Transforming waste from the landfill into fertilizers rich in nutrients is an excellent choice. Along with all the other composting materials can we compost corn cobs too? The answer is yes, Corn Cobs are compostable. However, composting corn cobs at home is a tricky process but don’t worry, you can do this with little effort and tips.
If you are wondering whether the harvesting or composting of the corn cobs is the possible way, keep reading this article until the end. This guide contains information on the ways to compost corn cobs into beneficial compost. In addition, step-by-step guidance to create a suitable environment for cobs to decompose is provided.
Can Corn Cobs be Composted
The answer is yes, corn cobs are good for composting. This is an easy and useful way to utilize corn cobs in compost piles. They decompose quickly because they are odorless and food waste. The best thing about them is that they are not sugary or sweet, so they do not attract flies, ants, or other pests.
The corn cobs help your compost pile with good aeration and keep the pile healthy. They also provide beneficial nutrients and air pockets to your compost pile. Composting the rotten corn cobs is also possible; if you have rotten corn cobs at home and are going to throw them away, then don’t do it.
You can use the rotten corn cobs to compost as they are ideal to use for the compost pile. If they are rotten, they already die and will take less time to decompose.
Can Cooked Corn Cobs be Composted
Cooked Corn Cobs are a better choice for composting than uncooked ones. Corn is one of the tastiest meals, you can use it in many ways. However, only its kernels are edible instead of its whole body. So, the question is, what will you do with the cooked cobs? If you have cooked cobs at home, you might wonder the way to use them.
You can compost those cobs in the garden’s compost or the compost bin, both suit them. Cooked corn cobs retain moisture from the cooking process, which is beneficial for successful composting. Corn cobs are a delicious meal, but most of their part is a waste. In addition, the cooked corn cobs decompose faster than the uncooked ones.
The corn cobs have air pockets that provide aeration to the other compost materials, helping them to decompose faster. The point is that the cooked corn cobs are more robust than the uncooked cobs.
How Long Does it Take for Corn Cobs to Compost
Corn cobs are biodegradable, so there is no need to worry about them, they decompose quickly but take some time. The decompose process of corn cobs is initiated and sped up by moisture, air, and heat. They all work together to break down corn cobs into the compost.
When the compost breaks down, you can use it as fertilizer in your garden or for the compost pile at home. Generally, it takes 6 months to a whole year for whole corn cobs to decompose. However, chopped or smaller cut pieces of cobs take less time to decompose generally 3 to 4 months.
But there are some ways to speed up this decomposition process. e.g. a hot compost pile, having high temperatures with proper management, accelerates the decomposition process. The chopped cobs get ready in 2-3 months in a hot compost pile.
Advantages Of Composting Corn Cobs
Composting the corn cobs is an environmentally friendly and healthy method that restores the plants’ health and nutrients. Composting corn cobs brought various advantages. Some of them are enlisted below:
- As composting wastes remove extra landfills and create space, so composting millions of corn cobs together is beneficial. However, composting a large number of corn cobs together ends up in landfills that acquire space.
- Corn compost is the best fertilizer for farms and gardens because it contains a lot of carbon, fiber, and nitrogen.
- Each part of the corn is biodegradable because it is odorless, will not affect or pollute the environment, and will not create a mess.
- Corn cobs let the microorganisms participate in the composting because they provide the growing bed.
- Making corn compost will enhance soil quality and improve the product’s texture.
- Corn cobs help aerate the compost pile after break down, they provide air pockets that allow oxygen to circulate throughout the pile.
- Cooked Corn Cobs retain moisture in the compost pile. However, to maintain the balance of wet and dry is a must.
- As the corn cobs acquire a longer time in the decomposition process as compared to the other materials, hence soil amendment for a longer time. In this decomposition process, corn cobs continuously nourish your plants for a longer time.
Drawbacks Of Composting Corn Cobs
There are also some drawbacks to composting the corn cobs, here are some of them:
- If the corn cobs are rotten or dried, they can cause methane gas in the compost due to anaerobic respiration.
- The leftover corn cobs on the landfill will produce a lot of carbon dioxide that will not be beneficial for the environment.
- The acidity of the compost pile is sometimes increased by the corn cobs, which is not beneficial for all plants.
- As the corn cobs are bigger, they can take up extra space in the compost piles. Hence, no proper space left for other materials in the compost pile.
- If by any chance corn cobs are left on the main surface of your compost pile, they are an open invitation to many animals.
