Composting - Revision history

Raffi at 14:14, 7 June 2011

2011-06-07T14:14:54Z

Beamer: /* What does compost actually do? */

2011-06-07T13:51:57Z

What does compost actually do?

Beamer: /* Making It Work */

2011-06-07T13:47:45Z

Making It Work

Beamer: /* Materials */ added what dies compost actually do?

2011-06-07T13:45:49Z

Materials: added what dies compost actually do?

Beamer at 03:25, 7 June 2011

2011-06-07T03:25:18Z

Beamer: minor edit and yet a major design change

2011-06-07T03:18:37Z

minor edit and yet a major design change

Raffi: Reverted edits by 78.26.187.109 (Talk) to last revision by Raffi

2009-12-20T22:30:10Z

Reverted edits by 78.26.187.109 (Talk) to last revision by Raffi

78.26.187.109: /* How Does Composting Work? */

2009-12-20T18:15:55Z

How Does Composting Work?

Raffi: adding a see also

2009-03-07T01:52:47Z

adding a see also

Trees: copyedit

2009-03-06T11:20:35Z

copyedit

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-==Compost is a dark, crumbly mixture of decomposed organic matter, such as grass clippings, leaves, and thin twigs.==
+Compost is a dark, crumbly mixture of decomposed organic matter, such as grass clippings, leaves, and thin twigs.
 ===How Does Composting Work?===
@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 ==What does compost actually do?==
 * It helps fertilize the garden
 * It improves soil structure by increasing the aeration process and adding much needed texture

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-* It fertilizes the garden
+* It helps fertilize the garden
-* It improves soil structure, aeration & texture
+* It improves soil structure by increasing the aeration process and adding much needed texture
-* It improves soil's water-holding capacity
+* It improves soil's water-holding capacity, especially important to new plants or in arid climates
 * It helps sandy soils retain moisture
-* It loosens clay soil
+* It loosens clay soil by adding components that keep the soil broken apart
 * It provides food for micro organisms
 * It acts as a mulch

@@ Line 51: / Line 51: @@
 The nitrogen, air, and water provide a favorable environment for the microorganisms to make the compost. A small amount of nitrogen fertilizer can add sufficient nitrogen to the compost. Nitrogen fertilizers can be purchased at many hardware stores, feed stores, or nurseries.
-Air is the only part which cannot be added in excess. Too much nitrogen fertiliser can kill microbes; too much water causes insufficient aeration in the pile. Turning the pile helps with aeration.
+Air is the only part which cannot be added in excess. Too much nitrogen fertiliser can kill microbes; too much water causes insufficient aeration in the pile. Turning the pile helps with aeration.  Aeration is vital because the organisms in the compost are aerobic which means they need air in order to do their jobs.
 ==Biology==

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 ===Materials===
 Anything that was once alive will naturally decompose. However, some organic wastes should not be composted at home.
 ==DO compost these items:==

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-Compost is a dark, crumbly mixture of decomposed organic matter, such as grass clippings, leaves, twigs, and branches.
+==Compost is a dark, crumbly mixture of decomposed organic matter, such as grass clippings, leaves, and thin twigs.==
-==How Does Composting Work?==
+===How Does Composting Work?===
 Even the first-time composter can make good quality compost. Like good cooking, composting is part science, part art. Attention to the following parameters will help you get started.
@@ Line 36: / Line 36: @@
 To prepare compost, organic material, microorganisms, air, water, and a small amount of nitrogen are needed.
-Organic material are leaves, grass clippings, etc. that you are trying to decompose. Microorganisms are small forms of plant and animal life, which break down the organic material. A small amount of garden soil or manure provides sufficient microorganisms.
+Organic materials are such things as leaves, grass clippings, etc. that you are trying to decompose. Microorganisms are small forms of plant and animal life, which break down the organic material. A small amount of garden soil or manure provides sufficient microorganisms.
 The nitrogen, air, and water provide a favorable environment for the microorganisms to make the compost. A small amount of nitrogen fertilizer can add sufficient nitrogen to the compost. Nitrogen fertilizers can be purchased at many hardware stores, feed stores, or nurseries.

