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COMPOST STIMULATES SOIL LIFE

Compost can be classified as a 100% organic fertilizer containing primary nutrients as well as trace minerals, humus and humic acids, in a slow release form. Compost improves soil porosity, drainage and aeration and moisture holding capacity and reduces compaction. Compost can retain up to ten times it's weight in water. In addition, compost helps buffer soils against extreme chemical imbalances; aids in unlocking soil minerals; releases nutrients over a wide time window; acts as a buffer against the absorption of chemicals and heavy metals; promotes the development of healthy root zones; suppresses diseases associated with certain fungi; and helps plants tolerate drought conditions.

Compost can be used in a variety of applications. High quality compost can be used in lawn & turf grass care, gardening, agriculture, horticulture, etc.. Medium quality compost can be used in applications such as erosion control and roadside landscaping. Low quality compost can be used as a landfill cover or in land reclamation projects.

ABOUT COMPOSTING

Composting is not a mysterious or complicated process. Natural recycling (composting) occurs on a continuous basis in the natural environment. Organic matter is metabolized by bacteria and consumed by invertebrates. The resulting nutrients are returned to the soil to support plant growth.

Composting can be carried out on a wide range of scales in almost any indoor or outdoor environment and in almost any geographic location. It has the potential to manage most of the organic material in the waste stream including restaurant waste, leaves and yard wastes, farm waste, animal manure, animal carcasses, paper products, sewage sludge, wood etc. and can be easily incorporated into any waste management plan.

The essential elements required by the bacteria are carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and moisture. If any of these elements are lacking, or if they are not provided in the proper proportion, the microorganisms will not flourish and will not provide adequate heat. A composting process that operates at optimum performance will convert organic matter into stable compost that is odor and pathogen free. In addition, it will significantly reduce the volume and weight of organic waste as the composting process converts much of the biodegradable component to gaseous carbon dioxide.

COMPOSTING METHODS

HOT COMPOSTING - Hot composting is the most efficient method for producing quality compost in a relatively short time. In addition, it favors the destruction of weed seeds, fly larvae and pathogens.  While hot composting, using the windrow or bin method, requires a high degree of management, hot composting, using the in-vessel method, requires a lesser degree of management.

COLD COMPOSTING - This method is ideal for adding organic matter around trees, in garden plots, in eroded areas etc. The time required to decompose organic matter using this method is governed, to a large extent, by environmental conditions and could take two years or more.

SHEET COMPOSTING - Sheet composting is carried out by spreading organic material on the surface of the soil or untilled ground and allowing it to decompose naturally. Over time, the material will decompose and filter into the soil. This method is ideally suited for forage land, no-till applications, erosion control, roadside landscaping etc. The process does not favor the destruction of weed seeds, fly larvae, pathogens etc. and composting materials should be limited to plant residue and manure. Again, decomposition time is governed by environmental conditions and can be quite lengthy.

TRENCH COMPOSTING - Trench composting is relatively simple. Simply dig a trench 6 - 8 inches deep, fill with 3 - 4 inches of organic material and cover with soil. Wait a few weeks and plant directly above the trench. This method does not favor the destruction of weed seeds, fly larvae and pathogens and the composting process can be relatively slow.

INVESSEL COMPOSTING - An in-vessel, aerobic mechanical composter can be constructed from a steel drum, or tank designed to rotate at three to five revolutions per hour. Rotation can be carried out with a simple hand crank or a timed electrical mechanical device. This type of composter can produce a stabilized compost in three to four days and can be an environmentally appropriate, low management alternative to bin composting.

AERATED BIN - An aerated bin can be constructed using 4' × 4' pallets fastened together to form a box and lined with wire mesh. To limit the degree of turning and permit air to flow through the pile the structure can be elevated or, in the alternative, perforated pipes can be incorporated into the structure. One side of the structure should be detachable to facilitate loading, mixing and unloading. The composter should be waterproof and located in and area that is protected from the wind.

Static compost piles and windrows should be large enough to retain heat and small enough to facilitate air to its center. As a rule of thumb, the minimum dimensions of a pile should be 3 feet by 3 feet by 3 feet.

TURNING UNITS - Turning units are ideally suited for batch composting and are extremely practical for building and turning active compost. Turning units allow convenient mixing for aeration and accelerated composting.

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