Compost DO DOS Power point notes for Shoreham Library Aug. 3,2009 and Comsewogue Library Auh10,2009.
Thank you Marsha Johnson and Composting class of Aug. 3, 2009. Any follow up compost questions or photographs from our class can be e mailed to Jay@gardencoaches.org and I will post them here under the compost notes.
Compost
Consumer orientated- Recycling the earth how much solid waste does the US produce?
We produce about a 3rd. Of the world’s solid waste and buries more than half of it in
landfills. With the population being only 4.6% of the world, we produce about 1/3rd. Of
the world’s solid waste- a glazing symptom of affluenza .About 98.5% of the solid waste
in the US and most developed countries comes form mining, oil and natural gas
production, agriculture, sewage sludge, and industrial activities. This solid waste is
produced indirectly to provide goods and services to meet the needs and growing wants
of consumers. Solid waste-What Can you do? Follow the four R’s of resource use:
Refuse, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.
Ask yourself whether you really need a particular item.
Rent, borrow or, barter goods and services when you can.
Buy things that are reusable, recyclable, or compostable, and be sure to reuse, recycle and
compost them.
Do not use throwaway paper and plastic plates, cups, and eating utensils, and other
disposable items when reusable or refillable versions are available. Use e-mail in place of
conventional paper mail.
Read newspapers and magazines online.
Buy products in concentrated form whenever possible.
A few of the solid wastes consumers throw away in the high-waste economy found in the
US:
Enough aluminum to rebuild the country’s entire commercial airline fleet every 3 mths.
Enough tires each yr. to encircle the planet almost 3 X’s.
Enough disposable diapers each to reach the moon and back 7X’s
About 2billion disposable razors, 130 million cell phones, 50 million computers, 8
million TV’s each yr
Discarded carpet that would cover the state of Delaware.
2.5 million Disposable h2o bottles (nonreturnable) plastic each hr.
1.5 billion lbs. of edible food per/yr.
Enough office papers each yr. to build a wall 11ft. High across the country from NY to
San F.
Some 186 pieces of junk mail (average of 660per American) a yr. Approx. 45% of which
are thrown away unopened.Yard, food and paper make up over 60% of waste in the landfill. Landfills
Paper products make up the largest percentage of municipal solid waste in
the US but electronic waste or e-waste is the fastest growing type of solid
waste. Paper makes up about 38%, followed by yard waste (12%) and food
waste (11%) and plastics (10%)
We know of the waste composition of trash due to the research of
garbologists such as William Rathe who pioneered this field at the U of A.
they examine trash and analyze what they find.2Many people think of landfills as huge compost piles where biodegradable
wastes are decomposed within a few months. Trash can resist decomposing
for centuries because it is tightly packed and protected from sunlight, water
and air.
Banana peel. A good example of this in the home would be the question of
“What do you do with your banana peel?” if you look at the right side of the
presentation it shows you the choice of throwing in the compost container on
the kitchen sink and bringing it out to the working composter which then
turns into a beautiful garden amendment to grow your future banana plants
in.
The other choice, and the one most of us are choosing today is the left side
of the slide, where you eat the banana and throw the peel into the garbage
where it ends up in the land fill and pollutes our air with toxic gases.
I guess the next time you eat a banana you will hopefully think about which
can you want to place your peel into? And now the question, why should I
make compost? It is the most practical and convenient way to handle your
yard waste. It can be easier and cheaper than bagging these wastes or taking
them to the town waste facility. It also improves your soil and the plants
growing in it. If you have a garden, a lawn, trees, shrubs or even a planter
container, you have a use for compost. You return organic matter to the soil
in a usable form. Organic matter in the soil improves plant growth by
helping to break up heavy clay soils and improving their structure, by adding
H2O and nutrient-holding capacity to sandy soils, and by adding essential
nutrients to any soil. Improving your soil is the first step toward improving
the health of your plants. Healthy plants help to clean our air and conserve
our soil, making our communities healthier places in which to live.
Life cycles. Sounds easy don’t it? Nature really is the one doing 99% of the
work?
