Making Gourmet Compost

8/8/2019 Making Gourmet Compost

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Making Gourmet

Compost

By: Duane MarcusThe Funny Farm

Stone Mountain, Ga

www.funnyfarmatl.com
http://www.funnyfarmat.com/http://www.funnyfarmat.com/http://www.funnyfarmat.com/


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Composting Defined

Composting is the process of

utilizing the aerobic organisms in

the soil food web to quickly break

down organic materials to create

organic matter and humus and to

make the nutrients bound up in

organic materials available to plants


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Why Make Compost?

1.ADD BENEFICIAL ORGANISMS TO SOIL

2.RECYCLE NUTRIENTS CAPTURED BY PLANTS

3.IMPROVE SOIL STRUCTURE

4.REDUCE WATER NEEDS

5.SUPPRESS DISEASE CAUSING ORGANISMS

6.DEGRADE TOXINS IN SOIL

7.KEEP ORGANIC WASTES OUT OF LANDFILLS

8.REDUCE WATER POLLUTION

9.ELIMINATE NEED FOR CHEMICAL

FERTILIZERS

10.ELIMINATE NEED FOR CHEMICAL PESTICIDES


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PLANTSFEED BACTERIA &

FUNGI

ORGANIC MATTER

-LEAVES-FRUIT & SEEDS

-ROOTS-STEMS

-BRANCHES-BARK

BACTERIASTORE NUTRIENTS

FUNGISTORE NUTRIENTS

CONSUME TOUGH STUFF

LIKE BARK, WOODCONSUME SOFT STUFF

LIKE LEAVES, FRUIT

PROTOZOA(FLAGELLATES,

AMOEBAE, CILIATES)

RELEASE

NUTRIENTS

NEMATODESRELEASE NUTRIENTS

MITESRELEASE

NUTRIENTS

CONSUME BACTERIA,

NEMATODES &

EACH OTHER CONSUME BACTERIA

& FUNGI

CONSUME FUNGI

LARGER

PREDATORSWORMS, SOW BUGS,

ANS, MILLIPEDES,

SPIDERS

RELEASE NUTRIENTS

PREDATORY

MITESRELEASE

NUTRIENTS

PREDATORY

NEMATODESRELEASE

NUTRIENTS

RELEASE NUTRIENTS

IN FORMS PLANTS

CAN USE

RELEASE NUTRIENTS

IN FORMS PLANTS

CAN USE

FEED EXUDATES

BACTERIA IN

RETURN FOR

NUTRIENTS

FEED EXUDATES

FUNGI IN

RETURN FOR

NUTRIENTS

EXTRACT

NUTRIENTS

FROM SOILEXTRACT

NUTRIENTS

FROM SOIL

SOIL FOOD WEB DIAGRAM


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SHREDDERS

Break down organic litter and mulch


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Fungi

Continue breakdown of organic matter

extract nutrients from soil and mineral

fertilizers

transport water and nutrients to plants viamycelium

bind soil particles together which improvessoil structure and water retention


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Mycorrhizal fungi


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Bacteria

breakdown organic matter

extract nutrients from the soil and minerealfertilizers

make nutrients available to plants

bind soil particles together improving soil

structure and water retention

fix nitrogen from the atmosphere


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rhizobium bacteria colonizelegumes and fix nitrogen

from the atmosphere


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PROTOZOA

- flagellates, amoebae,ciliates

eat bacteria and fungi releasing nutrientsthat are available for plants to use

ciliates present in compost is an indication

of anaerobic conditions


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Testate amoeba


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Other members of the

soil food web nematodes - some eat bacteria, some eat

other nematodes, some eat plants

rotifers

mites

ants spiders


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Nematodes


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Rotifer

Unknown organism


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Earthworms


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Foodweb Analysis

Compost

Report prepared for:

The Urban Gardener Inc 09/01/2006

Duane Marcus 01-103216 | Submission:01-017664

347 Boulevard SE WORM

Atlanta, GA 30312-3350 USA

(404) 529-9977 1633

Report Sent:

Sample#:

Unique ID:

Plant:

Invoice Number:

[email protected] 08/28/2006Sample Received:

For interpretation of this report please contact:

Local Advisor: or regional lab

Consulting fees may apply

Soil Foodweb, Inc

[email protected]

(541) 752-5066

OrganismBiomass Data

Dry Weight ActiveBacterial

(g/g)

TotalBacterial

(g/g)

ActiveFungal(g/g)

TotalFungal(g/g)

