composting 101 - cultivate 2016
Post on 21-Apr-2017
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What Is Compost?
Anything that was once living will decompose.
Composting is nature's process of recycling organic material into a rich soil amendment.
Soil
What is it?
● organic material
● minerals
● water & air
● organisms
What does it do?
● medium for plant growth
● water storage, supply, purification
● modifier of the Earth's atmosphere
● habitat for organisms
Soil is alive!
Why Compost?
Why don't things compost well in the landfill?
● reduce chemical fertilizers● reduce pesticides● reduce erosion● reduce waste
About 30% of what South Carolinians throw away is yard debris & food waste.
● increase aeration● increase water retention● suppress plant disease● suppress pests● maintain neutral pH● help plants absorb nutrients
How Does Composting Work?
Four phases allow organic matter breakdown & sanitization.
Temperature, moisture, and oxygen attract and support the microorganisms (bacteria, fungi) and other creatures (worms, sowbugs) who do the hard work.
1 2 3 4
PlanningLocation
● Away from roots that may grow into your pile● Away from structures that prevent airflow
Container Considerations
● How do I add material?● How do I remove the compost?● How does air circulate?● How do I control moisture?
Composting Ingredients
The first step is collecting food scraps & waste suited to composting.
stainless steel compost pail
Composting IngredientsGreen (nitrogen)
● fresh clippings● vegetable scraps● coffee grounds● tea bags● herbivore manure
(chicken, rabbit, cow, horse)
Brown (carbon)
● dead leaves● wood chips / twigs● paper / cardboard● hay/straw (animal bedding)● potting soil● egg shells● fireplace ashes● dryer & vacuum lint
Composting IngredientsWater & Air feed the organisms decomposing the material
● Moist like a damp sponge● Turn and mix to prevent buildup of odor-causing bacteria
Avoid● plastic● glass● meat● dairy
● diseased plants● charcoal ash● treated/painted wood
● fat● grease● herbicides● stickers
Compost Problems
Ugly
● Use an attractive container● Bury and cover
Smelly
● Inappropriate materials● Too wet● Not Enough Air
Attracts Animals
● Keep covered● Avoid inappropriate materials
Takes Too Long
● Too dry● Incorrect ratio● Turn turn turn
Alternate Composting Methods
Hügelkulturraised beds built on decaying wood debris and biomass
+ regulates moisture+ warms soil for extended season+ can compost whole trees+ low maintenance
Alternate Composting Methods
Bokashioxygen-free indoor fermentation of organic matter
+ compost almost any food scraps including meat and dairy+ fast (2-4 weeks)+ odorless+ bokashi juice– requires inoculated bokashi mix– only pre-composts– acidic
Alternate Composting Methods
Mushroomsthe spent residual compost from growing mushrooms
+ fungi eat cellulose plant material+ you can eat the mushrooms– spores– odor– temperature requirements (60℉-80℉)
Alternate Composting Methods
Mob Grazingallow the animals to do all the work
+ less fertilizer cost+ better weed control+ plant diversity+ erosion control+ you can eat the animals– land requirement– animals are time consuming
Alternate Composting Methods
Vermiculturelet the worms do the work
+ can be done indoors year-round+ reproduce steadily+ worms can feed chickens+ worms can be used in the garden– difficult to harvest compost– require moisture
Alternate Composting Methods
Black soldier fly larvaelet the larvae feed and grow
+ produce larvae as feed+ don't process high cellulose+ consume meat+ don't bite, sting, or vector disease+ reproduce quickly– requires special bin to harvest– produce little compost– optimum temperature 90℉
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