Composting How soil forms in nature…

Definition Organic compounds… are broken down into soil. Composting: The controlled decomposition of kitchen and yard waste to increase nutrients of soil.

Browns and Greens Tree products, fruits and vegetables… Browns: Carbon based compounds from trees; energy for microbes (carbohydrates). Greens: Nitrogen and carbon compounds from fruits and vegetables (source of protein).

Temperature Temperature is a function or decomposition rate. Higher the temperature, the quicker it decomposes. As microorganisms decompose the organic materials, their body heat causes the temperature in the pile to rise dramatically.

Heat changes things…

Decomposition is like Respiration: CO 2 + H 2 O+nutrients+heat released…

Oxygen Aerobic Bacteria -> CO 2 +H 2 O + nutrients+ heat Faster No smell Decomposes matter With oxygen present… Soil/surface water Anaerobic Bacteria ->CH 4 + H 2 S + nutrients +heat Slower Smells Methane/hydrogen sulfide (toxic) Decomposes matter with no oxygen… Landfills/underground Septic Tanks

Moisture Too dry and nothing happens… Too wet and it stinks it becomes anaerobic Ideally, home compost piles would contain % moisture. It should feel as moist as a wrung out sponge. Dry carbon layers can be watered as the pile is built, then with each turning, add more water as necessary.

Soil pH pH range from 6-8 pH units For living organisms. First the compost may turn Acidic and then neutralize over Time. Anything with Sugar Will ferment and turn sour…

Soil Food Web Energy flows from plant materials through these organisms and the nutrients are left for plants to absorb and use.

Primary Consumers They break down the organics into nutrients in the soil. Aerobic Bacteria do most of the work. Fungi also break down waste (cellulose) stuff tough for bacteria to digest.

Secondary Consumers Protozoans (Diverse) Protozoa obtain their food from organic matter in the same way as bacteria do but also act as secondary consumers ingesting bacteria and fungi. 1. Rotifers : 2. Ciliates( Paramecium):

Secondary Consumers (Continued) 3. Amoebas: 4. Flagellates: They consume bacteria (controlling populations) and release that nitrogen into soil for plants.

Tertiary Consumers These organisms eat protozoans and return that nitrogen to the soil for plants… Nematodes: Insects:

Finished Compost Just like nature, composting improves soils… Benefits: 1. Plant growth nutrients in compost include nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. 2. fixes soil structure 3. Adds beneficial microbes to better cycle nutrients 4. Reduces plant diseases