HyphalDiameter

(m)

Results

Comments

0.190

Too Wet

0.45

0.85

239

Excellent

3281

Excellent

123

Excellent

5688

Excellent

3

15

25

100

3000

15

25

100

300

Results

Comments

14481

High

10000

14481

High

438

High

15.0

Low

Not Ordered

10000 50

100

20

30

Results

Comments

1.73

High

0.75

1.5

0.02

Good

0.07

Good

0.52

Low

100-150

0.01

0.1

0.01

0.1

0.75

1.5

Protozoa

Numbers/g

Flagellates Amoebae Ciliates

TotalNematodes

#/g

Percent MycorrhizalColonization

OrganismBiomass Ratios

Total Fungalto TotalBacterial

Active to TotalFungal

Active to TotalBacterial

Active Fungalto ActiveBacterial

Plant AvailableN Supply(lbs/acre)

Nematodes per Gram of Soil

Identification to genus

ExpectedRange

Low

High

ExpectedRange

Low

High

ExpectedRange

Low

High

Not Ordered

ECTOENDO

Bacterial Feeders

Cephalobus 2.04

Metadiplogaster 0.21

Panagrolaimus 0.07

Rhabditidae 0.56

728 SW Wake Robin Avenue Corvallis, OR 97333-1612 USA

(541) 752-5066 | [email protected]

www.soilfoodweb.com 01-103216: Page 1 of 2


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Foodweb Analysis

Compost

Report prepared for:

The Urban Gardener Inc 09/01/2006

Duane Marcus 01-103215 | Submission:01-017664

347 Boulevard SE HEN

Atlanta, GA 30312-3350 USA

(404) 529-9977 1633

Report Sent:

Sample#:

Unique ID:

Plant:

Invoice Number:

[email protected] 08/28/2006Sample Received:

For interpretation of this report please contact:

Local Advisor: or regional lab

Consulting fees may apply

Soil Foodweb, Inc

[email protected]

(541) 752-5066

OrganismBiomass Data

Dry Weight ActiveBacterial

(g/g)

TotalBacterial

(g/g)

ActiveFungal(g/g)

TotalFungal(g/g)

HyphalDiameter

(m)

Results

Comments

0.540

In Good Range

0.45

0.85

59.4

Excellent

4613

Excellent

237

Excellent

1555

Excellent

2.5

15

25

100

3000

15

25

100

300

Results

Comments

2564

Low

10000

8520

Low

788

High

25.3

Good

Not Ordered

10000 50100

2030

Results

Comments

0.34

Low

0.75

1.5

0.15

High

0.01

Good

4.00

High

100-150

0.01

0.1

0.01

0.1

0.75

1.5

Protozoa

Numbers/g

Flagellates Amoebae Ciliates

TotalNematodes

#/g

Percent MycorrhizalColonization

OrganismBiomass Ratios

Total Fungalto TotalBacterial

Active to TotalFungal

Active to TotalBacterial

Active Fungalto ActiveBacterial

Plant AvailableN Supply(lbs/acre)

Nematodes per Gram of Soil

Identification to genus

ExpectedRange

Low

High

ExpectedRangeLow

High

ExpectedRange

Low

High

Not Ordered

ECTOENDO

Bacterial Feeders

Cephalobus 11.34

Metadiplogaster 1.78

Panagrolaimus 0.27

Fungal/Root Feeders

Aphelenchoides Foliar nematode 0.27

728 SW Wake Robin Avenue Corvallis, OR 97333-1612 USA

(541) 752-5066 | [email protected]

www.soilfoodweb.com 01-103215: Page 1 of 2


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Why Make Compost?

1.ADD BENEFICIAL ORGANISMS TO SOIL

2.RECYCLE NUTRIENTS CAPTURED BY PLANTS

3.IMPROVE SOIL STRUCTURE

4.REDUCE WATER NEEDS

5.SUPPRESS DISEASE CAUSING ORGANISMS

6.DEGRADE TOXINS IN SOIL

7.KEEP ORGANIC WASTES OUT OF LANDFILLS

8.REDUCE WATER POLLUTION

9.ELIMINATE NEED FOR CHEMICAL

FERTILIZERS

10.ELIMINATE NEED FOR CHEMICAL PESTICIDES


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Types of Composting

Hot Composting - thermal composting Cold Composting

Vermicomposting - worm composting


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Requirements for

successful composting1.MICROORGANISMS

2.MOISTURE3.AERATION

4.FOODS FOR MICROORGANISMS

Compost is only as good as the ingredients that go into it- a soil test is required to determine if your plants will be

deficient in any nutrients


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Foods for Microorganisms T Y P E O F F O O D E X A M P L E S % F O R B A C T E R I A L

