compost. in nature, one’s waste is another’s food! is another’s food!

CompostCompost

In nature, one’s wasteIn nature, one’s waste is another’s food!is another’s food!

CompostingComposting• Compost is the biological reduction of Compost is the biological reduction of

organic wastes to humusorganic wastes to humus

CompostCompost• Compost is the biological decomposition Compost is the biological decomposition

of organic matter under controlled of organic matter under controlled aerobicaerobic conditions. conditions.

• In contrast, fermentation is the In contrast, fermentation is the anaerobicanaerobic decomposition of organic matterdecomposition of organic matter

Why compost?Why compost?• Up to 75% of household waste is organic or Up to 75% of household waste is organic or

carbon-based material.carbon-based material.

• Composting reduces materials dumped in Composting reduces materials dumped in landfillslandfills

• Environmentally conscious way of reducing Environmentally conscious way of reducing wastewaste

carbon dioxide (CO2)(0.04% in the atmosphere)

root respirationand soil organic

matter decomposition

crop and animal residues

photosynthesis

respiration in stems

and leaves

crop harvest

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.

carbon in soil

organic matter erosion

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.

crop harvest

crop and animal

residues

nitrogen in soil

organic matter

ammoniumNH4

+

leaching togroundwater

nitrateNO3

-

erosion

NH4++OH- NH3+H2O

legumes

free-living bacteria

NH4+

and NO3

-

nitrogen gas (N2)(78% of atmosphere)

volatilization

plant uptak

e

denitrification

NO3

- N2 +

N2O

atmospheric fixation or

fertilizer production

nitrogenfixation

immobilization

Why compost?Why compost?• Save money (cheaper than peat moss)Save money (cheaper than peat moss)

• Increase tilth (soil structure, aeration, fertility)Increase tilth (soil structure, aeration, fertility)

• Adds macro- and micro-nutrientsAdds macro- and micro-nutrients

• Increases CEC and acts as a pH bufferIncreases CEC and acts as a pH buffer

• Provides energy source for soil microbes and Provides energy source for soil microbes and earthwormsearthworms

• Used as a mulch can keep down weedsUsed as a mulch can keep down weeds

Factors affecting compostingFactors affecting composting


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

TemperatureTemperatureIf temperature goes above 150°F,If temperature goes above 150°F,turn the pile!turn the pile!


• OxygenOxygen- aerobic decomposition is - aerobic decomposition is necessary. If the pile smells bad… it is necessary. If the pile smells bad… it is because there isn’t enough oxygen getting because there isn’t enough oxygen getting inside!inside!


• MoistureMoisture- 50% moisture is best. Cover - 50% moisture is best. Cover with a tarp if rainy to keep from getting with a tarp if rainy to keep from getting too wet or too dry.too wet or too dry.

• Should feel like a sponge that has been Should feel like a sponge that has been wrung-outwrung-out


• NutrientsNutrients- Carbon to Nitrogen ratio (C:N)- Carbon to Nitrogen ratio (C:N)– Optimal = 25:1 (range from 20:1 to 40:1)Optimal = 25:1 (range from 20:1 to 40:1)

• High C MaterialsHigh C Materials: Straw, hay, woody materials, : Straw, hay, woody materials, dried corn stalks, paper wastesdried corn stalks, paper wastes– Wood chips = 400:1Wood chips = 400:1

• High N MaterialsHigh N Materials: Manures, green material : Manures, green material (grass clippings*), food wastes. Nitrogen (grass clippings*), food wastes. Nitrogen fertilizer can also be added.fertilizer can also be added.– Grass clippings = 12:1Grass clippings = 12:1


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


• TimeTime- process can take 2 weeks to 2 years - process can take 2 weeks to 2 years depending on the carbon source and depending on the carbon source and other factors mentionedother factors mentioned

• Organic materials buried in a landfill Organic materials buried in a landfill may never decompose because of a may never decompose because of a lack lack of oxygenof oxygen


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

Ways to speed compostingWays to speed composting

• Chopping or shredding materials into small Chopping or shredding materials into small piecespieces

• Mix equal amounts of green (high nitrogen) Mix equal amounts of green (high nitrogen) and brown (high carbon) materialsand brown (high carbon) materials

• Turn pile regularlyTurn pile regularly

• Keep moist but not wetKeep moist but not wet

Types of composting set-upsTypes of composting set-ups


• Bins generally range from 3’ x 3’ x 3’ to Bins generally range from 3’ x 3’ x 3’ to 5’ x 5’ x 5’5’ x 5’ x 5’

