Composting is a good way to reuse our natural resources, recycle nutrients and add good organic matter back into the soil.
The popular practice of composting is defined as the process by which organic materials biologically decompose under
controlled conditions. Perhaps the most notable point about
composting is not to make it more complicated than it is. By merely throwing a pile
of twigs and leaves in the back corner of the garden, you are composting; of
course, it may take a year or so to breakdown.
But by following a few simple rules you can speed up the
process and produce good compost in about a month or so. The following are key principles:
a. Proper moisture and air (oxygen) content -
Compost works best if the moisture content of the materials is about 50%. That’s not easy to measure, but it has been
estimated to be approximately the moisture content of a wrung-out sponge. If the material is too dry, decomposition
will stop; if too wet, oxygen is excluded, and decomposition will slow and may smell bad.
b. Proper
carbon/nitrogen ratio - For effective composting, the raw materials must have a
proper carbon/nitrogen ratio – set at about 30:1. Since this too cannot be easily measured, mixing equal volumes of green plant material with
equal amounts of brown plant material will give this ratio. The greens are fresh moist materials like
grass clippings, weeds, manures and kitchen scraps. The browns are dry materials such as twigs, wood chips, straw, saw dust
and paper. If a pile of twigs are thrown
to the side, they will eventually decompose. When leaves (greens) are
combined with the twigs (browns) in the proper ratios, decomposition will occur
more rapidly.
Mixing grass
clippings with twigs or chips is not only good for obtaining the proper ratio
but also helps to maintain a good oxygen level.
Grass clippings or shredded papers alone tend to mat and exclude
oxygen. Adding twigs helps to open the
pile allowing a better movement of air.
c. Proper
size of material - Soft, succulent plant tissue doesn’t need to be chopped into
small pieces because it will decompose rapidly. Woody
materials, however, will decompose better if pieces are ½ to 1 ½ inches in size: the smaller
the pieces the quicker the decomposition.
d. Proper
pile size - The size of the compost pile is important. The minimal size is 3 cubic feet (3x3x3).
Maximum size would be around 5x5 and as long as desired.
e. Proper
turning- Turning the pile is not required but will certainly speed up the
process if turned every day to every ten days. Turning helps ensure proper air
circulation, moisture and heat distribution.
What should NOT be put into the
compost pile?
Meat, fat, manure from meat-eating animals as well as human waste. Manure from
herbivores such as goats, cows, horses, rabbits and even elephants can be
used. Don't throw diseased
plants into the compost pile, because the pile may not reach the temperatures
that are required to kill plant diseases and weed seeds.
Finally, here’s how to know when the composting is ready: the majority of the pile has become dark, loose, crumbly and
sweet smelling. Also, the original materials
will not be recognizable with the exception of a few pieces of tough woody
material.
