Compost is an essential ingredient for enhancing soil fertility and plays a crucial role in plant growth. It can assist any garden in acquiring readily available nutrients and organic matter, aiding in plant health. Compost is a naturally decomposed material produced from a mixture of organic waste, such as leaves, grass, kitchen scraps, and many other biodegradable materials. Composting is a natural process largely driven by microbes and soil organisms, which decompose organic matter autonomously. By incorporating compost into the soil, farmers and gardeners can fulfill the requirements of sustainable agriculture practices and organic gardening, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers to some extent.

How To Choose A Compost Bin

A compost bin is a specialized container designed to decompose garden and kitchen waste, such as fruit and vegetable scraps, leaves, and other organic materials. It provides a dedicated space for the composting process, facilitating proper mixing and maturation of the materials. Typically, it is a closed container that keeps the waste secure and ensures adequate airflow for effective decomposition. Compost bins come in various types and sizes. When choosing a compost bin, consider how you plan to use the compost and the amount of compost you need.

1. Small Compost Bin: For home use, a small compost bin or tumbler typically requires a space of about 1 to 2 square feet. These bins are suitable for small households or apartments with limited space. They are easy to manage, keep odors contained, and can be conveniently placed on a balcony or in a small garden.

2. Medium Compost Pile: A medium-sized compost pile or bin usually requires at least 3 feet by 3 feet (1 meter by 1 meter) of space. This size allows for efficient composting while being manageable for turning and aerating the compost. It’s a good option for families or households with moderate composting needs and can handle a variety of organic materials.

3. Large Compost Pile: For larger quantities of compost, such as in community gardens or on larger properties, a compost pile can be around 4 feet by 4 feet (1.2 meters by 1.2 meters) or larger. Larger piles can handle more material and produce compost more quickly, but they require more space and maintenance. This setup is ideal for those who generate a lot of organic waste or need large amounts of compost.

4. Multi-Tiered Systems: If using a multi-tiered composting system, ensure you have enough room for each tier and easy access for turning and maintaining the compost. Multi-tiered systems are efficient for maximizing space and can be particularly useful in smaller gardens. Space needs will vary based on the number of tiers and overall design, and they often come with built-in features for aeration and drainage.

You can purchase containers of specific sizes from a local supermarket based on your needs. If you prefer to build your own compost bin, you can create a stable structure using wooden pallets or cinder blocks. Plastic containers can also be used for compost bin construction, as various shapes and sizes are available that can be effective for composting. Remember, the compost bin or container should allow for adequate airflow, moisture control, and ease of mixing and maturing the materials.

Types Of Compost

Creating an ideal garden and ensuring the proper growth of plants requires compost, an essential component. Compost generally improves soil structure and water retention capacity, supplies nutrients, enhances microbial activity in the soil, increases soil fertility, prevents soil erosion, and provides nitrogen to the soil, thereby supporting the correct growth and essential nutrient supply of plants. However, if you do not supply the necessary compost according to the plants’ needs and do not prepare the compost correctly, your greenery can be harmed instead of benefited. Therefore, it is crucial to choose the right compost for the proper development of plants. There are mainly five types of compost: cold compost, hot compost, vermicompost, aerobic compost, and anaerobic compost. Below is a detailed discussion on these five types of compost:

Cold Compost

Cold composting is the most basic method of composting. It involves creating a compost pile of organic waste in your garden and letting it decompose naturally over time. Sheet composting involves collecting organic materials from your garden or your kitchen waste (such as fruit and vegetable peels, coffee grounds and filters, and eggshells and kitchen scraps) and layering them in a heap or bin for easy processing. The materials will decompose over approximately a year or later.

Hot Compost

Hot composting is a highly efficient process of rapid decomposition at high temperatures. This rapid breakdown is typically facilitated by effective bacteria in high-temperature environments, allowing organic materials to transform quickly and efficiently. Four key elements are necessary for this process: nitrogen, carbon, oxygen, and water. These items work together to create optimal conditions for the microbial life responsible for the composting process, accelerating it significantly. Well-managed compost piles can produce compost in as little as three months.

Vermicompost

Vermiculture means “worm farming”. It’s a type of composting process where specific types of soil-dwelling worms are used to aid in the advanced decomposition of organic waste and to produce a high-quality end product. It’s a mesophilic process that utilizes microorganisms and earthworms. These worms consume organic matter and castings on top, enriching it with nutrients such as nitrogen, and minerals like phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, and potassium. Any old-fashioned worm species won’t be successful in vermicomposting for casting production. For this, red worms or “Red Wigglers” are recommended because they consume food scraps to produce castings.

