What Is Compost?
Noun - Compost is described as a rich, crumbly, soil-like material used for gardening
Verb - Composting is the breaking down of plant material that is no longer living, with the help of micro-organisms through a decomposition process
Understanding a few basic composting principles will help you get the best results.
If you want to produce compost that looks good enough to eat just think - Mmmmm!
1. Mix
Add as many different plant based ingredients as you can find
Alternating layers of leaves, grey matter, and soil
Different materials provide different nutrients. For example: grass blades provide nitrogen, dried leaves in the fall provide phosphorous
2. Mass
The more bulk you have (up to a certain point) the faster it will decompose
If everything is chopped too finely there will be no air circulation, causing unfavourable conditions. You do not want to have many pieces over 1/4" diameter
3. Mash
Even though you do want to have some bulk, large, thick pieces will decompose very slowly
For example – the stems of tomato plants would take a long time to decompose as is, but if you were to cut or shred it into small pieces – It would decompose much quicker
In the fall – shred leaves with the lawn mover before adding it to the pile
4. Moisten
In order for proper decomposition to occur it is necessary for the pile to be moist and not too dry or too wet
5. Move
Keep turning your pile towards the centre of the pile where all the action is taking place
The centre of the pile will heat up to about 150 degrees Fahrenheit or 65 degrees Celsius
If you turned your compost pile every day, it would be ready to use in 2 weeks
If you turned your compost pile once a week, it would be ready in 3 months
If you turned your compost pile once a month, it would be ready in 1 year
If you have followed these principles, the results will be the most amazing material you could hope for to use in your garden. Compost is often referred to as “black gold”.
What Can Be Composted?
Anything of living plant origin can be composted, but the quality and quantity of the materials you use affects the process and determines the nutrient value of the finished compost. Here is a chart of what can and cannot be used:
Can Be Used: Each Item should be under 20% of the total pile
Straw
Hay
Leaves (Shred if large or waxy)
Grass Clippings (Dried first)
Old sod
Reject or Soiled Produce
Fruit & Veg. Peels
Newspaper (Shredded)
Eggshells (Crushed)
Stable or Poultry Manure
Tea Bags
Garden Soil
Caution – Limited Amounts: Each Item should be under 10% of the total pile
Corn Cobs
Shredded Twigs
Shredded Bark
Pine Needles
Hedge Trimmings
Wood Shavings
Sawdust
Coffee Grounds
Peanut Shells
Do Not Use!
Diseased Materials
Pest-laden Materials
Weeds that have gone to seed
Meat & Bones
Grease
Whole Eggs
Cheese
Seed & Fruit Pits
Cat & Dog Manure
Bakery Products
Micro-organisms
As mentioned in our definition of composting, decomposition only occurs with the presence of micro-organisms. Micro-organisms are small microscopic creatures that are naturally present in soil. Like most things, there are good micro-organisms and bad micro-organisms. The success of your compost pile depends upon which micro-organisms you have present. The good micro-organisms are called “aerobic” and the bad ones are called “anaerobic”.
Good composting organisms need 4 things in order to survive:
A balanced diet – not all the same material
Water
Air
Warmth
That is why it is important to have a compost pile made of different materials that has some bulk to them and that is kept moist. When these conditions are met, the pile will naturally heat up in the centre and that is where organisms will be the most active. When only anaerobic organisms are present, that is when you have a bad odour.
Tips For Successful Composting: Summary
Good Compost Pile: Aerobic
Ingredients: Made from once-growing plant material
Necessary Size: Between 3’x3’x3’ to 4’x4’x4’
Moisture: Evenly Moist
Mixing: As often as you can
Other Characteristics:
Presence of earthworms
No odours
Decomposes quickly
Medium sized pieces
Heats up in the middle of the pile
Contains many nutrients needed for proper plant growth
Good micro-organisms
Bad Compost Pile: Anaerobic
Ingredients: Animal Parts, Man-made synthetic parts
Necessary Size: Under 3’x3’x3’ or over 4’x4’x4’
Moisture: Too dry or too wet
Mixing: Never
Other Characteristics:
No earthworms
Bad rotting odour
Very slow to decompose
Too fine or too large of pieces
Does not heat up
Does not have many nutrients
Bad micronutrients
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