About Composting-What Elements Make For Good Compost?
About Composting- It's important to understand what compost is and what is required in order to be successful at producing good compost. There are many factors to consider but there are 3 basic elements especially to keep in mind when composting. Without understanding and implimenting them, you're doomed to failure.
So what is compost anyway? Well, all organic matter will eventually decompose or rot and break down to humus. So, the earth takes care of it's waste naturally, composting it without human intervention. Decaying material decomposes with the help of millions of bacteria found in organic material. The result of this decomposing process is an organic compost that enriches the soil, improves soil quality, helps to control pH and helps plants to grow strong and healthy. It's a wonderful gift from our earth.
Because we appreciate the value of compost, we want to produce it for our gardens without having to wait months or even years to get it.
There are 3 basic things to keep in mind about composting:
1) THE CARBON TO NITROGEN RATIO
The CARBON part of the equation is made up of things that are usually dry and brown.
The NITROGEN part of the equation is made up of things that are usually green and fresh.
We need a good balance of both elements because they each play a part. Microorganisms need CARBON for energy and NITROGEN for growth. If there is too little nitrogen the compost pile will just sit there doing nothing. If there is too much nitrogen your pile will begin to smell because of the production of ammonia gas.
There are no hard fast rules because there can be so many variables, but a BASIC rule of thumb to start out with might be a 4:1 ratio.
4 Parts NITROGEN to 1 part CARBON.
2) AERATION
In the heart of every good compost heap or bin is a burning core. Composting is, after all, is a burning process kept alive by oxygen. You know that if you fan flames they get bigger and hotter. That same principle holds true about the composting process. By regularly introducing oxygen to your compost bin or heap by turning it, you keep it's core hot and the composting process progressing. Tumbling composters make this process easy.
3) MOISTURE
A compost heap should be about 50% moisture. If there is too much moisture you may get a foul odor and the decomposition process will slow down. If there is too little moisture, try sprinkling your compost with water. You can test it by taking some in your hand and squeezing it. If it's crumbly, it's too dry. If it's drippy, it's too wet. If it balls up nicely in your hand, your good to go.
Some things to keep in mind when adding items to you composter:
KEEP THE PIECES SMALL FOR QUICKER COMPOSTING.
Chopping, breaking, shredding and bruising things you put in your composter will hasten their decomposition because it increases the surface area and allows more places for agents that cause decomposition to enter to do their work.
DO NOT ADD: Cooked foods, dairy products, fats, meat or bones.
DO NOT ADD: Human or pet waste.
DO NOT ADD: Chemically treated lumber or wood or anything poisonous or diseased.
NOT ALL NITROGEN ADDITIONS ARE CREATED EQUAL.
Poultry manure contains the highest percentage of nitrogen. Then there is steer, goat, horse, and sheep manure which are all similar in nitrogen content. Cattle manure is the lowest in nitrogen. The higher the nitrogen source, the hotter the compost!
There is much more that can be said about composting. This discussion provides basic information that will help you get on your way to reusing some of earth's gifts by composting.
So what is compost anyway? Well, all organic matter will eventually decompose or rot and break down to humus. So, the earth takes care of it's waste naturally, composting it without human intervention. Decaying material decomposes with the help of millions of bacteria found in organic material. The result of this decomposing process is an organic compost that enriches the soil, improves soil quality, helps to control pH and helps plants to grow strong and healthy. It's a wonderful gift from our earth.
Because we appreciate the value of compost, we want to produce it for our gardens without having to wait months or even years to get it.
There are 3 basic things to keep in mind about composting:
1) THE CARBON TO NITROGEN RATIO
The CARBON part of the equation is made up of things that are usually dry and brown.
The NITROGEN part of the equation is made up of things that are usually green and fresh.
We need a good balance of both elements because they each play a part. Microorganisms need CARBON for energy and NITROGEN for growth. If there is too little nitrogen the compost pile will just sit there doing nothing. If there is too much nitrogen your pile will begin to smell because of the production of ammonia gas.
There are no hard fast rules because there can be so many variables, but a BASIC rule of thumb to start out with might be a 4:1 ratio.
4 Parts NITROGEN to 1 part CARBON.
2) AERATION
In the heart of every good compost heap or bin is a burning core. Composting is, after all, is a burning process kept alive by oxygen. You know that if you fan flames they get bigger and hotter. That same principle holds true about the composting process. By regularly introducing oxygen to your compost bin or heap by turning it, you keep it's core hot and the composting process progressing. Tumbling composters make this process easy.
3) MOISTURE
A compost heap should be about 50% moisture. If there is too much moisture you may get a foul odor and the decomposition process will slow down. If there is too little moisture, try sprinkling your compost with water. You can test it by taking some in your hand and squeezing it. If it's crumbly, it's too dry. If it's drippy, it's too wet. If it balls up nicely in your hand, your good to go.
Some things to keep in mind when adding items to you composter:
KEEP THE PIECES SMALL FOR QUICKER COMPOSTING.
Chopping, breaking, shredding and bruising things you put in your composter will hasten their decomposition because it increases the surface area and allows more places for agents that cause decomposition to enter to do their work.
DO NOT ADD: Cooked foods, dairy products, fats, meat or bones.
DO NOT ADD: Human or pet waste.
DO NOT ADD: Chemically treated lumber or wood or anything poisonous or diseased.
NOT ALL NITROGEN ADDITIONS ARE CREATED EQUAL.
Poultry manure contains the highest percentage of nitrogen. Then there is steer, goat, horse, and sheep manure which are all similar in nitrogen content. Cattle manure is the lowest in nitrogen. The higher the nitrogen source, the hotter the compost!
There is much more that can be said about composting. This discussion provides basic information that will help you get on your way to reusing some of earth's gifts by composting.
