilizers and helps prevent leaching of nitrogen into ground water. Humus-rich soil also promotes healthy plants which are less susceptible to diseases and insect pests. This can reduce the need for chemical pesticides.

Compost reduces erosion by improving soil structure. Better drainage allows water to flow into lower soil layers, rather than puddle on top and run off. Improved soil structure also helps the growth of roots which hold soil in place. Finally, compost recycles garden wastes to benefit the environment.

USING COMPOST

Container Gardening
Compost can be used to make a good container-gardening medium. First, strain the compost through a sieve to eliminate large particles. Then mix two parts compost, one part garden loam, and one part perlite or sand. Add a table-spoon each of phosphate and potash for each pot of mixture. You can also substitute compost for peat moss in other suggested potting mixtures.

Vegetable and Flower Gardening
If you produce large amounts of compost, spread about 2 inches over your entire garden annually and work it 6 to 8 inches into the soil. More than 2 inches at one time may encourage grubs. As an alternative to compost, you can till 3 to 4 inches of shredded, uncomposted leaves into your garden or flower bed in the fall. The leaves will decompose during winter and enrich the soil.

If your supply of compost is small, use it with transplants. Dig the hole for your transplant and mix a trowel of compost into the backfill. The compost will loosen the soil for the young plant's roots and also provide it with micronutrients.

Compost is not as effective for a mulch, as weed seed tends to grow rapidly in it.

Intensive Gardening
The purpose of intensive gardening is to harvest the most produce possible from a given space. The key to its success is fertile soil, high in organic matter. Humus-rich compost holds extra nutrients in the soil that might otherwise be leached out. It provides food for earthworms and beneficial microorganisms, and allows for deep root penetration, permitting closer spacing of plants.

Raised beds are basic to intensive gardening. You can create a raised bed by first mixing 2 inches of compost with the top 6 to 8 inches of garden soil. Then build beds by mounding soil from the pathways into raised beds approximately 8 to 12 inches high and 3 to 4 feet wide. Heavily mulch the pathways with wood chips to eliminate weeds. Repeat this every year. Or build wooden frames around the beds to make them permanent and enrich the contained soil with compost annually.

Shrubs and Trees
Add compost to the soil around your shrubs and trees. In late spring, place about 1 inch of compost around the plants. Cover this with a mulch of shredded pine needles, straw, bark chips, or leaves 2 to 3 inches deep. The humic acid from the compost and decomposing mulch will penetrate the soil and change its structure. This will improve the moisture retention, aeration, and fertility of the soil around your trees and shrubs.

Turf
Incorporating compost into soil is an excellent way to establish or renovate a lawn. Spread about 2 inches of compost over the planned lawn area. Till this into the soil before laying turf or planting grass seed. Do not spread compost on an established lawn, however, as this may contribute to thatch buildup. Too much thatch can lead to disease, insect problems, and temperature and drought stress.