Compost Happens. Pam Brown, Garden Coach Pampered Gardeners, LLC pamperedgardeners.com

Transcription

1 Compost Happens Pam Brown, Garden Coach Pampered Gardeners, LLC pamperedgardeners.com

2 What is: Compost? The partially decomposed remains of plants and other organic materials. Composting? The controlled decomposition of organic materials by microorganisms. Humus? The final state of decomposition of compost.

3 Why Compost? Recycle yard and kitchen waste Improve soil Support living soil organisms Reduce rate of nutrient release and buffer soil from chemical imbalance Improve plant and root growth Suppress plant disease

4 What Can be Composted? Leaves and yard waste Grass and lawn clippings Wood chips and sawdust Kitchen wastes Manure

5 What Not to Compost Human or pet wastes Chemically treated wood products Meat, bones, or fatty food wastes Dairy products Diseased plants or weeds** Plants treated with pesticides **weeds and diseased plants may be composted in hot/fast composting piles

6 Compost Pile Elements Water Air Heat Particle size Carbon to Nitrogen (C/N) ratio

7 Water Microbes need water to thrive Ideal moisture level is % Compost should feel moist, but not soggy Add water as you are building your pile check your moisture level regularly

8 Air Helps: Microbes work efficiently Reduce unpleasant odors Aerate by: Adding bulky items Turning the pile periodically

9 Pile Temperature Depends on: Pile size Available oxygen Moisture content Ranges: F most effective F destroys diseases and weed seeds.

10 Particle Size Smaller particles=faster compost Chip small limbs and twigs Shred leaves Reduces overall size of pile Particles can be too small Saw dust use sparingly

11 Carbon to Nitrogen Ratio Food for the microbes Carbon is an energy source Nitrogen provides raw element of protein Browns and Greens Brown = Carbon Green = Nitrogen Optimum C/N Ratio:30/1 or Less

12 Optimum C/N Ratio: 30/1 or Less Sawdust/Wood 600:1 Corn Stalks 60:1 Straw 80:1 Pine needles 60:1 Newspaper :1 Coffee grounds 20:1 Cow Manure 20:1 Grass Clippings 20:1 Table Scraps 15:1 Veggie Trimmings 12:1 Oak leaves 26:1

13 Browns - Decompose slowly unless mixed with greens Provide carbon, the energy source Examples: Straw, leaves Chipped branches, tree trimmings Paper Sawdust

14 Greens - Decompose quickly Provide nitrogen, food source High in water Examples grass, green leaves, kitchen scraps, and manure Inorganic fertilizers Coffee grounds

15 Composting Players - Nature s Helpers

16 Earthworms Move into the pile when it cools Process and incorporate organic matter Increase aeration by creating channels in compost.

17 Composting Methods Cold or "Slow" Composting Sheet Composting Trench Composting Cold Bin Composting Heap Composting

18 Hot or Fast Composting Minimum size 3 x3 x3 Greens and browns (C:N Ratio) Proper moisture content Frequent turning to provide aeration Particle size of less than 2"-3"

19 Constructing the Pile Two ways to start your compost pile: Sandwich method: Layer compost materials, Alternate green and brown in 3-4 inch layers. Water each layer as you build End with a brown layer Mix it method: Mix everything before placing in the bin Add water as you go

20 Adding More Bury new material deep into the pile Start a new pile or new section in the pile to allow the first to stabilize and finish New materials are a microbe food base

21 Managing the Pile Monitor - smell: turn if you have odors moisture: add water as you turn or build temperature: turn if the pile is 100 degrees 150 degrees

22 Managing the Pile Turn to Re-heat Add air (oxygen) Destroy undesirables Break up clumps and layers Keep the smell down

23 Curing or Finishing Allow pile to cool Do not add more material Earthworms really assist at this time One month to a year Screen to remove large chunks

24 Helpful Tips Run over leaves with a mower before adding Keep pitchfork on site Cover pile with leaves or paper to avoid ants Water and turn at the same time with friend

25 Compost Uses Soil amendment Increases organic matter Gives sandy soils body to hold moisture Breaks up clay soils so they drain Mulch Potting Mix Compost Tea

26 Composters Cage Compost Units

27 Three Bin Unit

28 Earth Machine Soil Saver

29 Envirocycle Compostumbler

30 Questions?