Do-it-yourself compost preparation

Only a lazy summer resident does not prepare compost. This is an excellent fertilizer for most plants and does not require material investments. In addition, compost improves the structure of the soil, making it more crumbly and soft. I have several places where this fertilizer ripens. If nothing is added to speed up the process, it takes more than one year to fully ripen. I place weeds and food waste either in a leaky barrel, good for nothing else, or in a fence under the fir trees.

Compost. The illustration for the article is used under the standard license

Compost or manure?

It seems that the same substance just has different names. But they are actually different from each other. Humus is obtained from decomposed manure or rotted leaves. This mass decomposes in at least 2 years. Turned into light and crumbly soil, it is used to fertilize various crops.

Organic material placed in pits or heaps turns into compost. The composition of humus and compost is different. Everything that rots is put in the compost heap. Sometimes I add manure to improve the composition.

Proper compost structure

There is no need to compost everything. It may include:

• grass cut on the site;
• dry hay or straw;
• leaves, stems of plants without signs of disease;
• weeds without seeds;
• leftover food;
• twigs;
• ash with coals;
• egg shells;
• cow and horse manure, droppings of chickens and other birds;
• compost preparations.

What I don't add to compost:

• faeces of people and animals;
• pieces of fabric;
• chemicals;
• plants with seeds;
• disease-infected plants.

Compost bins

You can dig a hole to store compost. But I think that it is not as convenient as other containers. I already wrote about barrels. What else do you know:

1. My neighbors have fenced off the compost site with slate.
2. Other neighbors keep their compost in an old cast-iron tub. While the compost is being prepared, excellent zucchini grows on it.
3. I saw a box built from boards. One side slides out when it's time to take out the fertilizer.
4. You can store organics in black bags.

I just tip my barrel to the ground to take out the compost, and then put it back in place for the next bookmark. The barrel is convenient in that it is easy enough to move. When the barrel is full, I plant a pumpkin in it in the spring.

Compost preparation

What rules do I follow when preparing compost:

1. I lay the compost in a layer no more than one and a half meters.
2. I shift the layers with earth.
3. When the temperature inside the heap rises, beneficial microorganisms begin to die. In this case, I shift the compost to another place.

Compost additives

By itself, organic matter decomposes for a long time. But if you use additives, the process will go much faster. What I use for this:

1. Baikal EM-1. This biofertilizer does not contain harmful microorganisms. I spill each layer of compost with a solution, and it is ready in two months.
2. I water the organics with herbal infusion with the addition of chicken manure.
3. I use yeast with sugar dissolved in water to water the compost.

signs of maturation

Unripe compost is of no use. How do I determine that it is ready to eat:

• the individual components of the compost mixture are not visible, it has turned into a homogeneous mass;
• the consistency has become loose;
• the color has become dark;
• there was a smell of wet earth.

In the fall, I add compost to the beds. Until spring, it will be completely reworked.

This is how I make my own compost. This is the most affordable fertilizer for plants. It's worth the effort to get it. It is necessary for vegetables, flowers, and herbs.

Do you prepare such fertilizer in the country? What methods do you use?

Read also: Peach leaf curl: what is this disease and how to deal with it?

Another related article: Potato Bellarosa: description and technology of growing a variety

Friends, do not forget to subscribe to the channel and leave a LIKE if the article is useful!

#compost#composting#garden