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 As a top dressing, mix finely sifted compost with sand and sprinkle evenly over lawns.
 ==Sources==
 *[http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/highlights/homegarden/compost.html USDA]
 *[http://www.cheap-and-easy-recipes.com/category-tips-easy-garden/soil-compost.htm Soil and Compost - Hints and Tips]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 Compost is a dark, crumbly mixture of decomposed organic matter, such as grass clippings, leaves, twigs, and branches.
-How Does Composting Work?
+==How Does Composting Work?==
 Even the first-time composter can make good quality compost. Like good cooking, composting is part science, part art. Attention to the following parameters will help you get started.
-Materials
+===Materials===
 Anything that was once alive will naturally decompose. However, some organic wastes should not be composted at home.
 DO compost these items: grass clippings, leaves, plant stalks, hedge trimmings, old potting soil, twigs, annual weeds without seed heads, vegetable scraps, coffee filters, and tea bags.
-Do NOT compost these items: diseased plants, weeds with seed heads, invasive weeds such a quack grass and moring glory, pet feces, dead animals, bread and grains, meat or fish parts, dairy products, grease, cooking oil, or oily foods.
+Do NOT compost these items: diseased plants, weeds with seed heads, invasive weeds, pet droppings, dead animals, bread and grains, meat or fish parts, dairy products, grease, cooking oil, or oily foods. Although all of these can be composted, they are also likely to attract unwelcome visitors such as rats. Although most plant diseases and weeds will be killed by the heat in the middle of a heap, they may be able to survive near the cooler outer edges and still be present when the compost is used.
 To prepare compost, organic material, microorganisms, air, water, and a small amount of nitrogen are needed.
 Organic material is leaves, grass clippings, etc. that you are trying to decompose. Microorganisms are small forms of plant and animal life, which break down the organic material. A small amount of garden soil or manure provides sufficient microorganisms.
-The nitrogen, air, and water provide a favorable environment for the microorganisms to make the compost. A small amount of nitrogen fertilizer can add sufficient nitrogen to the compost. You can purchase nitrogen fertilizers at many hardware stores, feed stores, or nurseries.
+The nitrogen, air, and water provide a favorable environment for the microorganisms to make the compost. A small amount of nitrogen fertilizer can add sufficient nitrogen to the compost. Nitrogen fertilizers can be purchased at many hardware stores, feed stores, or nurseries.
-Biology
+Air is the only part which cannot be added in excess. Too much nitrogen fertiliser can kill microbes; too much water causes insufficient aeration in the pile.
 Bacteria are the first to break down plant tissue and are the most numerous and effective compost makers in your compost pile. Fungi and protozoans soon join the bacteria and, somewhat later in the cycle, centipedes, millipedes, beetles, and worms complete the composting process.
-Volume
+===Surface Area===
-Compost piles trap heat generated by the activity of millions of microorganisms. A 3-foot by 3-foot by 3-foot compost pile is considered a minimum size for hot, fast composting. Piles wider or taller than 5 feet don't allow enough air to reach the microorganisms at the center.
+===Volume===
+Compost piles produce heat generated by the activity of millions of microorganisms. A compost pile one metre by one metre by one metre is considered a minimum size for hot, fast composting. Piles wider or taller than 1.5 m don't allow enough air to reach the microorganisms at the center.
 The microorganisms in the compost pile function best when the materials are as damp as a wrung-out sponge and have many air passages. Extremes of sun or rain can adversely affect the balance of air and moisture in your pile. The air in the pile is usually used up faster than the moisture, so the materials must be turned or mixed up occasionallly to add air that will sustain high temperatures and control odor. Materials can be turned with a pitchfork, rake, or other garden tool.
-Time and Temperature
+===Time and Temperature===
+The most efficient decomposing bacteria thrive in temperatures between 40°C to 55°C. Thus, the hotter the pile, the faster the composting. If you achieve a good balance of carbon and nitrogen, provide lots of surface area within a large volume of material, and maintain adequate moisture and aeration, the temperature will rise over several days.
 Compost contains nutrients, but it is not a substitute for fertilizers. Compost holds nutrients in the soil until plants can use them, loosens and aerates clay soils, and retains water in sandy soils.
-To use as a soil amendment, mix 2 to 5 inches of compost into vegetable and flower gardens each year before planting.
+To use as a soil amendment, mix 5–10 cm of compost into vegetable and flower gardens each year before planting.
 In a potting mixture, add one part compost to two parts commercial potting soil, or make your own mixture by using equal parts of compost and sand or perlite.
-As a mulch, spread an inch or two of compost around annual flowers and vegetables, and up to 6 inches around trees and shrubs.
+As a mulch, spread 5 cm of compost around annual flowers and vegetables, and up to 10 cm around trees and shrubs.
 As a top dressing, mix finely sifted compost with sand and sprinkle evenly over lawns.
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 ==Sources==
 *[http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/highlights/homegarden/compost.html USDA]