Of course this is only one of the compost methods and we will go into the
others in this presentation.
Composting The compost pile is really a teeming microbial farm. Bacteria
start the process of decaying organic matter. They are the first to break down
plant tissue and are also the most numerous and effective composters. Fungi
and protozoan’s soon join the bacteria and somewhat later in the cycle,
centipedes, millipedes, beetles and earthworms do their part.3All organic matter is made up of substantial amounts of carbon (C)
combined with lesser amounts of nitrogen (N). The balance of these two
elements in an organism is called the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio (C: N ratio).
For best performance, the compost pile, or more to the point the composting
microorganisms require the correct proportion of carbon for energy and
nitrogen for protein production. Scientists (yes, there are compost scientists)
have determined that the fastest way to produce fertile, sweet-smelling
compost is to maintain a C:N ratio somewhere around 25 to 30 parts carbon
to 1 part nitrogen, or 25-30:1.Carbon=Energy-While most of us are familiar with leaves, there are
many sources of brown or Carbon that we don’t think of and are of
great value in our compost piles. Browns = High Carbons’
Nitrogen-Protein Many ingredients used for composting do not have the
ideal ratio of 25-30:1. As a result, most must be mixed to create "
compost recipe
or manures. Low C:N ratios may be raised by adding paper, dry leaves or
wood chips.
Many home gardeners prefer to put up with a slight odor and keep some
excess nitrogen in the pile, just to make sure there is always enough around
to keep the pile "cooking!"
Anything growing in your yard is composters.
The soil web The compost pile is really a teeming microbial farm. Bacteria
start the process of decaying organic matter. They are the first to break down
plant tissue and are also the most numerous and effective composters. Fungi
and protozoans soon join the bacteria and somewhat later in the cycle,
centipedes, millipedes, beetles and earthworms do their part.Ashes,Greens = HighAlfalfa12:1Clover23:1 Coffee grounds20:1 Foodthe perfect." High C:N ratios may be lowered by adding grass clippings4First on the job. The most numerous organisms in a compost pile arebacteria
of their work are easy to detect. Bacteria generate the heat associated with
composting, and perform the primary breakdown of organic materials,
setting the stage for
have to be added to the compost pile. They inhabit virtually every surface
and enter the pile on every single bit of organic matter. Initially their
numbers may be modest, but given the proper conditions (proper moisture
and aeration, a favorable balance of carbon and nitrogen, and lots of surface
area to work on) bacteria can reproduce at a remarkable rate.
Many species of bacteria are at work in the compost pile. Each type thrives
on special conditions and different types of organic materials. Even at
temperatures below freezing, some bacteria can be at work on organic
matter. These
includes all those working in the lowest temperature range) do their best
work at about 55°F, but they are able to carry on right down to 0°F. As these
bacteria eat away at organic materials they give off a small amount of heat.
If conditions are right for them to grow and reproduce rapidly, this heat will
be sufficient to set the stage for the next group, the mesophylic bacteria, or
middle temperature range bacteria.. Although bacteria are too small to be seen individually, the effectslarger decomposers to continue the job. Bacteria don'tpsychrophilic bacteria (a grouping of bacterial species thatMesophilic
survive between 40°F to 70°F, and 90°F to 110°F. In many compost piles,
these efficient mid-range bacteria do most of the work. However, given
optimal conditions, they produce enough heat to kick in the real hot shots,
the thermophilic, or heat-loving bacteria.bacteria thrive at temperatures from 70°F to 90°F, and justThermophilic
In a matter of days they turn green, gold, and tan organic material into a
uniform deep brown.
The compost workers-As they eat, the organisms responsible for
composting generate large amounts of heat, which raise the temperature of
the pile or compost bin and speeds up decomposition. A compost pile that is
working well will produce temperatures of 140-160 degrees Fahrenheit (seebacteria work fast, in a temperature range of 104°F to 170°F.Hot Pile Techniques
diseases are killed. A "very hot" compost pile will generate temperatures of
up to 170 degrees Fahrenheit for up to a week or more. Use a compost
thermometer to measure the exact temperature at different locations inside
the pile.). At these temperatures almost all weed seeds and plant5Note: As organic material in a compost pile heats up it breaks down and
takes up less space. A compost pile can shrink up to 70% as it "cooks."
