Compost

Compost arrangement in the shape of a circle (horseshoe). The heap is set up in layers and from one end of the circle to the other end. The finished compost is removed to make space for new material. Fresh compost material is temporarily stored in the middle of the circle.

This page is to prepare and collect information for one or more chapters in the course. --John Eagles 09:34, 22 December 2011 (PST)

Chunks of information

• Important to get good compost is to have the right mix of materials. I use soil, animal manure, grass clippings, weeds that were taken out from the garden, used coffee grounds, straw etc.

The bacteria that transform organic material into compost need oxygen, water and the right mix of carbon (C) and nitrogen N). The ideal mix is C:N = 30:1. Fresh grass clippings have an average ratio of about 15 to 1 and dry autumn leaves about 50 to 1 depending on species. Mixing equal parts by volume approximates the ideal C:N range. Some more examples: sawdust 200-750:1, cow manure 10-30:1, soil 12:1, etc. See this article for more details http://www.grow-it-organically.com/compost-ingredients.html

• I also always add agricultural lime, lava flour and clay grains (bentonite). I scatter a few hands full of these materials on top of each layer that ideally already has a perfect or near-perfect mix of C:N.
• After about 1 to 2 months the pile can be re-handled. Inside the pile already much of the compost is ready and i throw it on top of a big sieve (you can see it in the photo) to separate the fine material from the rough parts. What doesn't go through the sieve goes back on the compost heap.
• Liquid cow manure contains substances that are poisonous for a healthy life of micro-organisms in the soil. When however the cow manure is composted it can be made into a fertilizer that smells pleasantly and is good for the soil.

"Adding oxygen & carbon to liquid manure enables microbes to feed on the ammonia in the manure." (http://eap.mcgill.ca/MagRack/SF/Summer%2091%20M.htm)

"Aerobic bacteria manage the chemical process by converting the inputs into heat, carbon dioxide and ammonium. The ammonium is further converted by bacteria into plant-nourishing nitrites and nitrates through the process of nitrification." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compost)

• I got 3 m3 of old liquid cow manure in a cellar. We added 6 m3 of saw dust, which contains mainly carbon and minerals but very little nitrogen. The photo shows these substances. They will be mixed further and then used on a compost heap, adding other organic materials that aid the composting process.
• In nature cows defecate 'proportionally,' meaning that they leave small heaps of manure in the grass. Animals like the cockchafer pull the manure deeply underground. Grass dies and mixes with the manure. Always oxygen is present abundantly and the substance composts in a natural manner feeding the soil. But present-day farming produces big quantities of liquid manure. There's little oxygen in it, almost no carbon content and the healthy micro-organisms that would normally break down the manure cannot do their work.
• When farmers inject a field with big tanks of liquid cow manure, you can often see seagulls visiting the place. Why is that? The rain worms, if they are still present, don't like the manure and try to escape to the surface, where they fall prey to the birds. When a field is treated too frequently in this way, the rain worms all die.
• Goat manure is quite different as it comes in small droppings and it is mixed with straw when it leaves the shed. I also put it on the compost heap. I don't know how it is on big goat farms, they probably have some liquid manure too but it will be thinner than cow manure and goats don't drink very much.

Gallery

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  Compost arrangement. Preparing compost to fertilize the soil is one of the most important things to do in a garden.

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  Making compost from liquid cow manure. Liquid cow manure contains substances that are poisonous for a healthy life of micro-organisms in the soil. When however the cow manure is composted it can be made into a fertilizer that smells pleasantly and is good for the soil.

See also

• Gardening courses
• Knowledge base:Gardening