Composting 101Composting 101

What is compost?What is compost?

Organic (contains carbon) material that can be used as a soil additive.

Comes from decomposing organic household waste and yard waste.

Organic (contains carbon) material that can be used as a soil additive.

Comes from decomposing organic household waste and yard waste.

Purpose of CompostPurpose of Compost

Compost is rich in nutrients such as nitrogen, phosophorus, and potassium.

Compost protects plants against diseases.

Compost provides a neutral pH soil structure for plant growth.

Compost is rich in nutrients such as nitrogen, phosophorus, and potassium.

Compost protects plants against diseases.

Compost provides a neutral pH soil structure for plant growth.

HumusHumusMature compost that has reached a stable level and will not break down any furtherProvides essential nutrients for plant growth and increases water absorptionThis is the end goal we are looking for!

Mature compost that has reached a stable level and will not break down any furtherProvides essential nutrients for plant growth and increases water absorptionThis is the end goal we are looking for!

Decompose?Decompose?

Decomposition: process by which organic material breaks down into simpler matter.

Decomposers: microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi that aid in the process of decomposition.

Decomposition: process by which organic material breaks down into simpler matter.

Decomposers: microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi that aid in the process of decomposition.

LeachateLeachate

A liquid extracted from compost that contains nutrientsUsed to help plant growth by raising the nutrient levels

A liquid extracted from compost that contains nutrientsUsed to help plant growth by raising the nutrient levels

How does it work? (strategies/recommendations)How does it work? (strategies/recommendations)

MaterialsTemperatureAerationMoistureTIME

MaterialsTemperatureAerationMoistureTIME

1. MATERIALS1. MATERIALS

Organic materials (containing carbon) can be used in compost.

Kitchen scraps: vegetable and fruit waste, coffee grounds, paper, egg cartons, egg shells, etc.

Yard waste: grass clippings, leaves, dirt.

Organic materials (containing carbon) can be used in compost.

Kitchen scraps: vegetable and fruit waste, coffee grounds, paper, egg cartons, egg shells, etc.

Yard waste: grass clippings, leaves, dirt.

Materials that speed up decomposition…

Materials that speed up decomposition…

Materials that take a long time to break down

Materials that take a long time to break down

Larger pieces of wood generally takes a while to decompose.

Larger pieces of wood generally takes a while to decompose.

Materials to avoid:Materials to avoid:

Meat, bones, dairy and fish can be harmful

Trash such as aluminum, plastic, metal, etc. do not decompose and should not be used in a pile.

Meat, bones, dairy and fish can be harmful

Trash such as aluminum, plastic, metal, etc. do not decompose and should not be used in a pile.

2. TEMPERATURE2. TEMPERATURE

Compost goes through three temperature phases during the decomposition process ranging from 40-50 degrees Celsius (120-160 F).

Compost should be turned so that outer materials can be rotated towards the center of the pile in order to decompose.

Compost goes through three temperature phases during the decomposition process ranging from 40-50 degrees Celsius (120-160 F).

Compost should be turned so that outer materials can be rotated towards the center of the pile in order to decompose.

Temperature GraphTemperature Graph

*Watch Out**Watch Out*

If compost reaches 65 or higher degrees Celsius, that is too hot and may kill the microorganisms decomposing the material.

If compost reaches 65 or higher degrees Celsius, that is too hot and may kill the microorganisms decomposing the material.

3. AERATION3. AERATION

It is important to turn the pile frequently in order to replenish oxygen sources towards the center of the pile.

Oxygen is needed by the microorganisms in order to decompose.

It is important to turn the pile frequently in order to replenish oxygen sources towards the center of the pile.

Oxygen is needed by the microorganisms in order to decompose.

4. MOISTURE4. MOISTURE

Microorganisms thrive in a warm and moist environment.

Too much water can block air passage through the compost pile and suffocate the microorganisms.

Microorganisms thrive in a warm and moist environment.

Too much water can block air passage through the compost pile and suffocate the microorganisms.

5. TIME5. TIME

Decomposition is a lengthy process, and it is important to give the materials time to decompose.

Choosing easily compostable materials is key, as is adding organisms such as worms.

Decomposition is a lengthy process, and it is important to give the materials time to decompose.

Choosing easily compostable materials is key, as is adding organisms such as worms.

DING: Finished!DING: Finished!

Compost is ready to use when it is a rich brown color and breaks apart easily. It should also have a sweet, earthy smell.

Composting can take anywhere between 3-6 months depending on the conditions of the pile, so be patient!

Compost is ready to use when it is a rich brown color and breaks apart easily. It should also have a sweet, earthy smell.

Composting can take anywhere between 3-6 months depending on the conditions of the pile, so be patient!

Now your ready to growsome stuff!

Now your ready to growsome stuff!