The Biomes:
1. Conifers in Denali Pk.,Ak.
2. Mangroves, Fl.
3. Restored grasslands in Il.
4. Everglades, Fl.
5. Tundra in Greenland
6.Dry tropical forest in Trinidad and Tobago
7.Intertidal zone in Newport, RI
8. Riparian strip along Lk. Erie tributary
It’s as easy as 1,2,3. How do you tell if your compost is ready? Put a small
amount of compost in a plastic bag add some water, wait a day or two, if you
smell ammonia, gas smell it is not ready.
If each household had a cubic meter heap that would be millions of US
citizens not dumping waste into the landfills. That adds up to a lot of
garbage turned into useful soil amendment!German mound
especially woody garden wastes, such as pruning, hedge clippings, and(Hugelkultur or lasagna style) is a method of composting,brassica
because of the layers
It involves trenching the depth required to remove the turf (
90 centimeters (12-36 in) wide, and in its centre is dug another shallow hole
into which the rough material is piled. Removed sod is then stacked facedown
onto this pile, then layers of compost, well
are added. The layers gradually
creating rich stalks. In some locales this is called a "Lasagna" bed, so namedsod), 30-rotted leaves, manure, etc.decompose slowly releasing nutrients andhumus over time; this is ideal for growing hungry crops such assquash
Sheet composting is a way to obtain the benefits of decayed organic
material without building a composting pile. Sheet composting involves
spreading a thin layer of organic materials, such as leaves, over a garden
area. The materials are then tilled in with a hoe, spade, garden fork, or rotary
tiller. Leaves, garden debris, weeds, grass clippings, and vegetative food
scraps are examples of materials that can be easily tilled into the soil. To aid
decomposition, materials should be shredded or chopped prior to layering.or strawberries.6The danger of sheet composting as a compost-making method is that carbon
containing residues will call upon the nitrogen reserves of the soil for their
decomposition. On the other hand, high-nitrogen materials may release their
nitrogen too quickly in the wrong form. What may take a matter of weeks in
a compost pile, given confined and thermophilic conditions, may take a full
season in the soil.
To ensure adequate decomposition of organic materials before planting, it is
best to do sheet composting in the fall. Spread a 2 to 4-inch layer of organic
materials on the soil surface and till in. A rotary tiller will do the most
thorough job of working materials into a vegetable garden. In a flower bed
containing perennials and bulbs, it may be necessary to carefully work the
organic material in with a garden fork or hoe.
Lots of choices. The Chinese have been composting approx. 90% of their
waste for over 4000 years. The Toa throne was approved by the Swedes and
many US states as an aerobic composting method.
Leave these out of your compost. PINE NEEDLES ARE HIGH IN ACID
AND RESIN AND ARE SMALL MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO
COMPOST. They are better used as a mulch for acid loving plants including
lilies of the Valley, blueberries, Laurel, Rhodies, roses, to mention a few.
Pine needles are best left under the pines that they grow to condition and
protect the shallow root system of the parent plant.
Layers in the compost heap, ideally 30:1 Many home gardeners prefer to put
up with a slight odor and keep some excess nitrogen in the pile, just to make
sure there is always enough around to keep the pile "cooking!" Learn more
about
composting do not have the ideal ratio of 25-30:1. As a result, most must be
mixed to create "
lowered by adding grass clippings or manures. Low C:N ratios may be
raised by adding paper, dry leaves or wood chips.
