Compost Compilations Kelly Feille

What is this rotting mess? Composting speeds up the natural process of decomposition Bring together organic materials, create for them a prefect environment for decomposing com=together post=to bring

Why should I compost? ¾ of household waste is organic material –Yard waste 230 pounds per person a year –Food waste 100 pounds per person a year –Family of 4 = 1320 pounds of organic waste a year A small school of 400 students serving two meals a day resulting in 50 pounds of food waste per student produces ONE TON of compostable material a year.

Healthy Soil Compost contains N, P and K as well as Boron, Cobalt, Iodine, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum and Zinc and releases these nutrients as plants need them. Increases water capacity of soil Neutralizes toxins and metals Acts as a pH buffer

How it works Organisms work to break down organic material releasing valuable nutrients. –Bacteria –Fungi & Actinomycetes –Macroorganisms (worms and insects)

Three levels of bacterial growth Psychropilic below 55° F oxidizes Carbon and releases heat energy to move into mesophilic zone Mesophilic 70°-90°F where much of the decomposition occurs Thermophilic 100°-160°F peaking temperature where harmful substances are killed off

Beyond bacteria Fungi & Actinomycetes –Cool temperature fungi break down cellulose & lignin –Medium temperature ½ breeds of fungi and bacteria (actinomycetes) have a cobwebby look. Macroorganisms –Earthworms –Insects

Getting Started Methods Heap method - a 5’x3’ pile out in the open. You’ll need at least two piles. Indore Process (not indoor) invented by Sir Albert Howard uses sandwich like layers of green/wet – dry/withered and requires you to keep an accurate moisture content, optimum pile size and good aeration. University of California Method will give you compost in just 14 days. Use all chopped or shredded material with a thorough blending of C:N and turn your material often. Ogden 3 pile system requires that you move a completed compost pile and start a new one. The idea is that you should have compost at 3 different stages at all times; beginning, middle, end.

Systems Wooden box made using pallets. Create ½ of a cube to contain your compost. It is recommended to use 4 pallets per box, using one as a floor piece to allow for aeration. Circular or 5 panel wire bins 3 bin system made from wood and wire Commercial plastic bins made from a steel drum or garbage can Composting tumblers

Compostable Materials GREEN MATERIALS Shaved feathers contain Nitrogen Garbage – all organic kitchen refuse (including coffee grinds!) –Except grease, oil and animal fat! Meat scrapings will attract animals and flies. Dishwater often contains grease. Grass clippings –Dry first –Mix with dry, absorbent materials –Put them into layer – cake pile in thin layers Leaves – chop and mix to speed up decomposition Hops – spent (from brewery waste) may retain a bit of moisture Weeds – thermophilic temperatures kill most weed seeds and also if subjected to digestive system of earthworm they will not survive. If you add weeds, add manure or like substance to ensure sufficient heating. Seaweed (Kelp) adds potassium

“BROWN” MATERIALS Peat Moss – adds no nutrients, but adds bulk Newspaper – shredded –Carcinogenic carbon black ink is rendered inert by high temperatures –Colored ink is mostly vegetable dyes, no longer heavy metal ink Pine needles – break down slowly but are a good texturizer Sawdust – thin sprinkles Sod – adds topsoil and organic matter and is a good insulator (place on top of pile, roots up, grass down) Ground stone and shells – very fine particles Hay or Straw – should be weathered first Hedge trimmings – chopped or shredded Ashes (wood only) potash a fine sprinkling over 18” or so Leather waste (dust) contains Nitrogen and Phosphorus

Ratio Recipe Carbon to Nitrogen ratio of 30:1 Aka: Green Aka: Brown

Do not use... Coal/charcoal Colored paper with heavy metal dyes Diseased plants Non-biodegradable items (synthetic materials) Pet litter Sludge (human waste) Toxic chemicals

Speeding it Up Activators Complete compost Manure Meal (but look out for pesticide residue found on many types of meal) Natural activators –Alfalfa meal, blood meal, bone meal, compost, cotton seed meal, fish meal, hoof meal, manure, soil Artificial activators – fertilizer – 1 cup for every 10 square feet Bacterial activators Techniques Aeration –Ventilation stalks, lift and fluff with a pitch fork or aerator. Moisture –Ratio of 40-60% (consistency of a well wrung wet sponge) –Moisten as you build and add material –Moisten as you aerate –Use rainwater! Turning your compost –To remain in a thermophilic state your compost bin needs to be turned every 3-4 days –Turn the pile whenever the temperature drops below 100° F Ground, chop and chip your material before you put it into your pile.

Is it done yet? Finished compost will: Be free of pathogens & weed seeds Have an adequate supply of major nutrients Be crumbly Be dark in color Smell sweet & earthy Have a drop in temperature from 150°F to outside temperature. Be 25-30% organic material

What do I do with it? Spread over whole growing are in the fall or a month before spring planting Spread over plantings Compost tea –1 part compost with 5 parts water, stir and let sit for several days and poor over plantings Don’t overdo it! Too much compost will not be beneficial for your soil.

In the Classroom Data to collect pH level – healthy soil ranges from –Adding lime raises pH of soil Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium (NPK) Temperature –Hot piles kill seeds, pathogens destroyed quickly –Cold piles doesn’t harm earthworms, less turning needed Insects present Odor Color Height Texture/consistency

What changes are taking place in a compost bin? Tools available: ThermometerObservation Disks Meter Stick Pitchfork Soil test kit What data will we collect? Is it qualitative or quantitative?

Data Analysis and Presentation How will your group display your data and what does it mean? Be prepared to share your findings!

Rosemont 6 th Grade Compost Compilations

Take it home What changes will you need to make to this activity to make it work for your students at your school? What hints are helpful to keep in mind? Share your great ideas!

Evaluation Time Thanks for coming! I hope you’ve learned something and, even better, have something you can take with you to your students!

Compost Compilations Kelly Feille Rosemont 6 th Grade FWISD