Transcript Compost In nature, one’s waste is another’s food! Composting • Compost is the biological reduction of organic wastes to humus.

Compost
In nature, one’s waste
is another’s food!
Composting
• Compost is the biological reduction of
organic wastes to humus
Compost
• Compost is the biological decomposition
of organic matter under controlled
aerobic conditions.
• In contrast, fermentation is the anaerobic
decomposition of organic matter
Why compost?
• Up to 75% of household waste is organic or
carbon-based material.
• Composting reduces materials dumped in
landfills
• Environmentally conscious way of reducing
waste
carbon dioxide (CO2)
(0.04% in the atmosphere)
respiration
in stems
and leaves
photosynthesis
root respiration
and soil organic
matter
decomposition
crop harvest
crop and
animal
residues
carbon in
soil
organic matter
erosion
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.
nitrogen gas (N2)
atmospheric fixation
or
fertilizer production
NH4+ and
NO3nitrogen
fixation
(78% of atmosphere)
volatilization
crop harvest
crop and
animal
residues
legumes
NH4++OHfree-living
bacteria
ammonium
NH4+
NH3+H2O
nitrogen in
soil
organic matter
immobilization
plant
uptake
erosion
denitrification
nitrate
NO3-
-
NO3
N2 + N2O
leaching to
groundwater
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.
Why compost?
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Save money (cheaper than peat moss)
Increase tilth (soil structure, aeration, fertility)
Adds macro- and micro-nutrients
Increases CEC and acts as a pH buffer
Provides energy source for soil microbes and
earthworms
• Used as a mulch can keep down weeds
Factors affecting composting
Factors affecting composting
• Temperature- internal temp between 70°
& 140°F. Decomposition occurs if the
pile is above freezing. (thermophillic)
Temperature
If temperature goes above 150°F,
turn the pile!
Factors affecting composting
• Oxygen- aerobic decomposition is
necessary. If the pile smells bad… it is
because there isn’t enough oxygen getting
inside!
Factors affecting composting
• Moisture- 50% moisture is best. Cover
with a tarp if rainy to keep from getting
too wet or too dry.
• Should feel like a sponge that has been
wrung-out
Factors affecting composting
• Nutrients- Carbon to Nitrogen ratio (C:N)
– Optimal = 25:1 (range from 20:1 to 40:1)
• High C Materials: Straw, hay, woody materials,
dried corn stalks, paper wastes
– Wood chips = 400:1
• High N Materials: Manures, green material
(grass clippings*), food wastes. Nitrogen
fertilizer can also be added.
– Grass clippings = 12:1
Factors affecting composting
*CAUTION- if you use herbicides/insecticides
on your lawn, these may remain in the
clippings and can sometimes cause problems
to plants where you incorporate the compost
later!!
Factors affecting composting
• Time- process can take 2 weeks to 2 years
depending on the carbon source and
other factors mentioned
• Organic materials buried in a landfill
may never decompose because of a lack
of oxygen
Factors affecting composting
“Equal weights of green and brown, helps
the microbes break it down!”
Ways to speed composting
• Chopping or shredding materials into small
pieces
• Mix equal amounts of green (high nitrogen)
and brown (high carbon) materials
• Turn pile regularly
• Keep moist but not wet
Types of composting set-ups
Types of composting set-ups
• Bins generally range from 3’ x 3’ x 3’ to
5’ x 5’ x 5’
• Taller bins have weight which
compressed the lower material and does
not allow enough air in for aerobic
composting
• Multiple bins, called “turning bins” allow
a faster decomposition process
Types of composting set-ups
Types of composting set-ups
Chicken wire cage
Types of composting set-ups
Plastic bins
Types of composting set-ups
Types of composting set-ups
Types of composting set-ups
Types of composting set-ups
Types of composting set-ups
Types of composting set-ups
Types of composting set-ups
Types of composting set-ups
Types of composting set-ups
Types of composting set-ups
Types of composting set-ups
Things that should not go
into a compost pile
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Meat (beef/poultry/fish)
Non-ground bones
Diseased plants
Grease/fat/oil
Used kitty litter
Colored newspaper/circulars
Treated wood or sawdust
Dairy products
Weeds/seeds
Human/dog/cat waste
Vermicomposting
• Using worms to digest organic matter into
compost
• Suitable for use indoors
Vermicomposting
• http://www.terracycle.net/index.htm
Vermicomposting
The vermicomposting bin
Vermicomposting worms
• Eisenia foetida (red wigglers NOT earthworms)
• 1 pound of worms (approx. 1,000 worms) can
eat 1 pound of food in 2 days
• Need temperatures between 45 - 80F
Vermicomposting “food”
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Fruit and veggie scraps and peels
Coffee grounds
Tea bags
Rinsed, crushed egg shells
Pasta and rice
Bread (not moldy)
Dead cut flowers
Shredded black and white newspaper for
bedding on top of food scraps (reduces
problems with fruit flies)
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/
Taking a soil sample
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Take a sample from a representative area
Take 10 cores minimum for home garden
Make a composite sample (mix cores in a bag)
Dig down 4-6” for turf
Dig down 6-10” for tilled vegetable crops
Send soil in using an approved bag mailer
If you must store it, put in a refrig.
Do not leave in a car or store in a hot location
Taking your own soil pH
• 2 parts soil to 1 part distilled water
• Mix well
• Use pH paper which changes color according to
how acidic or basic the solution is, or use a pH
meter which gives you a direct reading IF
properly maintained and calibrated.
• More info.:
– http://ctr.uvm.edu/ctr/oh/oh34.htm
pH of common items
Acidic
• Hydrochloric acid 0.1
• Sulfuric acid (battery) 1
• Stomach juices 1 – 3
• Lemon juice 2.3
• Vinegar 2.4 – 3.4
• Apple juice 2.9 – 3.3
• Grapefruit juice 3 – 3.3
• Soft drinks 3.5
• Orange juice 3 – 4
• Tomato & tomato juice 4.2
• Grapes 3.5 – 4.5
• Acid rain
5.2
• Normal rain 5.7
• Maple syrup 6.5-7
• Distilled water 7.0 (neutral)
Basic
• Human blood 7.35 – 7.45
• Sea water 7.36 – 8.21
• Eggs 7.6 – 8
• Baking soda 8.0
• Milk of magnesia 10.5
• Ammonia water 11.6