Composting
- 1. Composting
- 2. • What is composting ? Composting is a natural process that turns organic materials into a dark substance. This substance called humus, is a wonderful conditioner for soil. ADVANTAGES Healthier plants; Organic matter is known as the soul of the healthy soil. Adding compost to yard and garden will help to plant to grow bigger and better. The organic matter in compost helps soil hold on to nutrients and water, benefiting plants while reducing the risk of pollution. Money saving; Using compost as a soil conditioner reduces need to purchase these lawn and garden products. Composting in backyard reduces trash removal costs. Many sanitation companies charges customers by bag. Compost bin could decrease the number of bags that household generates. Composting is practical and convenient. COMPOSTING
- 3. Composting is a good alternative to land fillings or incinerating convenient. Yard and garden waste account for almost 20% of the total amount of trash thrown away each year. Compost reduces the need to burn or bury the organic material and increase the quality of our precious topsoil. What should compost ? Anything that was once alive can be composted, certain items are best to left out of the home composting system. When selecting material for compost pile, avoid: Waste that attracts pests. Diseased / Insect ridden plants, fatty food items, such as; meat or cheese, should be avoided since they can attracts rodents, dogs ,cat, flies and other pests. Cat and dog wastes should not be added because they can spread certain diseases. Leave out plants that are heavily diseased or pest infected.
- 4. What should be used in compost pile? What’s in? GREENS ( High in nitrogen) BROWNS(High in carbon) Grass clipping leaves Fruits and vegetables Bark Manure e.g. cow, horse, pig, chicken, Straw Or rabbit. Kitchen scrap: e.g. stale bread, egg shells, Woodchips Tea bags, citrus fruits and vegetable peels. Sawdust Corn stalks
- 5. What’s out? Do not use Bones Dog , Cat feces Oil, grease, fat Wood ash Meat / fish scraps Dairy products Weed seeds Diseased plants
- 6. How much space will it take ? Compost pile should be large enough to hold heat, but small enough to allow proper aeration. The pile should be 3’ long 3’ tall ( 1 cubic yard). The pile larger than 5’wide or5’ tall are not recommended because they are difficult to aerate. Allow for enough space to work around the pile or bin in full sun and get excellent results. An area for storing organic materials such as; leaves may also be desired. A level partially shaded spot is ideal. However we may build pile or bin in full sun and get excellent results. Easy access to water supply is also desirable .
- 7. Is a bin necessary? Composting bins may save space and look neater, but good quality compost can be produced using either bins or open piles. Many of plastic metal and wooden bins are commercially available and may other type can be made at home. Following points should keep in mind to use bin or enclosure: •Is the bin size adequate? • Does the bin allow for adequate aeration ? • Is the bin easy to load and unload? • Does the bin allow for easy mixing of items?
- 8. How much time and energy will it take ? What types and quality of organic material will be able to compost? The method selected will be influenced by how much organic material is available for composting, need for finished compost and the time available for project. Three method of composting are outlined below : Standard, Slow and Fast. Each method require varying amount of time and materials. Standard method The standard method is recommended if variety of organic material such as leaves, grass, kitchen scrap and yard / garden waste. A small area will be needed for the compost pile and the temporary storage of organic materials. This method produces compost in six to eight weeks in spring and summer : if done in fall and winter.
- 9. In standard method, the pile can be made by combining stored materials , or by placing items in the pile as they become available . When gathering and storing organic materials keep browns and green separate piles . It is best to incorporate greens as soon as possible into compost pile ,as most greens can cause foul odours or attract pests. Follow the steps: 1 Start the compost pile with a layer of browns. If organic materials are coarse in nature then chop or shred them into smaller pieces, smaller pieces decay faster. 2 Add a layer of green materials. Try to maintain ratio of 1 part greens to 3 parts browns. 3 Add a finished compost. This will add extra bacteria and fungi to get your pile off to fast start. 4 Mix the materials together with a pitchfork. 5 Check for proper moisture. Add water or additional dry material when necessary. 6 Continue to build layer until the bin is full.
- 10. 7 Mix the pile after one week. Check for proper moisture and aerate the pile. Move coarse or less decayed materials from the outside to the centre. Adjust the moisture by sprinkling with water or adding dry material . Steam may be seen at the time of mixing of pile. 8 Continue mixing the pile every week or two. Check for proper moisture. During this time the compost will begin to look uniform and dark brown in color. The pile will shrinks as the composting process takes place . If the pile does not heat up after turning, is neither too wet nor too dry and most of the original materials are no longer recognizable . It is now ready for curing. 9 Allow the pile to cure for at least a few weeks, until it looks mostly dark and crumbly and has a pleasant earthy order. It is now ready to use as a soil amendment.
- 11. * Slow method The slow method is recommended if there is no steady supply of organic materials . this method takes very little time, but it requires from six months to years to complete. Storage space is not needed since organic materials are added to the pile as the become available. with the slow method, time is not spent checking for the proper mixing or moisture . Since composting is natural process, it will occur with little or no aeration. This method is similar to standard method with the following modifications: 1 No need to check for the proper mix or moisture, build the pile with green or brown materials as the become available. 2 Kitchen waste must be buried deep in the pile. Dig a hole in the top or side of the pile and cover the scraps with several inches of brown material or active compost. Foods left on the surface may attract pest or cause smell. 3 After six months or more, finished compost will be found at the bottom or oldest sections of the pile. It may be collected and used as it produced.
- 12. Fast method The fast method requires enormous amount of organic matter, time and energy but results Finished product very quickly. The fast method is different from the standard method in the following ways: Extra space for gathering and storing materials will be needed. All organic materials are chopped or shredded before they are added to the pile. Both the electric and gasoline powered chippers and shredders are available. Check the temperature often with the compost or soil thermometer. In summer months, it may be necessary to check the pile daily. With the fast method, very high temperatures (>140degree F) can be reached quickly. These temperatures are high enough to kill most weed seeds and disease causing organisms. However, some composting microbes may also be killed. If the temperature goes up ( 150 degree F) , cool the pile by adding coarse, brown materials. Mix the pile every three days and check for proper moisture.
- 13. Problems Possible cause Solution Foul odour Ammonia odour Excess moisture Compaction Too much nitrogen Turn pile or add dry material such as straw. Turn the pile or decrease its size . Add high carbon (brown) items. Low temperature Pile too small Too little moisture Poor aeration Cold weather Enlarge pile Add water and turn pile Turn pile Insulate the pile with layer of materials such as straw. High temperature Pile too large Too much nitrogen Reduce size Add high carbon(brown) items