Aerobic & Anaerobic Compost

 Aerobic composting systems rely on the presence of oxygen for microorganisms to break down organic matter and create compost. In this method, proper aeration is necessary to ensure the right balance of oxygen in the compost. Turning or mixing the compost regularly helps maintain proper aeration by creating a conducive environment for aerobic bacteria to thrive and carry out decomposition effectively.

Creating an oxygen-rich environment is essential for the birth of microorganisms and the transformation of organic matter. An aerobic composting system ensures that there is sufficient oxygen available for these biological processes. Adequate ventilation in your compost bin is a crucial aspect of a healthy and efficient composting process. It allows for proper airflow, ensuring that aerobic bacteria can function optimally and break down organic material effectively.

 Anaerobic composting creates an environment where oxygen is absent, and microorganisms decompose organic matter without requiring aeration or agitation. Anaerobic composting systems rely on anaerobic bacteria in the absence of atmospheric oxygen. To function properly, these systems require a completely sealed environment to prevent any air from entering. Anaerobic composting is a slow process and is associated with odorous collections that may develop after anaerobic composting is completed.

How To Make Compost

Composting is a simple process that involves mixing carbon-based materials with nitrogen-based materials in the correct ratio, adding water and oxygen, which inspire plants to produce food. Many consider composting to be a daunting task. However, with some proper understanding, you can easily make compost at home. All you need for composting at home is an appropriate environment and some basic equipment. By following the steps below, you can easily make compost at home.

Add Green Brown Material

Green materials are rich in nitrogen, which is crucial for the composting process. Kitchen waste such as coffee grounds, legumes, fruit and vegetable scraps, fresh manure,grass clippings, lake weed are extremely beneficial for composting. When these materials are converted into compost, they enhance soil fertility and promote microbial life in the soil.

Grass clippings, leaves, and trimmings are among the most valuable green materials. They increase the amount of organic carbon in your compost and contribute to nutrient production, improving soil structure and fertility. Additionally, manure from livestock can be used as a fertilizer in composting.

Brown materials are rich in carbon. Items such as paper, cornstalks, sawdust, small branches, twigs, eggshells, hay, leaves, wood ash, tea bags, and straw fall into this category. When the nitrogen-to-carbon ratio in your compost pile is around 70/30, it functions as a perfect and nutritious compost. Therefore, whenever you add any brown material, make sure it is balanced with green materials to maintain a proper balance.

Add Water

Water is a crucial element for a proper compost pile. If you apply too little water, the pile may dry out, causing the composting process to either stall or take months. Conversely, adding too much water can make the pile excessively wet and soggy. This can waterlog the microorganisms, leading to anaerobic conditions where the decomposition process becomes inefficient, causing the pile to rot rather than compost properly.

Excessive water can also kill beneficial microorganisms essential for composting. Therefore, it’s important to maintain the right moisture level in the compost pile. Use a compost thermometer to monitor the temperature and ensure that the materials are breaking down effectively. If rainfall is insufficient, water the pile once a week to maintain the proper moisture level. Balancing moisture is key to ensuring that your compost pile remains moist but not overly wet, allowing for effective composting.

Turn The Pile Regularly

To work with a compost bin or a regular bin, you’ll need to turn your materials using a pitchfork. Take the outer portion of the pile towards the center, where each scoop can be turned upside down. Continue turning until you’re sure the materials have mixed well and the overall composition of the pile is correct. Keep turning until the materials are evenly distributed. Every time you turn the pile, ensure that the balance of the pile is maintained. 

Repeat this process every two to four weeks. If your pile maintains the correct temperature, is adequately moist, and the materials are regularly turned, usable compost should be ready within one to two months.

Harvest The Compost

When collecting compost, ensure that it is fully decomposed, dark, crumbly, and has an earthy smell. To collect it, gently lift the compost from the bin or pile using a shovel or garden fork. Then, sift it through a sieve to separate any large, unfinished materials. Return these materials to the decomposition process. The collected, finished compost can be spread in your garden to enhance soil fertility and promote plant growth, or used as potting soil for container plants

What Not To Put In Compost

Some materials can produce unpleasant odors during composting, which can contaminate the environment and attract rodents and other pests. Therefore, these materials should not be used in composting:

• Meat and fish
• Dairy products, oils, and fats
• Diseased plants or weeds
• Coal ash
• Manure from dogs, cats, and other pets
• Pesticides or acidic substances

Meat and fish decompose quickly and attract bacteria and insects, creating unpleasant odors and reducing the quality of compost. Dairy products, oils, and fats introduce oil and grease into compost, which can lower the temperature and attract pests and pathogens. Diseased plants and weeds can spread diseases and seeds, causing problems in your garden. Coal ash can contain harmful substances and alter soil pH, inhibiting plant growth. Dog and cat feces can carry pathogens dangerous to human health and degrade compost quality. Pesticides and acidic substances can alter soil pH and harm soil microorganisms and plant growth.

