Questions and answers

Will a compost site attract rats or dogs?

Not if it is maintained in the right way. Don't deposit meat, fat or large amounts of protein food like cheese.
Another way to eliminate this problem is to use a closed compost bin so rodents and other animals can't enter.

Does a compost pile produce foul odors?

Only a pile that is too wet produces odor. Another source of odor are food scraps that aren't buried into the compost or covered with straw, sawdust or leaves.

Doesn't all the organic yard waste compost in the landfill?

No. Due to lots of other materials, chemicals and missing ventilation, microorganisms can't exist in a landfill. Even if composting should take place, the resulting compost would be poisoned and mixed with the other waste, just adding to the misery of the landfill.

When I leave my grass clippings on the yard, will the lawn then die?

The lawn will generally gain nutrients and ground humidity from grass clippings that compost on its roots. Of course, the grass clippings must be small enough. Using a mulching lawnmover is of great help. And just let your lawn grow 1/3 to 1/2 of an inch taller than you do now - you'll see the grass clipping mulch will disapper within it.

Will my neighbours be bothered by a compost site in my yard?

Not if they know what is going on in it. If you maintain it in a way that it doesn't produce odors, they surely won't mind. Just tell them about the fertility and the landfill space you safe and invite them to dump their food scraps and yard clippings in your compost site if they don't want to maintain their own.

Does a composter atract insects?

Sure it does. Insects are part of the composting process. Tiny bugs, flies and other members of nature's composting force will show up at your composter to eat from the material. Just don't put the composter under your kitchen window, and they won't bother you because they prefer the compost. On the other hand, if your yard isn't big enough to put the composter up in a sufficient distance, use a closed compost bin and insects can't get to the compost.

Aren't there lots of bacteria out in a compost pile?

Yes, there are - the ones that compost. They're exactly the same ones as they are in your lawn, autumn leaves, forest soil and humid turf. They are not harmful to humans, they simply compost dead material. They're already there when you decide to put up a compost site.

Didn't I hear my cousin's friend talk about city ordinances that put restrictions on composting?

If so, she was wrong. There is no special law or ordinance for composting. The usual health precautions and a possible impact on your neighbours are all you have to consider.