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History of composting Started with use of manure
in Mesopotamia References in Bible and
Talmud New England farmers: “10
parts muck to 1 part fish” Early 20th century: Plant
nutrients were discovered – chemical fertilizers replaced composting
Sir Albert Howard wrote An Agriculture Testament in 1943
J.I. Rodale – popularized organic farming in the U.S.
Mesopotamia
Aerobic bacteria (require O2)◦Psychrophilic – active between 55 and 70 F
◦Mesophilic – 70 to 100 F◦Thermophilic – 113 to 160F
Composting and microbes
Actinomycetes – ◦Higher-form bacteria◦Responsible for earthy smell◦Decompose tough materials (lignin, cellulose)
◦Populations rise during the later stages
Other compost actors
Food – carbon and nitrogenAir - oxygenMoisture – keep moist, not wet
Good drainage
Keeping them alive
Carbon for energy◦ Dry and brown such as leaves, straw, and wood
chips◦ Decompose slowly
Nitrogen for growth and reproduction◦ Wet and green such as fresh grass clippings and
food waste◦ Decompose quickly
Carbon and Nitrogen
2 parts carbon-rich to 1 part nitrogen-rich
40 to 65% moisture Too dry – process is
slowed Too wet – leads to
anaerobic (low oxygen) conditions
Keeping it moist
Temperature – hot composting occurs between 110 and 160 F
Particle size – 1/8 to 2 inches Volume – 3 x 3 x 3 feet is optimal
Things to monitor
Appropriate length to reach the center of your compost pile
Clear, easy to read display
Made of stainless steel or other non-rusting material
Temperature range from 0-200 degrees Fahrenheit
Display is hermetically sealed, preventing fogging
Composting thermometers
Fresh and colorful (“green”) materials◦Fresh lawn/garden waste◦Animal manure (from herbivores only)
◦Non-animal-based kitchen wastes◦Garden and canning waste◦Fruits and vegetables
What to Compost
Dry or woody (“Brown”) materials◦Dry leaves, cornstalks◦Wood chips (chipped fine)◦Weed-free hay or straw◦Sawdust◦Shredded paper
What to compost
Meat or fishBonesFats, grease, lard or oilsLarge branchesDairy productsSynthetic productsPlasticsPet wastes
What not to compost
Nitrogen source
% Nitrogen Cups to apply
Urea 46 4Ammonium nitrate 33 6Calcium nitrate 15 13Dried blood meal 12 16Fish meal 10 20
Provides 1 lb. N per cubic yard
Source: Backyard Composting in Utah, Utah State University
How do I know when it’s done?
Dark brown and crumbly (fluffy) with an earthy odor.
Original materials should not be recognizable.
Temperature same or a bit higher than outside air.
Should not reheat. May see earthworms and
insects. Should not be hot, moldy or
smell like ammonia!
Leave finished compost in a pile for up to one month.
Decomposition of larger hidden particles may continue
Compost “stabilizes” Ensures the process is complete before you apply to planted areas.
Curing your compost
Problem Possible cause
Smells bad Compacted;Too much moisture
Pile damp but won’t heat Not enough N;Materials too wet
Dry and not composting Not enough water
Ammonia odor Too much nitrogen
Pile temperature too high Pile too large;Insufficient ventilation
Pile temperature too low Pile too small; not enough moisture; poor aeration; lack of nitrogen
Trouble-shooting
Tremorgenic mycotoxin poisoning◦Agitation◦Lack of coordination◦Panting◦Drooling◦Vomiting◦Tremors◦Seizures◦Untreated = death
Keep pets (and other critters) safe
Compost tea is not the dark-colored solution that leaks from the bottom of the compost pile (do not spray this on food crops!)
Compost tea is the extract of compost made suspending compost in a barrel of water (aerated or unaerated) for a short period of time (up to a week).
What is compost tea?
Provides nutrients (amounts and types depend upon ingredients used to make the compost)
Disease suppression (maybe?)◦ 50% less powdery mildew on grapes◦ Slight reduction of gray mold◦ INCREASE in downy mildew
Rodale Institute and Pennsylvania State University, recent unpublished work
What does compost tea do?
What compost tea does NOT do:
Improve soil structure
Help retain nutrients Help retain moisture Improve soil aeration Lower soil pH
Compost does all of these things!
Use only potable water. Sanitize all equipment. Use only compost that has maintained a
temp of 131 F for 3 days (use hot composting method).
Avoid additives (esp. simple sugars like molasses)
Must be used within 24 hours of making it.
If you decide to make compost tea:
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