1. Composting For Lewis County Master Gardeners 2008 by Bob Taylor
Compost For Lewis County Master Gardeners 2003
Local Photos by Sharron Owen
Roosevelt Regional Landfill Slides
Chilly Sterner, Hazardous Waste Slides
Melanie Case, Recycling Information

2. What Is Compost? Natural Cycle of Growth & Decay
Similar to Organic Matter in Soil
Holds Water and Nutrients in Soil
Makes Soil More Porous & Easy to Work
Soil Amendment
Not HIGH in Nutrients
Makes Nutrients More Available
What is Compost?

3. Compost Elements Critters Particle Size Pile Volume Mix Ratio Moisture
Oxygen
Time
Compost (Mallee Bird)
Critters, Particle Size, Pile Volume, Mix Ratio, Moisture, Oxygen, Time

4. Compost Critters Bacteria Fungi Worms Arthropods Mites Protozoa Other

5. Food Web of the Compost Pile

6. Mix ratio Green Approx. 1 part Brown Approx. 2 parts Good Balance

7. Temperature Volume Oxygen Particle Mix Critters Temperature,
Volume, Oxygen, Particle size, Mix Ratio, Critters

8. …Philes Phychrophile 55 degrees F Mesophile 70 to 90 degrees F
Thermophile to 200 degrees F
...Philes
Psychrophiles 55 d
Mesophiles d
Thermophiles 100 to 200 d

9. Hot Compost Managing Decay Speed the Process Requires Constant Turning

10. Curing Hot Pile When Temp. Drops below 110 degrees When Volume Shrinks
Rest for 4 to 8 Weeks
Important for Seed Starting & Potting
Not Necessary for Working into Soil
Affects Availability of N & Microbes
Curing Hot Pile

11. Time Particle Size Turning Frequency Energy Balance Moisture
Temperature
Time
Particle Size, Turning Frequency, Energy, Moisture, Temperature

12. Compost Pests Flies Rodents Raccoons Opossums Cats/Dogs Compost Pests

14. Weeds Buttercup Morning Glory Ivy Dandelions Seeds Temperature Toxic
Buttercup, Morning Glory, Ivy, Dandelion, Seeds
Temperature
Toxic

15. Pathogens Affecting Humans & Plants
Cow/Horse Manure
Hog Manure
Dog/Cat Feces
Diseased Plants
Root Crops
Salad Crops
Pathogens Affecting Humans & Plants
Cow/Horse Manure, Hog Manure, Dog/Cat Feces, Diseased Plants, Root Crops, Salad Crops