How To Use Compost

Compost, often referred to as Black Gold, is invaluable for enriching gardens and providing essential nutrients to plants. The best time to use compost depends on its maturity. Fully matured compost is ideal for use during the spring, summer, and fall. If you’ve made compost yourself, ensure it’s well-decomposed before applying it. You can spread a layer of compost around the base of plants, mix it into the soil before planting, or use it as a top dressing for lawns and garden beds. This practice helps improve soil structure, retain moisture, and promote healthy plant growth throughout the growing seasons.

Soil Improvement

Adding compost to soil is an excellent way to conserve water in the soil. It enriches the soil with vital nutrients, enhances soil properties, promotes biological activities, and aids in nutrient retention. Healthy and high-quality loamy soil develops over time, and incorporating organic matter into the soil makes it slightly acidic. Sandy soil, along with clay particles, does not retain water and nutrients properly, and adding organic matter helps keep the soil healthy by preventing excessive water and nutrient loss. Clay soil, with its high density, tends to become compacted, and adding organic matter helps loosen it and improves aeration.

Adding organic matter in the form of compost to the soil first aids in nutrient acquisition and helps maintain the stability of calcium, magnesium, potassium, etc., and soil pH. Apply compost to the soil at a depth of two to three inches once a year.

Fertilizer

Apply fertilizer regularly to ensure steady growth in bulb plants, fruiting plants, container plants, lawns, and both indoor and outdoor cultivation. For optimal results, choose a balanced fertilizer that meets the specific needs of your plants. Additionally, spread a layer of compost fertilizer over newly established plants. This organic matter enriches the soil, improves its texture, and provides essential nutrients that support root development, vigorous growth, and overall plant health. Compost also aids in water retention, reducing the need for frequent watering, and enhances soil fertility, promoting sustainable growth throughout the growing season.

Mulch

Sometimes compost is used as a mulch around plants, but it provides limited benefits. While compost generally enriches the soil and retains water within it, it doesn’t have the same nutrient-carrying capacity as other mulches. So, instead of using it as mulch, apply a compost layer three to eight inches deep on the soil surface. This will help resist water evaporation from the soil, keep it softer for longer, and won’t inhibit plant growth.

Potting Soil

Just as mature compost is incorporated into garden soil, mix a stable protein mix into your containers to increase water retention. Excessive compost in confined spaces can sometimes add too much phosphorus to the soil, leading to root burn. Therefore, create a layer of two to three inches mixed with the next day’s mix, or you can mix potting mix, vermiculite, and various fertilizers with compost to fill the container.

Compost Tea

You can use compost tea on your plants. It creates a liquid infusion that works as a fertilizer. You can use it once a week on your plants. It can be applied in two ways: first, by spraying it on the leaves to protect them from harmful pests and insects, and second, by mixing it with soil to supply nutrients to the roots and promote growth.

Benefit Of Composing

Composting provides environmental, economic, and social benefits. Adding compost to your soil means incorporating organic matter that increases its water-holding capacity and oxygen retention, crucial for all biological activities in the soil. After adding compost, it enriches the soil with three primary nutrients essential for plants: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Nitrogen supports leaf growth and green coloration, phosphorus aids in root, flower, and fruit development, while potassium enhances overall plant health and disease resistance.

The composting process also aids in the production of beneficial microorganisms, which break down organic matter into humus. Humus enriches the soil with nutrients and helps retain moisture. One of the biggest advantages of compost is its reduction in the use of chemical fertilizers, thereby reducing costs associated with fertilizer production and transportation. Chemical fertilizers not only supply limited nutrients to the soil but also gradually degrade soil fertility and require substantial financial resources for production and application.

Since compost is entirely natural, it supplies plant nutrients without causing any environmental harm and reduces production and transportation costs. Additionally, compost helps resist diseases and pests, reduces expenses, and makes your project more environmentally friendly.

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