Carbon:Nitrogen ratio effect on decomposition Organisms that decompose
organic matter use carbon as a source of energy and nitrogen for building
cell structure. They need more carbon than nitrogen. If there is too much
carbon, decomposition slows when the nitrogen is used up and some
organisms die. Other organisms form new cell material using their stored
nitrogen. In the process more carbon is burned. Thus the amount of carbon isbuilding a hot compost pile here. Note: Many ingredients used forthe perfect compost recipe." High C:N ratios may be7reduced while nitrogen is recycled. Decomposition takes longer, however,
when the initial
Remember! A Well balanced diet. One rule of thumb: the more green
material (cut grass, weeds, and leaves) you put in, the less water you'll need
to add. In fact, if you need to add dry ingredients such as straw or hay, soak
the material first in water so it won't dry out your compost pile. In general
your compost should be moist, but not sopping wet.
Turning frequency effects on composting. Studies at the University of
California indicated that turning at fairly frequent intervals during the first
10 to 15 days of composting achieved approximately the same degree of
stabilization as making the same number of turns over a longer period.
Greater aeration during the initial stages of decomposition intensifies the
activity of the microorganisms, shortens the period of active decomposition,
and, consequently, reduces time and land area needed for composting. Air
availability is a function not only of turning frequency but also moisture
content and structure of the material.
What do I do with my compost?
system that uses a series of perforated pipes (or equivalent) as an air
distribution system running underneath a compost pile and connected to a
blower that either draws or blows air through the piles. Little or no pile
turning is performed.C:N ratio is much above 30.AERATED STATIC PILE: compostingAERATION (for composting):
composting solid organic matter, by means of turning or ventilating to allow
microbial aerobic metabolism (bio oxidation).bringing about contact of air andAEROBIC:
in the absence of oxygen.occurring in the presence of oxygen./ANAEROBIC: occurringBATCH COMPOSTING:
without introducing new feedstock once composting has begun; windrow
systems may be batch systems.all material is processed at the same time,BIODEGRADABILITY:
converted into simpler compounds by metabolic processes.the potential that an organic component can beBULKING AGENT:
chips, or shredded yard trimmings added to a compost system to maintain
airflow by preventing settling and compaction of waste.material, usually carbonaceous such as sawdust, wood8COMPOSTABLE:
under aerobic conditions.organic material that can be biologically decomposedCONTAMINANT:
can include glass, plastic and stones; chemical contaminants can include
trace heavy metals and toxic organic compounds; biological contaminants
can include pathogens.unwanted material; physical contaminants of compostCURING:
metabolized material has been decomposed. Provides for additional
stabilization, reduction of pathogens, and allows further decomposition of
cellulose and lignin.the last stage of composting that occurs after much of the readilyDECOMPOSITION: the breakdown of organic matter by microbial action.DEWATERED SEWAGE SLUDGE:
solids content of 12% by weight or greater that can be transported and
handled as a semi-solid material.municipal sewage sludge with totalFOREIGN MATTER:
glass, plastic, metals, etc. They are permitted only at low levels in market compost. (Soil and
sand are non-degradable but can be very desirable components in some market composts.)non-biodegradable matter contained in MSW compost such asHEAVY METALS; TRACE METALS:
concentrations are regulated because of the potential for toxicity to humans,
animals, or plants, and include chromium copper, nickel, cadmium, lead,
mercury, and zinc if present in excessive amounts.trace elements whoseHUMUS:
decomposition or alteration of plant and animal residues and products
synthesized by soil organisms; principal constituents are derivatives of
lignin, proteins and cellulose combined with inorganic soil constituents.a complex amorphous aggregate, formed during the microbialINERTS:
etc.).non-biodegradable products contained in compost (glass, plastics,INORGANIC:
mineral matter.substance in which carbon-to-carbon bonds are absent;LEACHATE:
mixed municipal solid wastes and extracted dissolved and suspended
materials; liquid that drains from the mix of fresh organic matter.liquid which has percolated through, or condensed out ofMATURE COMPOST (synonym of COMPOST):
sanitized product of composting. It has undergone decomposition and is in
