Whether tilled into the soil or used as mulch, compost is a key ingredient of any healthy garden soil. For the unacquainted, compost is a mixture of decomposed organic matter usually used to fertilize and improve the general soil profile.
That said, when it comes to composting, you want to make sure all that goes into your compost bin are recommended compostable materials.
So, can you put straw in your compost bin? Yes, straw can go into your compost bin or pile. However, it is not recommended to make compost from straw alone.
If you are a beginner gardener starting a compost bin or building a compost bale, this post will cover more on straw, emphasizing whether or not to put in your compost.
What is straw?
At its core, straw is what remains after the seeds and grains of cereal plants have been harvested, which mainly comprises the stalks. However, it should not be confused with hay, which is a crop (various types of grass) grown, cut, and dried for use as feed for cattle and other farm animals.
Straw is usually gathered and stored in bales and has a number of uses, including fuel, barnyard animals’ bedding, thatching, basket making, and fodder. It is also used as a construction material in some parts of the world.
Can you compost straw?
There are a few rules regarding what to put into your compost, and straw is one of the valuable organic materials you can put into your compost bin or pile. Straw decomposes relatively quickly, and even if you don’t want to introduce it directly into your compost, you can use baled straw to build an environmentally friendly compost bin.
In composting language, straw is a “brown” (carbon-rich), so it will decompose in a well-maintained compost bin. Precisely, it needs to be mixed with fresher greens and vegetables to maintain carbon-nitrogen balance and ensure the compost doesn’t get too dry.
Decaying straw also attracts earthworms and other beneficial organisms that feed on the straw and other compost materials, helping speed up decomposition.
When choosing straw that will go into your compost bin, make sure not to use contaminated straw. Most commercially grown straw will have been treated with chemical sprays, so avoid it. On the other hand, small-scale farmers who grow their own cereal plants will likely have an untreated straw. If you have straw that has been soiled by animals, you can use it to make compost. Just make sure that the straw was bedding for an herbivore.
When used as a compost component, straw not only releases carbon needed but also helps trap air inside the pile.
Other uses of straw
Straw is recyclable and incredibly versatile in the garden. Here are some uses of straw:
- Mulching
- Constructing an eco-friendly compost bin
- Soils amendment to improve the structure
- Controlling soil erosion
- Bedding for ruminants and horses
- Gardening — Straw bale gardening — among gardeners with small gardening space.
What else can go into the compost bin
There are plenty of organic materials that you can go into your compost bin or pile. These include leaves, sawdust, shrub pruning, grass clippings, hay, and other garden residues.
Can I put straw in my compost bin: Conclusion
Straw is an excellent ingredient for your compost bin and will break down no matter your style of composting.
Whether you use hot or cold composting, it is advisable to keep pieces smaller for quicker composting. Of significance, remember to turn the compost pile regularly and add moisture if it is running dry.
Related article: Can Weeds Be Composted?