Transcript Composting
Backyard Composting Sandra M. Frost BHB Area Educator – Crops Advantages • Reduces fertilizer use • Alters soil pH • Improves soil structure 2 Factors • • • • • Location Size Water Microorganisms Air 3 Location • • • • • Shade Out of wind Near a source of water Out of sight Near garden 4 Tips for Success • • • • • Location out of wind and sun Ideal size = 1 cubic yard Water = wrung-out sponge Soil biota with soil Air – turn pile 5 Soil Biota • Bacteria – smallest & most numerous – Purple bacteria – Actinomycetes • Fungi – most biomass, dominant – Molds, mildew, rust, smut, yeasts • Collembolans • Millipedes • Worms 6 Feeding a Compost Pile • Microorganisms need food ! • Carbon / Nitrogen ratio 25/1 7 Dynamics • Early – bacteria and fungi • Mid – high heat kills fungi • Late – Fungi work – Cellulose, lignin, bacterial bodies 8 Feeding a Compost Pile • Yes – garden debris, kitchen wastes, shredded paper, manures, leaves, hay, straw, grass clippings, sod, sawdust. • No – bones, meat scraps, fats, dog and cat feces, human feces, polyester materials, plastics, diseased plants, toxic stuff. 9 Possible Problems • • • • • • Too wet Too dry Compost not working Offensive odor Leaves matted Flies 10 Cold-weather Composting • • • • Takes longer Cover pile with a sheet of black plastic Add more nitrogen-rich materials Add 1 foot higher / wider for insulation 11 Worms • • • • • • Tunneling = aeration & structure Castings = nutrients 1 lb / 1 lb garbage / 1 lb compost / day Reduce time for composting to occur Must turn pile weekly to moderate heat Indoors – worm box (Red Worms) 12 Humus • Colloidal soil organic matter • Highly charged with large surface area • Dynamic role in soil – buffers pH, chelates cations (+ ions), pH • Over time it releases N and S to soil 13 Compost uses • • • • • Mix in garden beds Prepare soil for new lawns Add to flower pots Use as a mulch Give it away 14 Structures • Not necessary 15 The End 16