Can Corn Husks be Composted
Many people question, Can you compost corn husks? Well, of course, you can. It is a good addition to your compost pile and breaks down faster than the Corn Cobs. Corn husks took less time to break as compared to corn cobs because of their texture and structure. Corn husks act like natural fertilizers for plants and soil.
They provide nutrients like potassium and phosphorus to your compost pile and enrich the end product for your plants. Husks contains a fibrous nature that helps aerate the compost pile. You can compost them with the corn cobs, if green, they are fresh for the garden. You will not always get the fresh corn husks, but you can also compost the brown ones. They will go into the compost pile and decompose faster than the corn cobs.
How to Compost Corn Cobs and Husks
The main goal of composting is to protect the home from waste and pollution and add leftovers to the garden or compost. The detailed and effective compost methods for the corn cobs and corn husks are mentioned below:
1. Chop Up the Cobs And Husks
To start the composting process of corn cobs and husks, first, cut and shred them into smaller sizes or pieces. They can also add unchopped in the compost, however, they should take longer to decompose in the soil. So, if you want the corn husks or cobs to decompose quickly in the compost, then breaking them into smaller pieces is better. The larger or bigger the corn cobs are, the more time they will take to decompose.
2. Add In the Correct Ratio Of Balancing Ingredients
The compost must have a 4:1 ratio of brown to green ingredients. If the corn cobs or husks are too green, the compost will be too wet, which will cause a foul smell and attract microbes and other insects to the pile. If the corn husks or cobs are too brown, the compost will be too dry, and the breakdown process will become too slow. A good moisture level will be perfect for composting to encourage decomposition.
3. Turn And Tend
Turn the compost regularly for effective decomposition of these cobs and husks, after adding them in the correct compost ratio. The compost will get fresh air due to the turning, increasing the heat and faster decomposition. For outdoor compost piles, use high-quality compost which is comfortable enough to hold the material for 24/7 days. The ideal temperature for composting hot piles is from 90 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. This high temperature promotes microbial activity to break down the organic materials.
Advantages Of Composting Corn Husks
There are various benefits to composting corn husks, some of them are:
- Using fresh corn husks will add moisture to the compost, which will help the microorganisms to digest the material.
- The fresh husks of corn provide useful and rich nutrients for your compost pile. These nutrients will later ignite the decomposition process of the corn husks.
- Dry corn husks provide carbon to your compost pile which is also beneficial for compost. However, ensure the proper nitrogen balance of your compost pile.
- Drying the husks before composting brings many benefits, as they absorb all the extra moisture from the compost, making them suitable for plants.
- Compost corn husks increase the nutrient levels of compost piles and improve soil quality.
- Composting corn husks is an environment-friendly way to remove waste from the environment.
Drawbacks Of Composting Corn Husks
Composting corn husks comes with a few limitations that can turn them disadvantageous. Below are a few disadvantages of composting corn husks:
- If you want faster decomposition of the corn husks, first cut or shred them. However, it is very time-consuming. You have to give a lot of time to its cutting, which will decompose faster than imagined.
- The leftover husks after a gathering may overfill the space of your compost pile leaving less space for other materials.
- Too wet or moist corn husks may result in fungal or white mold growth that can produce harmful methane gas in the compost pile.
Conclusion
The composting of corn cobs and husks to convert them into a nutrient-rich fertilizer for your plants is quite a simple process. The addition of corn husks and corn cobs in your compost pile works as a boost for your garden soil and is a good way to reduce waste. This article explores the detailed procedure and tips for composting corn cobs and husks. However, first, check the pros and cons of the composting of corn cobs and husks. With complete knowledge and understanding of the benefits of composting corn cobs, you can keep your garden healthy.
FAQs
1. Can we Compost Corn Cobs and Husks?
Yes, corn cobs and husks both are easily compostable materials. However, the composting of corn cobs takes longer time than composting corn husks. The advantage of composting corn cobs is that they provide additional composting purposes even before decomposition.
2. What Are the Ingredients You Must Not Add In The Compost?
You must not add a few ingredients to the compost, including Styrofoam, bioplastics, plastic-coated products, dairy products, oil, cooked foods, and meat bones. If you want to add something to the compost, there are many ingredients that you can add to increase its nutritious power and ability.
3. How long does it take for corn husks and corn cobs to decompose?
The full corn cobs can take 8 months to a year to decompose, however, broken or sliced corn cobs take time of 3 to 4 months., chopped corn husks take 1 to 2 months to decompose and unchopped husks take time of 2 to 4 months.