What is Compost?
Compost is organic matter that has been decomposed and recycled as a fertilizer and soil amendment. Compost is usually a key ingredient in organic farming.
The Composting Process
At a basic level, the process of composting simply requires making a pile of wetted organic matter known as green waste (leaves, food waste) and waiting for the materials to break down into humus after a period of several weeks or months.
Modern methods of producing compost are multi-step, monitored processes with measured inputs of water and air, as well as carbon- and nitrogen-rich materials. The process of decomposition is facilitated by shredding the plant matter, adding water, and ensuring proper aeration by regularly turning the mixture. Worms and fungi further break down the material. Bacteria, requiring oxygen to function, and fungi manage the chemical process by converting the inputs into heat, carbon dioxide, and ammonium.
Compost is rich in nutrients and is used in gardening, landscaping, horticulture, and agriculture. Compost is beneficial for the land, acting as a soil conditioner, a fertilizer, adding vital humus, and serving as a natural pesticide. Compost can help in erosion control, land and stream reclamation, wetland construction, and as landfill cover.
Preparing Compost
Most Common Ingredients
Grass clippings (worth mixing with broken twigs and leaves, and a little earth as otherwise it may rot).
Plant cuttings (must be cut to a maximum of 15 cm).
Kitchen refuse (except from tropical fruit skin and food remnants).
Weeds.
Remains of commercial crops.
Composting Tips
Do not put too many leaves at the same time. With larger amounts, dampen with water and keep aside. In a few weeks, decomposition will begin – at that time, put the leaves in the main compost.
Weeds can be used in composting but should be treated with caution. Weeds should be collected in a separate pile. When the middle of the compost heats up to 70–80°F, then the weeds can be mixed into the middle (check the temperature with a compost thermometer first). Temperatures of 70–80°F destroy a weed’s ability to reproduce. There are highly invasive weeds like couch grass and bindweed which should not be added to compost. Burn or discard weeds like this in a place where they won’t cause a problem, for example where trees are planted.
What Not to Add to Compost
Any part of sick or infested plants – compost made from this may re-infect other plants in the garden.
Food – this will attract animals like dogs, rats, and foxes.
Skins of tropical fruits – these can contain traces of pesticides and fertilizers, and decompose slowly.
Commercially grown flowers – these are often treated with chemicals.
Plastic or color-printed paper – these do not decompose completely and contain toxic materials.
Any non-decomposable materials such as glass, metal, or stones.
Optimal Compost Ratios
Ideally, compost should be 2/3 green matter to 1/3 dry matter. From time to time, it is worth putting a few shovels of soil on compost. Alternatively, place it between layers of plant matter so the micro-organisms in the soil can break down the plant matter, and thus decomposition will take place more quickly.
In warm periods, compost can be ready in 1–2 months. However, the usual time for the maturation of compost is 6 months or more.
It is important that compost does not dry out, so it is a good idea to site it in the shade. During warm summers, it is advisable to water it at least once a week.
It is also helpful to turn or mix compost on a weekly basis. The right time to mix compost is when, after having heated up for the first time, it begins to cool down. Mixing compost adds air, which increases the rate of decomposition immediately thereafter. When compost is mixed, a little wood ash can be added (wood ash is a good source of potassium).
Mature compost looks and smells like earth, but is darker and has a looser texture. When using compost on the garden, any organic material that has not yet decomposed should be added back into the compost. There is no need to work the compost into the ground; it is easier to just sprinkle it on the top and leave the rest to the worms.
When to Spread Compost
After 2–3 months before sowing the first seeds, we should spread compost on the ground. Then, by the time we come to sow, we will have perfect, loose garden soil. It is not worth spreading compost on frozen earth because the majority of the nitrogen will be lost by the time the worms begin to work it into the ground.
Article written by Hungary association, Öko-völgy Alapítvány
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