C O M P O S T% F O R F U N G A L C O M P O S T

HI - NITROGEN Manure, blood meal,

alfalfa meal, seeds, coffee

grounds, fish fertilizer,

brewery waste, grains and

seeds

10% 10%

GREEN MATTER Fresh garden trimmings,

kitchen waste, brewery

waste, spring or fall fescue

clippings or hay

50% 40%

WOODY MATTER Shredded leaves, sawdust,

wood chips40% 50%

Be careful of using too much manure based

compost. This can result in excess potassium

in the soil throwing off the phophorus/

potassium ratio


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Gourmet Compost Ingredients

Kelp Meal

Local Granite Sand - 810 sand

Green Sand

To add micronutrients

To add nitrogen

Whole oats or other seeds Alfalfa meal

Feather meal

cottonseed meal


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AERATION- Ingredients must include coarse as well as

fine particles to insure the pile does not

become anaerobic.- The pile must not stay saturated with

water to prevent anaerobic conditions

- The pile must be turned regularly torelease CO2 and incorporate oxygen


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MOISTURE

- The microorganisms require water to function. The pile must bekept moist but not so saturated that there is no space for air.

- Water must be added as you build or turn the pile to be sure it is

thoroughly incorporated. The water must not be chlorinated

because chlorine kills microorganisms. You can spray your pilewith a fine spray held away from the pile to let the chlorine

dissipate.

- Moisture levels should be maintained at 50%. Take a handful of

ingredients and squeeze it if water runs out the moisture level is70%(ok in the beginning). If a few drops run out it is 50%. If it

sticks together but no water runs out it is 40%. If it falls apart it is

30% or less. Add water immediately.


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TEMPERATURE- If organisms are present in sufficient quantities and the foods are present in

the correct proportions, the pile will heat up as the organisms consume the

foods.

- You should monitor the temperature with a compost thermometer. The

temperature in the middle of the pile must be above 135

for 3 days to kill weed seeds and disease-causing organisms. You need to turn

the pile to get all of the ingredients into the middle and heated to 135 for 3 days

to be sure all the compost at the end of the process has been heated sufficiently

to eliminate weeds and disease. Your pile should be turned 4-5 times.

- The temperature should never exceed 155. Above 155 all the oxygen will have

been consumed by the hard-working bacteria and fungi and the pile will go

anaerobic. Anaerobic organisms do some bad things to compost. They produce

alcohols and other chemicals that are toxic to good organisms. They combine

water and nitrogen into ammonia which is a gas. The ammonia gas escapes into

the air taking all the nitrogen your plants will need. If your pile smells like

ammonia(or vomit, or poop) you probably have anaerobic conditions. Turn the

pile immediately!


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C t Pil


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Compost Pile

Construction Minimum size 3x3x3 layer ingredients starting with woody

materials, then green, then high nitrogen,then gourmet ingredients

water thoroughly

repeat when all materials are used up turn the pile

to mix everything together


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Compost Pile

Maintenance Keep Moist

Turn weekly (or when interior

temperatures reach 155) repeat for 3

weeks or until pile no longer heats up

when turned

Turn monthly thereafter Should be ready in 6-9 months


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Using Compost

Pro erl Compost should be applied as a top-dressing

Apply no more than 1 at a time. 1/2 issufficient- too much compost can throwyour nutrient ratios out of balance

Apply each time a new crop is planted toboost the soil food web so nutrients will beavailable to your plants. Get a soil test

regularly.


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Vermicomposting


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Requirements for Successful

Vermicomposting1.MICROORGANISMS2.MOISTURE

3.AERATION4.FOODS FOR MICROORGANISMS

5.COMPOST WORMS -RED WIGGLERS

6.CONTAINER


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TYPES OF CONTAINERS


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WHAT CAN YOU PUT IN A WORM BIN?

DO PUT IN DONT PUT INVEGETABLE SCRAPS MEAT AND FAT

SHREDDED PAPER LOTS OF CITRUS

TORN CARDBOARD LOTS OF ONIONS

TOILET PAPER TUBES PET FECES

How do you get the


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How do you get theworms out?


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GROWING OYSTER MUSHROOMS ON


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GROWING OYSTER MUSHROOMS ONWASTE PAPER OR COFFEE GROUNDS


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Making Gourmet Compost

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