Composting 101

What is compost?  Organic (contains carbon) material that can be used as a soil additive.  Comes from decomposing organic household waste and yard waste.  Organic (contains carbon) material that can be used as a soil additive.  Comes from decomposing organic household waste and yard waste.

Purpose of Compost  Compost is rich in nutrients such as nitrogen, phosophorus, and potassium.  Compost protects plants against diseases.  Compost provides a neutral pH soil structure for plant growth.  Compost is rich in nutrients such as nitrogen, phosophorus, and potassium.  Compost protects plants against diseases.  Compost provides a neutral pH soil structure for plant growth.

Humus  Mature compost that has reached a stable level and will not break down any further  Provides essential nutrients for plant growth and increases water absorption  This is the end goal we are looking for!  Mature compost that has reached a stable level and will not break down any further  Provides essential nutrients for plant growth and increases water absorption  This is the end goal we are looking for!

Decompose?  Decomposition: process by which organic material breaks down into simpler matter.  Decomposers: microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi that aid in the process of decomposition.  Decomposition: process by which organic material breaks down into simpler matter.  Decomposers: microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi that aid in the process of decomposition.

Leachate  A liquid extracted from compost that contains nutrients  Used to help plant growth by raising the nutrient levels  A liquid extracted from compost that contains nutrients  Used to help plant growth by raising the nutrient levels

How does it work? (strategies/recommendations)  Materials  Temperature  Aeration  Moisture  TIME  Materials  Temperature  Aeration  Moisture  TIME

1. MATERIALS  Organic materials (containing carbon) can be used in compost.  Kitchen scraps: vegetable and fruit waste, coffee grounds, paper, egg cartons, egg shells, etc.  Yard waste: grass clippings, leaves, dirt.  Organic materials (containing carbon) can be used in compost.  Kitchen scraps: vegetable and fruit waste, coffee grounds, paper, egg cartons, egg shells, etc.  Yard waste: grass clippings, leaves, dirt.

Materials that speed up decomposition…

Materials that take a long time to break down  Larger pieces of wood generally takes a while to decompose.

Materials to avoid:  Meat, bones, dairy and fish can be harmful  Trash such as aluminum, plastic, metal, etc. do not decompose and should not be used in a pile.  Meat, bones, dairy and fish can be harmful  Trash such as aluminum, plastic, metal, etc. do not decompose and should not be used in a pile.

2. TEMPERATURE  Compost goes through three temperature phases during the decomposition process ranging from degrees Celsius ( F).  Compost should be turned so that outer materials can be rotated towards the center of the pile in order to decompose.  Compost goes through three temperature phases during the decomposition process ranging from degrees Celsius ( F).  Compost should be turned so that outer materials can be rotated towards the center of the pile in order to decompose.

Temperature Graph

*Watch Out*  If compost reaches 65 or higher degrees Celsius, that is too hot and may kill the microorganisms decomposing the material.

3. AERATION  It is important to turn the pile frequently in order to replenish oxygen sources towards the center of the pile.  Oxygen is needed by the microorganisms in order to decompose.  It is important to turn the pile frequently in order to replenish oxygen sources towards the center of the pile.  Oxygen is needed by the microorganisms in order to decompose.

4. MOISTURE  Microorganisms thrive in a warm and moist environment.  Too much water can block air passage through the compost pile and suffocate the microorganisms.  Microorganisms thrive in a warm and moist environment.  Too much water can block air passage through the compost pile and suffocate the microorganisms.

5. TIME  Decomposition is a lengthy process, and it is important to give the materials time to decompose.  Choosing easily compostable materials is key, as is adding organisms such as worms.  Decomposition is a lengthy process, and it is important to give the materials time to decompose.  Choosing easily compostable materials is key, as is adding organisms such as worms.

DING: Finished!  Compost is ready to use when it is a rich brown color and breaks apart easily. It should also have a sweet, earthy smell.  Composting can take anywhere between 3-6 months depending on the conditions of the pile, so be patient!  Compost is ready to use when it is a rich brown color and breaks apart easily. It should also have a sweet, earthy smell.  Composting can take anywhere between 3-6 months depending on the conditions of the pile, so be patient!

Now your ready to grow some stuff!