Composting and Good Soils: A Gardener s Best Tools

Composting and Good Soils: A Gardener s Best Tools

The Importance of Cycles

Back to the Basics: Elements (Atoms Molecules Everything!)

Chemistry is all around (and in) us!

Healthy Soils: The basis for healthy plants Promote development of beneficial microbial communities (bacteria/fungi) Restore nutrients that have been depleted through mismanagement/neglect Allow plants easy access to air, moisture and nutrients including carbon Play an important role in mitigating climate change, through reduction of greenhouse gases

Where is the Carbon?

A Few Definitions: "Global warming" refers to the long-term increase in Earth's average surface temperature. (1.8 degrees F) "Climate change" refers to any long-term change in Earth's climate, or in the climate of a region or city. This includes warming, cooling and changes besides temperature. The Greenhouse Effect refers to the natural process that traps heat from solar radiation via a layer of atmospheric gases (such as CO2, CH4 and N2O) that surround the Earth.

Atmospheric CO2 Concentrations

Human-Caused CO2 Emissions vs. Atmospheric CO2 Concentrations

How can soils sequester Carbon? Soils: CO2 + CaO = CaCO3 or CO2 + MgO = MgCO3 Plants: send C to soil through photosynthesis. Microbes breakdown C so plants can access, and contribute to the formation of aggregates where C can hide, protecting SOC from decomposition.

The Basic Process of Life Do plants make their own food?

In Summary, soils, managed properly, have tremendous potential to store carbon, solving two problems.

Soils 101 Soil Formation Factors: ClORPT: Climate, Organisms, Relief, Parent Material and Time Soil Texture: Sand/Silt/Clay Soil Structure: Aggregates protect organic matter. Organic matter builds aggregates. Soil Biology and Chemistry: Good soil management fosters diverse soil biology and active soil chemistry which increases resilience and nutrient availability

Soils 101: Texture

Sustainable Soil Health Management Practices for Gardeners Low/no till Cover cropping and continuous cover (AMF) Adding organic matter (compost, mulch, manures) Crop Rotations and Intercropping

Cover Crops and Continuous Cropping Bare/disturbed soils are unproductive and release carbon into the atmosphere as CO2. Cover crops keep carbon in the soil and also: Retain soil and minimize erosion/water runoff Legumes fix N Foster mycorrhizal fungi Reduce compaction/increase aeration Suppress weeds Add soil organic matter Attract beneficial insects/pollinators

Best Cover Crops for Northeast Gardens* Spring: Clovers, Buckwheat, Hairy Vetch Late Summer: Oats/Peas mixture, Buckwheat *Note: Rye, though recommended, can be very invasive and hard to control, as well as allelopathic *www.gardening.cornell/edu/factsheets/ecogardening/impsoil.html

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi A symbiosis between fungus and root (+80% of all plants have it). Nutrient/H20 superhighway AMF hyphae produces glomalin, a glycoprotein that helps create stable soil aggregates (structure)

Crop Rotations, Intercropping & Succession Planting Take advantage of spaces in the garden, both physical and seasonal Maximize yield and interest Build soil health through plant variety/diversity

Benefits of Backyard Composting Waste Reduction Greenhouse Gas Reduction (CO2, CH4,) Creation of Organic Matter

Waste Reduction U.S. Household Trash Generation: 3/4 ton per person per year (4.3 lbs./day) 25% is food/yard waste (45 m tons) 40% of all food produced is discarded

Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Reduction Diverting organic matter from landfills reduces methane (CH4) emissions by facilitating aerobic decomposition. Utilizing compost keeps carbon in the soil, reducing formation of CO2 and feeding soil microorganism

The Soil Food Web

5 Essentials of Composting 1. Carbon:Nitrogen (C:N) Ratio 2. Volume 3. Moisture 4. Aeration 5. Surface Area

Five Essentials of Composting: 1. Carbon:Nitrogen (C:N) Ratio Materials High in Carbon: (2 parts) Browns : Dry, brown materials such as leaves, straw, paper, woodchips, sawdust Materials High in Nitrogen: (1 part) Greens : Moist, fresh materials such as vegetative food scraps and garden waste Always cover greens with browns!

Ratios of common materials

What can you Compost? Yes! No!

Composting High Carbon Materials Only (compensate for low N by adding moisture)

Five Essentials of Composting: 2. Volume

Five Essentials of Composting 3. Moisture

Five Essentials of Composting: 4. Aeration

Five Essentials of Composting: 5. Surface Area

Composting Methods: Hot (batching) vs. Cool

Composting Systems: Heap or Pile

Composting Systems: Manufactured Open Holding Bins

Composting Systems: Homemade Open Holding Bins

Composting Systems: Enclosed Holding Bins

Composting Systems: Turning Barrels, Manufactured and Homemade

Composting Systems: Multiple Bins Provide Flexibility

Regardless of system, leave room to turn the pile.

Composting Tools: Compost Fork Spade Thermometer Turning tool Accelerators

Composting Kitchen Scraps Separately

Soil Incorporation

Worm Composting (Vermicomposting)

Using Finished Compost (A soil amendment, not a fertilizer)

Using Finished Compost: Plant Nutrient Overview

Using Finished Compost: Some Benefits Improves soil health, tilth, structure, making life better for plants and soil organisms Conserves moisture (enabling nutrient uptake) and moderates soil temperature, reducing plant stress Neutralizes soil ph, which increases nutrient availability Organic matter fuels microbial activity, making minerals available to plants and reducing the need for chemical inputs and reducing NPS pollution Suppresses pathogens, reducing plant diseases Etc., etc., etc.

Using Finished Compost: ph and Nutrient Availability Using Finished Compost:

Using Finished Compost Top or Side Dress Potting Mix Soil Incorporation (herbaceous plants only) Seed Starting Mix (mature compost) Compost Tea

Soil Test

Virginia Lamb Groundwork Education and Consulting vlamb@groundworkec.com 347-262-0704