Sep
Which Composting Process To Use?
If you ever come in contact with just-finished compost, you can not help but notice that pungent, one-of-a-kind sweet forest-floor smell which comes wafting your way. It is like magic to a gardener’s senses.
In order to end up with this crumbly, dark, soil-like humus, you can select from a variety of processes; however, in all cases, air, water, & oxygen play a very major part in how fast the decomposition occurs.
To begin, composting is a very basic process. You can simply toss grass clippings & leaves in a heap & let nature do the rest in its own good time…Or you can help it along by providing a balanced diet for the micro-organisms who will do most of the work & a home that meets their needs.
Just like us, these decomposer organisms have three basic requirements: Air, Water, & Food.
Air gives oxygen & enables bacteria to carry out “aerobic” decomposition. Without oxygen, “anaerobic” decomposition of the waste may take place instead. This is something you normally want to avoid since anaerobic bacteria produce the rotten-egg smell often associated with decay.
There are two methods of aerobic composting, depending on whether or not the pile heats up. A “cold” compost pile will decompose as surely as a “hot” one, but it’ll take much longer.
Cold composting is slow but it is easy. Someone with more space for compost than physical energy & time to devote to it may opt for the “cold” approach. This could also be the method to select if your primary concern is reducing waste rather than making quantities of compost.
In contrast, hot composting is a fairly fast method of creating compost & makes efficient use of smaller spaces. It does take more physical effort than cold composting, but gardeners who want as much compost as possible will usually select this method.
There are many variations of approach which are as individual as the people who compost. As you gain experience, you might pick one method to start with & then adapt it… The important thing is to keep your system simple, convenient, & suited to your lifestyle.
About the Author
Bio: A gardener for years, Marcelle has learned the value of composting & using it to put nutrients back into the soil. You can get her free 12-page pdf “The Composting MiniHandbook” at her blog: http://www.OrganicGardeningClub.com
