All There Is To Know About Composting
Al Haneson talks about green issues on his site, http://chicagolawncompany.com/
Composting is an easy process that is environment-friendly. Special knowledge of the process is not needed. It takes little effort to start collecting wastes and piling them up.
Organic wastes produced through the combination physical and chemical process happens when agents like fungi worms, insects and bacteria are combined in materials which are transformed further by oxidation, hydrolysis and reduction.
Having the appropriate amount of air and water keeps the chemical and biological and processes functioning well. This is the initial step to composting.
The right temperature also is a factor to achieving good composting. Warm weather is a good temperature for composting while during cooler temperature, the process of composting slows down. In a compost pile, the temperature within the pile is important. The high temperature of heat within it “cooks” it, thereby causing decomposition to hit its high peak.
The correct carbon to nitrogen proportion is also a factor to good composting. The C:N ratio are catalyst to its decomposition. Examples of materials high in nitrogen are plant trimmings, grass clippings and kitchen scraps. Examples of materials high in carbon are sawdust, straw and wood chips. The ratio of nitrogen to carbon 1:30.
A compost unit container is needed for composting. It could be made or bought at a hardware. In communities that promote and adhere to composting, they have compost bins for use by their residents offered at special price.
Composters are made of concrete blocks, wire mesh wood or any material that may be available. Design and build a composter that will suit the specific needs of your composting. The following are the 3 most important features needed to making a composter:
1. A lid is needed to cover the pile and protect it from and snow and rain. The moisture that sets in gets controlled this way.
2. For air circulation, holes and vents are needed.
3. Way for removal of the final product.
It is advisable to locate your composter unit at a place accessible to where you could easily reach that is level and well-drained.
In your composter unit, organic materials in layers that are not deeper than 5 centimeters should be added. Then for each successive layers of organic materials, put a cover with around 5 centimeters of ordinary garden soil. The micro-organisms present will speed up the process. The layers of soil also eliminate odor.
Water should be poured on the pile to moisten it. Once a week, turn the pile once a week to ensure that all the ingredients are mixed evenly. Then expose it. Continuously add materials in the process. Remember to always cover the new material with layers of soil and to keep it moist.
When the compost pile begins to heat up and the internal temperature reaches around 60-70 degree C, this is an indication that the condition is favorable. The pile will begin to cool down to around 40-45 C when chemical reactions slow down. This process completes the decomposition process. As a result to the finished product, it will appear to be a dark, rich, soil-like substance with an earthy smell.
To get started, keep a systematic procedure to do a daily composting that will be efficient and convenient. When preparing in the kitchen, keep a large plastic container nearby where peelings and other useful composting materials could just be dumped. When cleaning in the garden or raking leaves, store it in bags that may be added to the compost file on a regular basis. When bulky materials are collected like twigs and woody plant cuttings, arrange it at the bottom of the bin. This way, air circulates through the pile.
HELPFUL Hints
Decomposition of materials processes at different rates but all eventually break down. To speed up the process, decompose smaller pieces.
Before putting grass clippings and leaves in the composter, allow the materials to dry first to avoid getting clump together. What can also help is adding small amounts at a time and mixing with dry materials. .
It is advisable to have two composters to house new materials and those ones that are in the “cooking” process already.
The materials that are in the process of “cooking” continue to do so at slower rates during the warm climates and through the winter. At this state, continue adding new materials. The process will start again when the temperature rises during the spring.
When you get enough finished compost, use this as fertilizer to be mixed in the soil and spread evenly throughout the garden.
Troubleshooting the composting process:
When the pile of compost is not heating up, this would mean that it lacks nitrogen and it lacks enough moisture. To remedy this state, turn the pile and moisten it then add nitrogen rich materials like grass, leaves or manure.
When compost smells bad, it means that the pile is too wet and it is not getting enough air. Again, add nitrogen-rich materials to the pile to remedy it.
When the compost pile is too soggy, the material is too wet. Turn the pile, dry materials should be mixed with it then turn again so that the air could circulate.
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