Compost Heap - Another Look

I received a lot of questions and comments about the Compost Heap I mentioned in one of my articles. So let's take another closer look at a Compost Heap and find out just exactly what they do.....

Compost

What is it? 

        Organic Matter that has been decomposed as a fertilizer and soil amender. Compost is a key ingredient the world over, especially in organic farming. Simply put, the process of composting requires making a heap of wetted organic matter known as green waste (leaves, food waste) and waiting for the materials to break down into humus after a period of weeks or months. Modern, methodical composting is a multi-step, closely monitored process with measured inputs of water, air, and carbon- and nitrogen-rich materials. The decomposition process is aided by shredding the plant matter, adding water and ensuring proper aeration by regularly turning the mixture. Worms and fungi further break up the material.

Whats Required ? 
     In order to create and cultivate a successful fertile compost there are 4 major ingredients all very important to the process:

• 1. Carbon — for energy; the microbial  oxidation of carbon produces the heat, if included at suggested levels.
  • High carbon materials tend to be brown and dry.
• 2. Nitrogen — to grow and reproduce more organisms to oxidize the carbon.
  • High nitrogen materials tend to be green (i.e fruits and vegetables) and wet.
• 3. Oxygen — for oxidizing the carbon, the decomposition process.
• 4. Water — and of course finally water, needed here in the right amounts to maintain activity without causing anaerobic conditions.

Recently I received a comment from a reader that stated their heap was stinking with flies all around. Well the fact is that the compost heap should NOT stink! See nothing cooked or processed should be added into your compost heap. Only natural and more importantly RAW ingredients is what should be allowed to decompose and fertilize the soil within. So my suggestion would be to stop adding anything that has been cooked to your compost heap, keep it natural for the best results.

        

   Another issue I should mention in regards to your compost heap is that you should "turn it" often. I turn mine right now in its early stages twice a day. Once at Sun up and again at Sun down. Turn it!  What I  mean by that is simply take a shovel and overturn the dirt along with all the clippings make sure you get a thorough turning exposing the bottom of the heap as much as possible. Lots of fellow gardeners are turning to the "Compost Tumblers" as a way of making sure the heap is properly mixed each day. 
     An almost unknown fact is that you can add ANIMAL POOP to your compost heap! If you can find someone with a Ranch or a Farm with rabbits, chickens, horses (has to be dried first) or even Cows ask if you can have some of their poop! Animal Poop is excellent fertilizer. Ideally you would allow it to dry out before adding it to the heap (keep smell down).

NOTE:  If anything begins to grow out of you r compost heap let it get up to about 4-5 inches to ensure stability then transplant. 


  So take a look a few of the pointers above and create a nice fertile compost heap of your own !
Emmer Jean XOXOXO