Compost is an excellent fertilizer that not only enriches, but also structures the soil. And in order to prepare it, it is enough to follow five simple rules.
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1. Choose the right compost raw materials
In order for organic waste to decompose properly, you need to pile something that can be composted. So, for a compost bin, heap or pile, the following are acceptable:
- peel and pulp of fruit;
- cleared weeds;
- dry grass, hay or straw;
- last year's leaves;
- cardboard or paper;
- rags made of cotton or linen fabrics;
- manure or chicken droppings;
- small scraps of branches;
- coffee grounds;
- sleeping tea (without tea bags).
What cannot be added:
- weeds with ripe seeds;
- pieces of meat or fish, bones (especially boiled ones);
- plastic;
- pulp of oranges, tangerines or grapefruits;
- peel of any citrus fruits;
- shells from walnuts;
- coal and ash from coal;
- large branches or clippings of boards;
- litter from a cat litter box.
2. Compost should be flaky
All raw materials for compost are divided into two groups:
- Carbon raw materials - branches, dry stems, cardboard, leaves.
- Nitrogen raw materials - cut grass, chicken droppings, kitchen cleaning.
For even composting, the layers must be alternated. It is also good to use the humus layer of the soil as an interlayer: it is rich in bacteria that are involved in the decomposition of waste.
This is due to the fact that nitrogenous components, decomposing, generate heat, and bacteria need oxygen. And carbonaceous components need nitrogen, but they contain oxygen. As a result, by interlayering them with each other, it is possible to achieve an optimal concentration of bacteria in a heap or pile.
3. Regular stirring
Interlayers are interlayers, but for optimal consistency and a confident processing process, it is necessary that the raw materials be mixed after a while. In addition, bacteria and dungworms that process waste need oxygen. Therefore, the substrate needs stirring, during which it is saturated with air. And that's why a pile, box or pile is much better for recycling than a compost pit. There are methods for composting the substrate without oxygen access - but they are very specific and are not suitable for every type of raw material.
4. Moisture, but not damp
For their vital activity, bacteria need a moist substrate, but too wet raw materials "dilute" enzymes, disrupting the composting process. Ideally, it is a substrate that is moist enough, but just enough water will not drip out of it when squeezed in a fist. If prolonged rains are expected, the box or heap should even be covered with foil or slate.
5. The smaller the better
The larger the pieces of raw material put in the compost heap, the slower they decompose. That is why it is permissible to throw small twigs into the compost, but you cannot punch whole logs or a large piece of dead wood. Therefore, when sending to the compost of cleaning, weed stalks or something else - see that they are chopped as best as possible.
If possible, use a garden shredder for plant debris. Also, if possible, compost the grass after the mower, not the trimmer.
Conclusion
All these rules are just the basics. Composting has its own tricks that make life easier for the gardener and gardener. But it is enough to know these five rules to lay the right pile and get normal, high-quality compost in 1-2 seasons.
Do you know how to make great compost?
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