Composting: Getting down to paydirtComposting is easy. You don't need any special knowledge or equipment, and it takes only a little extra effort to collect your wastes and establish an active compost pile. Once you've got it going, it just about takes care of itself. How composting works:In nature, organic wastes are broken down through a combination of biological and chemical processes. Biological agents like worms, insects, fungi, bacteria and other micro-organisms "chew up" the materials, which are further transformed by oxidation (exposure to air), reduction and hydrolysis (exposure to water). Composting recipe:For successful composting, you need:
Building a composter:Building your own composter will allow you to design a unit to suit your specific needs. A composter can be made of wood, concrete blocks, wire mesh or almost any material you have available. The three most essential features in a composter are:
Here are some design ideas:
If conditions are right, your compost pile will begin to heat up, eventually reaching an internal temperature of about 60-70 C. The pile will actually feel hot to the touch. As the chemical reactions-slow down, the pile will begin to cool to about 40-45 C. The decomposition process is then complete. The finished product will be a dark, rich, soil-like substance with a good earthy smell. How to get started:You don't have to run to the composter every time you peel a potato. Many people keep their kitchen wastes under the sink in a large plastic container with a resealable lid and a handle. When the container is full, they empty it into the compost pile. This reduces the number of trips they have to make. If you have yard waste, find a suitable area to keep the materials until you can add them to the compost pile. When you rake up the dead leaves on your lawn, store them in bags so that you can add them to the compost. File at regular intervals rather than all at once in the fall. Place bulky loose materials like twigs, woody plant cuttings and sticks at the bottom of the bin. This will let air circulate through the pile.
Helpful hints:Be patient. Different materials will decompose at different rates but they will all break down eventually. If you want to speed things up, use smaller pieces. Leaves and grass tend to clump together when wet. To avoid this, allow grass clippings and leaves to dry out before putting them in your composter. Add small amounts at a time and mixing them with dry materials will also help. It may be easier to use two composters; one for new materials and one for ingredients that are already cooking. In warmer climates, your composter may continue to 'cook' (at a slower rate) through the winter, so you can keep adding new materials. In colder climates, keep adding materials. When the temperature rises-in spring, the process will start again. When you have enough finished compost, mix it into your soil and spread it evenly throughout your garden. Troubleshooting:Is compost giving-you a rotten time? Try one of these quick fixes: Problem: Pile not heating up, not enough moisture or lack of nitrogen. Solution: Turn the pile and moisten, Add nitrogen-rich, material like grass, leaves or manure. Problem: Compost smells bad, not enough air or too wet Solution: Add nitrogen-rich,material like grass, leaves or manure. Problem: Pile is soggy, too much wet material Solution: Turn the pile, mix in dry materials, turn to allow air to circulate. For more information: |
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