Composting
Compost is a dark, crumbly mixture of decomposed organic matter, such as grass clippings, leaves, twigs, and branches.
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Biology
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.
Surface Area
If the microorganisms have more surface area to feed on, the materials will break down faster. Chopping your garden debris with a machete, or using a chipper, shredder, or lawnmower to shred materials will help them decompose faster. Composting will also work better if soft items (e.g. grass clippings) and hard items (e.g. twigs, wood chips) are mixed together, rather than added separately.
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.
Moisture and Aeration
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
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.
Uses for Compost
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 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 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.
