Compost

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Compost
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In nature, ones waste is anothers food!
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Composting

• Compost is the biological reduction of organic
  wastes to humus

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Compost

• Compost is the biological decomposition of
  organic matter under controlled aerobic
  conditions.
• In contrast, fermentation is the anaerobic
  decomposition of organic matter

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Why compost?

• Up to 75 of household waste is organic or
  carbon-based material.
• Composting reduces materials dumped in landfills
• Environmentally conscious way of reducing waste

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carbon dioxide (CO2) (0.04 in the atmosphere)
The role of soil organic matter in the carbon
cycle. Losses of carbon from the field are
indicated by yellow color around the words
describing the process.
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nitrogen gas (N2) (78 of atmosphere)
NH4 and NO3-
legumes
free-living bacteria
ammonium NH4
immobilization
nitrate NO3-
leaching to groundwater
The role of soil organic matter in the nitrogen
cycle. Losses of nitrogen from the field are
indicated by a yellow color around words
describing the process.
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Why compost?

• Save money (cheaper than peat moss)
• Increase tilth (soil structure, aeration,
  fertility)
• Adds macro- and micro-nutrients
• Increases CEC and acts as a pH buffer
• Provides energy source for soil microbes and
  earthworms
• Used as a mulch can keep down weeds

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Factors affecting composting
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Factors affecting composting

• Temperature- internal temp between 70 140F.
  Decomposition occurs if the pile is above
  freezing. (thermophillic)

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Temperature
If temperature goes above 150F, turn the pile!
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Factors affecting composting

• Oxygen- aerobic decomposition is necessary. If
  the pile smells bad it is because there isnt
  enough oxygen getting inside!

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Factors affecting composting

• Moisture- 50 moisture is best. Cover with a
  tarp if rainy to keep from getting too wet or too
  dry.
• Should feel like a sponge that has been wrung-out

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Factors affecting composting

• Nutrients- Carbon to Nitrogen ratio (CN)
• Optimal 251 (range from 201 to 401)
• High C Materials Straw, hay, woody materials,
  dried corn stalks, paper wastes
• Wood chips 4001
• High N Materials Manures, green material (grass
  clippings), food wastes. Nitrogen fertilizer
  can also be added.
• Grass clippings 121

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Factors affecting composting

• CAUTION- if you use herbicides/insecticides on
  your lawn, these may remain in the clippings and
  can sometimes cause problems to plants where you
  incorporate the compost later!!

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Factors affecting composting

• Time- process can take 2 weeks to 2 years
  depending on the carbon source and other factors
  mentioned
• Organic materials buried in a landfill may never
  decompose because of a lack of oxygen

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Factors affecting composting

• Equal weights of green and brown, helps the
  microbes break it down!

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Ways to speed composting

• Chopping or shredding materials into small pieces
• Mix equal amounts of green (high nitrogen) and
  brown (high carbon) materials
• Turn pile regularly
• Keep moist but not wet

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Types of composting set-ups
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Types of composting set-ups

• Bins generally range from 3 x 3 x 3 to 5 x
  5 x 5
• Taller bins have weight which compressed the
  lower material and does not allow enough air in
  for aerobic composting
• Multiple bins, called turning bins allow a
  faster decomposition process

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Types of composting set-ups
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Types of composting set-ups
Chicken wire cage
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Types of composting set-ups
Plastic bins
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Types of composting set-ups
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Types of composting set-ups
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Types of composting set-ups
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Types of composting set-ups
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Types of composting set-ups
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Types of composting set-ups
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Types of composting set-ups
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Types of composting set-ups
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Types of composting set-ups
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Types of composting set-ups
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Types of composting set-ups
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Things that should not go into a compost pile

• Meat (beef/poultry/fish)
• Non-ground bones
• Diseased plants
• Grease/fat/oil
• Used kitty litter
• Colored newspaper/circulars
• Treated wood or sawdust
• Dairy products
• Weeds/seeds
• Human/dog/cat waste

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Vermicomposting

• Using worms to digest organic matter into compost
• Suitable for use indoors

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Vermicomposting

• http//www.terracycle.net/index.htm

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Vermicomposting
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The vermicomposting bin
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Vermicomposting worms

• Eisenia foetida (red wigglers NOT earthworms)
• 1 pound of worms (approx. 1,000 worms) can eat 1
  pound of food in 2 days
• Need temperatures between 45 - 80F

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Vermicomposting food

• Fruit and veggie scraps and peels
• Coffee grounds
• Tea bags
• Rinsed, crushed egg shells
• Pasta and rice
• Bread (not moldy)
• Dead cut flowers
• Shredded black and white newspaper for bedding on
  top of food scraps (reduces problems with fruit
  flies)

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Resources for more info.

• http//www.howtocompost.org/
• http//www.oldgrowth.org/compost/
• http//www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/compost/
• http//www.gardeners.com/

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Taking a soil sample

• Take a sample from a representative area
• Take 10 cores minimum for home garden
• Make a composite sample (mix cores in a bag)
• Dig down 4-6 for turf
• Dig down 6-10 for tilled vegetable crops
• Send soil in using an approved bag mailer
• If you must store it, put in a refrig.
• Do not leave in a car or store in a hot location

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Taking your own soil pH

• 2 parts soil to 1 part distilled water
• Mix well
• Use pH paper which changes color according to how
  acidic or basic the solution is, or use a pH
  meter which gives you a direct reading IF
  properly maintained and calibrated.
• More info.
• http//ctr.uvm.edu/ctr/oh/oh34.htm

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pH of common items

• Acidic
• Hydrochloric acid 0.1
• Sulfuric acid (battery) 1
• Stomach juices 1 3
• Lemon juice 2.3
• Vinegar 2.4 3.4
• Apple juice 2.9 3.3
• Grapefruit juice 3 3.3
• Soft drinks 3.5
• Orange juice 3 4
• Tomato tomato juice 4.2
• Grapes 3.5 4.5
• Acid rain 5.2
• Normal rain 5.7
• Maple syrup 6.5-7

• Distilled water 7.0 (neutral)
• Basic
• Human blood 7.35 7.45
• Sea water 7.36 8.21
• Eggs 7.6 8
• Baking soda 8.0
• Milk of magnesia 10.5
• Ammonia water 11.6