the process of humification (stabilization); it is characterized as containing
readily available forms of plant nutrients, poor in phytotoxic acids and
phenols, and low in readily available carbon compounds.the stabilized andMIXED WASTE PROCESSING:
sorting commingled waste materials generally for the purpose of recovering
materials of value for recycling.central facility for inspecting and9MOISTURE CONTENT:
solids in material.weight of water in material divided by weight ofORGANIC CONTAMINANTS:
pesticides and other synthetic chemicals.synthetic trace organics includingPATHOGEN:
fungi and protozoa capable of producing an infection or disease in a
susceptible host.an organism or microorganism, including viruses, bacteria,PHYTOTOXIN:
functionality.toxins which may endanger plant viability orSOURCE SEPARATION:
as households and businesses, of separating waste generated within the
household or commercial operation into separate fractions, such as all
newspapers together, all glass together, etc. and of placing them in separate
containers for pickup by the waste hauler.the practice, by primary waste generators suchSTABILITY:
used without giving rise to nuisances or can be applied to the soil without
causing problems.the degree to which the composted material can be stored orSTATIC PILE SYSTEM:
source may be controlled or may not be controlled.similar to aerated static pile except that the airTOXIN:
living organisms.compounds that cause a reduction of viability or functionality inVOLATILIZATION: gaseous loss of a substance to the atmosphere.WINDROW SYSTEM:
called windrows. These windrows are aerated naturally by a chimney effect,
by mechanically turning the piles with a machine such as a front-end loader
or specially designed equipment, and/or by forced aeration.composting mixture is placed in elongated piles,YARD TRIMMINGS:
tree prunings six inches or less in diameter, from residences and businesses.
Leaf mold.
down decomposition…
The lazy gardener.
yard and leave them for two years.grass clippings, leaves and weeds, and shrub andUse moist leaves, dry leaves loose their nitrogen which slowsPile leaves in a sheltered, inconspicuous area of yourThe ambitious gardener.
and chicken wire. Speed up the leaves' rate of decomposition by running a
lawn mower over the pile a few times. To ensure even decomposition, turn
the pile occasionally.
Vermiculture, worm composting- Make a 3-by-3-foot leaf mold "cage" from stakesPut your garbage to good use!Worm composting is an incredibly efficient way to convert some of your10everyday refuse into nutrient- rich compost for your plants and garden. Our
easy-to-use Worm Composting System requires little work but reaps many
rewards. You’ll be doing your part to help the environment, too!
Worm composting (also called vermicomposting)
recycle food wastes,
compost. Bacteria inside red worms, the type used for composting, break
down any plant fibers, turning the material they leave behind into a
amendment for plants.
nourishment to plants, and enhances soil structure and drainage.
Unlike other compost methods, where space is a necessity, our multi-tray
Worm Composting System is compact and is a simple way toeven junk mail, and turn garbage into high qualityfertileWhen worm compost is added to soil, it providescan be used indoors or out,making it a perfect choice for eco-minded apartment dwellers, as well as
others with a limited area. The system is odorless and can be easily moved
from one location to the next.Here’s how it works:
fruit and vegetable trimmings, coffee grounds and egg shells), shredded
paper, corrugated cardboard and other household and garden waste. (Red
worms produce their own weight in castings every day!) As the worms break
down the organic matter in that tray, add a second garbage-filled tray.
Worms start in the bottom tray and migrate upward as they seek new food
sources. This allows the worms to separate themselves from the finished
worm castings—making it easy for you to access the rich fertilizer without
having to sort worms. A collection tray underneath captures the “worm tea,”
a nutrient-packed liquid by-product that’s great for watering your plants.Fill the bottom stacking tray with food scraps (such asThe components:
recycled plastic.
worms healthy and active. The tray holds 12 1/2 lbs. of compost, making
lifting and arranging compost effortless. 21"H x 16"W x 16"D. Kit contains
3 working trays, collection tray, base stand, tap and hardware and bedding
materials. Worms sold separately.
Even apt. living can provide compost for their roof top gardens or indoor
plants. A covered 2 liter bottle can be transformed into a vermiculture
collection kit. Where there’s a will there’s a way!The Worm Composting System is made from 100%A ventilation lid allows for proper air flow to keep your
