Simplicity

• Mulching the yard waste is a form of simple composting because the material decomposes directly into the ground. Piling organic material over gardens can provide compost material for the garden without much maintenance.
  
  

Limitations

• Compost should not be used for starter plants or transplanted vegetation because of the low tolerance to disease and bacteria. Yard waste that has been treated with pesticides has the potential to transfer residue from the pesticides into the compost.
  
  

Stability

• Compost stability refers to the speed of decomposition occurring within the compost pile. If the outer visible layer of the pile is 15 degrees higher than the ambient air around it, the compost process is moving too fast thereby loosing nutrients.
  
  

Maturity

• Compost maturity refers to the amount of time the compost pile has been processing organic material. Compost needs between 60 to 90 days minimum to complete the process, although optimal ranges are between 90 to 120 days after the initial start of the process.
  
  

Fun Facts

• An average household produces 600 pounds of compostable yard waste yearly. Compostable material makes up 20 percent of a community's residential waste.