• Taller bins have weight which Taller bins have weight which compressed the lower material and does compressed the lower material and does not allow enough air in for aerobic not allow enough air in for aerobic compostingcomposting

• Multiple bins, called “turning bins” allow Multiple bins, called “turning bins” allow a faster decomposition processa faster decomposition process


Chicken wire cageChicken wire cage


Plastic binsPlastic bins

Things that should Things that should notnot go go into a compost pileinto a compost pile

• Meat (beef/poultry/fish)Meat (beef/poultry/fish)• Non-ground bonesNon-ground bones• Diseased plantsDiseased plants• Grease/fat/oilGrease/fat/oil• Used kitty litterUsed kitty litter• Colored newspaper/circularsColored newspaper/circulars• Treated wood or sawdustTreated wood or sawdust• Dairy productsDairy products• Weeds/seedsWeeds/seeds• Human/dog/cat wasteHuman/dog/cat waste

VermicompostingVermicomposting• Using worms to digest organic matter into Using worms to digest organic matter into

compostcompost

• Suitable for use indoorsSuitable for use indoors

VermicompostingVermicomposting• http://www.terracycle.net/index.htmhttp://www.terracycle.net/index.htm

VermicompostingVermicomposting

The vermicomposting binThe vermicomposting bin

Vermicomposting wormsVermicomposting worms• Eisenia foetidaEisenia foetida (red wigglers (red wigglers NOTNOT earthworms) earthworms)

• 1 pound of worms (approx. 1,000 worms) can 1 pound of worms (approx. 1,000 worms) can eat 1 pound of food in 2 dayseat 1 pound of food in 2 days

• Need temperatures between 45 - 80FNeed temperatures between 45 - 80F

Vermicomposting “food”Vermicomposting “food”• Fruit and veggie scraps and peelsFruit and veggie scraps and peels• Coffee groundsCoffee grounds• Tea bagsTea bags• Rinsed, crushed egg shellsRinsed, crushed egg shells• Pasta and ricePasta and rice• Bread (not moldy)Bread (not moldy)• Dead cut flowersDead cut flowers• Shredded black and white newspaper for bedding Shredded black and white newspaper for bedding

on top of food scraps (reduces problems with fruit on top of food scraps (reduces problems with fruit flies)flies)

Resources for more info.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/

http://www.howtocompost.org/

http://www.oldgrowth.org/compost/

http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/compost/

http://www.gardeners.com/

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

Taking your own soil pHTaking your own soil pH• 2 parts soil to 1 part distilled water2 parts soil to 1 part distilled water

• Mix wellMix well

• Use pH paper which changes color according to Use pH paper which changes color according to how acidic or basic the solution is, or use a pH how acidic or basic the solution is, or use a pH meter which gives you a direct reading meter which gives you a direct reading IFIF properly maintained and calibrated.properly maintained and calibrated.

• More info.:More info.:– http://ctr.uvm.edu/ctr/oh/oh34.htmhttp://ctr.uvm.edu/ctr/oh/oh34.htm

pH of common itemspH of common itemsAcidicAcidic• Hydrochloric acid Hydrochloric acid 0.10.1• Sulfuric acid (battery) Sulfuric acid (battery) 11• Stomach juices Stomach juices 1 – 31 – 3• Lemon juice Lemon juice 2.32.3• Vinegar Vinegar 2.4 – 3.42.4 – 3.4• Apple juice Apple juice 2.9 – 3.32.9 – 3.3• Grapefruit juice Grapefruit juice 3 – 3.33 – 3.3• Soft drinksSoft drinks 3.5 3.5• Orange juice Orange juice 3 – 43 – 4• Tomato & tomato juice Tomato & tomato juice 4.24.2• Grapes Grapes 3.5 – 4.53.5 – 4.5• Acid rainAcid rain 5.25.2• Normal rain Normal rain 5.75.7• Maple syrupMaple syrup 6.5-7 6.5-7

• Distilled waterDistilled water 7.0 7.0 (neutral)(neutral)

BasicBasic• Human blood Human blood 7.35 – 7.457.35 – 7.45• Sea water Sea water 7.36 – 8.217.36 – 8.21• Eggs Eggs 7.6 – 87.6 – 8• Baking soda Baking soda 8.08.0• Milk of magnesia Milk of magnesia 10.510.5• Ammonia water Ammonia water 11.611.6

compost. in nature, one’s waste is another’s food! is another’s food!

Documents

composting slide

compost slide

waste slide

wet slide

humus slide

thermophillic slide

lack of oxygen slide

composting compost