1. Compost

3. In nature, one’s waste
is another’s food!

4. Composting
Compost is the biological reduction of organic wastes to humus

5. Compost
Compost is the biological decomposition of organic matter under controlled aerobic conditions.
In contrast, fermentation is the anaerobic decomposition of organic matter

6. Why compost?
Up to 75% of household waste is organic or carbon-based material.
Composting reduces materials dumped in landfills
Environmentally conscious way of reducing waste

7. carbon dioxide (CO2)
(0.04% in the atmosphere)
respiration
in stems
and leaves
root respiration
and soil organic
matter
decomposition
photosynthesis
crop harvest
crop and
animal
residues
carbon in
soil
organic matter
erosion
The role of soil organic matter in the carbon cycle. Losses of carbon from the field are indicated by yellow color around the words describing the process.

8. fertilizer production
atmospheric fixation or
fertilizer production
nitrogen gas (N2)
(78% of atmosphere)
NH4+ and
NO3-
nitrogen
fixation
volatilization
crop harvest
legumes
crop and
animal
residues
NH4++OH NH3+H2O
free-living bacteria
nitrogen in
soil
organic matter
plant uptake
ammonium
NH4+
erosion
immobilization
denitrification
nitrate
NO3-
NO N2 + N2O
leaching to
groundwater
The role of soil organic matter in the nitrogen cycle. Losses of nitrogen from the field are indicated by a yellow color around words describing the process.

9. Why compost? Save money (cheaper than peat moss)
Increase tilth (soil structure, aeration, fertility)
Adds macro- and micro-nutrients
Increases CEC and acts as a pH buffer
Provides energy source for soil microbes and earthworms
Used as a mulch can keep down weeds

10. Factors affecting composting

11. Factors affecting composting
Temperature- internal temp between 70° & 140°F. Decomposition occurs if the pile is above freezing. (thermophillic)

15. Temperature
If temperature goes above 150°F,
turn the pile!

16. Factors affecting composting
Oxygen- aerobic decomposition is necessary. If the pile smells bad… it is because there isn’t enough oxygen getting inside!

17. Factors affecting composting
Moisture- 50% moisture is best. Cover with a tarp if rainy to keep from getting too wet or too dry.
Should feel like a sponge that has been wrung-out

18. Factors affecting composting
Nutrients- Carbon to Nitrogen ratio (C:N)
Optimal = 25:1 (range from 20:1 to 40:1)
High C Materials: Straw, hay, woody materials, dried corn stalks, paper wastes
Wood chips = 400:1
High N Materials: Manures, green material (grass clippings*), food wastes. Nitrogen fertilizer can also be added.
Grass clippings = 12:1

19. Factors affecting composting
*CAUTION- if you use herbicides/insecticides on your lawn, these may remain in the clippings and can sometimes cause problems to plants where you incorporate the compost later!!

20. Factors affecting composting
Time- process can take 2 weeks to 2 years depending on the carbon source and other factors mentioned
Organic materials buried in a landfill may never decompose because of a lack of oxygen

21. Factors affecting composting
“Equal weights of green and brown, helps the microbes break it down!”

22. Ways to speed composting
Chopping or shredding materials into small pieces
Mix equal amounts of green (high nitrogen) and brown (high carbon) materials
Turn pile regularly
Keep moist but not wet

24. Types of composting set-ups

25. Types of composting set-ups
Bins generally range from 3’ x 3’ x 3’ to 5’ x 5’ x 5’
Taller bins have weight which compressed the lower material and does not allow enough air in for aerobic composting
Multiple bins, called “turning bins” allow a faster decomposition process

26. Types of composting set-ups

27. Types of composting set-ups
Chicken wire cage

28. Types of composting set-ups
Plastic bins

29. Types of composting set-ups

30. Types of composting set-ups

31. Types of composting set-ups

32. Types of composting set-ups

33. Types of composting set-ups

34. Types of composting set-ups

35. Types of composting set-ups

36. Types of composting set-ups

37. Types of composting set-ups

38. Types of composting set-ups

42. Types of composting set-ups

44. Things that should not go into a compost pile
Meat (beef/poultry/fish)
Non-ground bones
Diseased plants
Grease/fat/oil
Used kitty litter
Colored newspaper/circulars
Treated wood or sawdust
Dairy products
Weeds/seeds
Human/dog/cat waste

45. Vermicomposting Using worms to digest organic matter into compost
Suitable for use indoors

46. Vermicomposting

47. Vermicomposting

48. The vermicomposting bin

49. Vermicomposting worms
Eisenia foetida (red wigglers NOT earthworms)
1 pound of worms (approx. 1,000 worms) can eat 1 pound of food in 2 days
Need temperatures between F

50. Vermicomposting “food”
Fruit and veggie scraps and peels
Coffee grounds
Tea bags
Rinsed, crushed egg shells
Pasta and rice
Bread (not moldy)
Dead cut flowers
Shredded black and white newspaper for bedding on top of food scraps (reduces problems with fruit flies)

51. Resources for more info.

52. Taking a soil sample Take a sample from a representative area
Take 10 cores minimum for home garden
Make a composite sample (mix cores in a bag)
Dig down 4-6” for turf
Dig down 6-10” for tilled vegetable crops
Send soil in using an approved bag mailer
If you must store it, put in a refrig.
Do not leave in a car or store in a hot location

53. Taking your own soil pH 2 parts soil to 1 part distilled water
Mix well
Use pH paper which changes color according to how acidic or basic the solution is, or use a pH meter which gives you a direct reading IF properly maintained and calibrated.
More info.:

54. pH of common items Acidic Hydrochloric acid 0.1
Sulfuric acid (battery) 1
Stomach juices 1 – 3
Lemon juice 2.3
Vinegar 2.4 – 3.4
Apple juice 2.9 – 3.3
Grapefruit juice 3 – 3.3
Soft drinks 3.5
Orange juice 3 – 4
Tomato & tomato juice 4.2
Grapes 3.5 – 4.5
Acid rain 5.2
Normal rain 5.7
Maple syrup 6.5-7
Distilled water 7.0 (neutral)
Basic
Human blood – 7.45
Sea water – 8.21
Eggs 7.6 – 8
Baking soda 8.0
Milk of magnesia 10.5
Ammonia water 11.6