Improving
the natural composting process using natural bacteria and aeration
DIY
Composting is becoming more and more popular. Instead of buying bags of
commercial compost from the local garden center more and more households
are turning their kitchen and garden organic matter and vegetable waste
into a nutrient-rich humus material that results when these organic waste
materials are converted into beneficial soil additives that is essentially
a living soil life that is bursting with nutrients. Best
of all, making your own compost is a fairly simple way to turn what is traditionally
considered to be waste materials into a valuable resource that can be added
to gardens and flower beds.
Best of all, it is virtually
free when you make your own compost!
Most rural folks have
some sort of compost pile "out back" and this can be something
as simple as a patch behind the fence where the kitchen scraps, wood shaving,
grass clippings and paper waste is piled up and left to breakdown into
compost.
Simple wooden-slatted boxes are common. Something that allows the pile
of potato peelings and coffee grounds to be contained and to enhance the
process of biological breakdown.
Leaves and garden shreddings are added to the pile and stirred once and
a while...the usual farmhouse or country home didn't pay too much attention
to the compost pile but more and more people are looking at more efficient
ways to create this resource instead of buying it.
Newfangled composting containers and systems are on the market and almost
every home and garden center has some floor-space devoted to an interesting
array of globe shaped composters, lighthouse shaped composters or fences
and build your own systems. If you look on the Internet there are forums
and groups devoted to discussing and improving the composting process.
The raw benefits
of fresh compost
The nutrients in healthy compost can be described as a
full-spectrum rainbow of all of the Earth's good stuff! Everything plants
could probably need are found in your own pile! A full host of micro-nutrients
that are key to the development and flourishing of gardens and crops are
found in this black gold. Synthetic fertilizers can't match the quality
of a homemade compost and such basic elements as manganese and iron are
often absent in commercial or chemical enhancements.
Natural compost will release nutrients slowly over time; you don't need
a fancy "time release" fertilizer because the natural chemistry
and nutritional value of good compost is a natural slow-release product
that mixes with your existing soil to help retain nutrients better than
artificial fertilizers can do and can revive basically lifeless soils
and ensure that if you do add a fertilizer product your compost material
will enhance the benefits many times over!


The
Complete Compost Gardening Guide:
Barbara Pleasant and Deborah L. Martin turn the compost bin upside
down with their liberating system of keeping compost heaps right
in the garden, rather than in some dark corner behind the garage.
The compost and the plants live together from the beginning in a
nourishing, organic environment.


Let
it Rot!: The Gardener's Guide to Composting
A readable, quietly humorous introduction to composting, this covers
reasons to compost; differing approaches; how decomposition works;
various methods, ingredients, and containers; how to speed decomposition;
and how to use the end result. Campbell is an experienced gardener,
and the book goes into great detail, but the text remains clear
and interesting.


Compost
Everything you need to know to succeed at compost written by award
winning garden author Doug Green. He asked his readers what they
wanted to know about compost and has answered the 64 questions in
his usual, clear, experienced, humorous and well-researched style.
From the details of actually making compost to recipes for compost
tea,
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If you have acidic or alkaline soil structure then using your own compost
will help reestablish a balance to the soil and assist in restoring pH
levels to a more optimized range that helps best utilize the available
nutrients for your crops, flowers or vegetables.
One critical
aspect is the actual soil structure and how adding compost will help bind
soil particles and aggregates so that air pockets and pores can be created
that help trap and hold nutrients like a moist sponge.
This microscopic zone of buffered nutrients is created in the pockets
and spaces that are created by stirring and mixing existing soils or spreading
the compost and mixing. Normal clay particles are broken up and any restrictive
or bound-up particles of soil will be "fluffed" with the rich
organic mix which will allow a better root penetration of trees, shrubs
and flowers as well as vegetables.
This expanded volume in the soil and increased structural integrity also
helps reduce erosion around your garden or in fields when it is mixed
with your soil. Vegetables are more easily able to uptake the primal nutrients
when compost is added but also, because of the healthy nature of the new
soil, the soil better resists having these new nutrients washed away as
the "sponge" that has been created prevents a drastic leaching
of elements out with rains or floods or over watering.
Insects and worms and natural bacteria that flourish within the Earth
are better supported and the vigorous growth and vitality of these essential
life forms help to improve the entire food chain and growth cycle.
By burrowing into this nutrient-rich mixture worms and helpful insects
ensure that the soil is well aerated naturally and help to keep it loose
and prevent unwanted compacting and hardening.
Some of the more helpful
soil bacteria can convert nitrogen that is in the atmosphere and make
it available for the plants. Because the compost can supplement the beneficial
microorganisms that thrive in the soil your plants will have natural immunities
developed to diseases and pests.
Many harmful molds or diseases are less inclined to proliferate in these
healthy surroundings so you'll be doing the equivalent of having your
garden do exercise and take her vitamins as well as being happy with a
positive outlook! No wonder your garden will be amazing!!
Compost Bacterial Formula
Unique 2 in 1 formula that contains both naturally
occurring beneficial bacteria AND beneficial fungi for rapid compost acceleration.
This is certified non-genetically modified and non-pathonogenic.
A robust and healthy microbial population is essential
for successful composting and creating a flourishing organic fertilizer,
which is why a quality natural compost starter like Compost Booster is a
necessity in both compost piles and compost tea.
For Pile Composting mix 1 oz of product will treat 1 cubic foot
of compost material. Mix 1 oz of powder with 1-2 gallons of water and apply
to a WET compost pile. Keep the compost material at the dampness of a wrung
out sponge. For faster composting,turn the compost pile every other day
for 7- 10 days. Repeat every 7-14 days or as needed.
For Sludge Composting
sprinkle 1-4 pounds of product per 500 pounds of compost material to be
treated. Aerate as needed. Adjust the moisture content so that the pile
feels moist and spongy, but does not remain compacted when squeezed. Repeat
every 7-14 days or as needed.
With the compost boosting microbes you will establish a simple "continuous
feed" approach, compost is ready in 6 months to 2 years. This practice does
not destroy any weed seeds, runners or plants.

Compost
Tea Brewer - Vortex Brewer Junior 10 Gallon

Vortex Brewer Junior Unique Features - "The Little Brother of the Vortex
Brewer still packs a punch!" The Vortex Brewer Junior is a compost tea brewer
and the little brother of the Vortex Brewer. At a 10 gallon volume, it is
not a commercial unit, but makes the power of the vortex available to the
home and hobby gardener.
There are no water pumps used to accomplish the vortexial circulation in
the Vortex Brewer Junior, the movement of the water is accomplished entirely
by the influx of air. The Vortex Brewer Junior uses the natural stimulation
of the vortex rather than aeration to stimulate biological activity and
create living water. Microbes make plant food, and the Vortex Brewer Junior
is a potent method of growing beneficial microbes that when added to the
garden act as teammates to growing plants.
Every unit comes with enough Earth Compound, Earth Tonic, Earth Syrup and
Earth Kelp for two complete brews so can start brewing right away. Using
a Vortex Brewer Junior system in your garden results in lower fertilizer
costs, less pest & disease, higher yields and tastier fruits. You've never
experienced anything like this in your garden or farm before...guaranteed!
Industry
Leading 60 day Money Back Guarantee and 1 Year Warranty
Creating
the perfect compost pile in a private, family setting
Ingredients:
Kitchen
materials with mixed yard trimmings including grass clippings, flowers
and stalks, leaves, weeds without seeds or spreading roots, twigs ad small
branches collected and crushed or piled.
Raw vegetable
skins and fruit scraps with coffee grounds and egg shells from home kitchen
Moisture which
can be rainwater and additional water as needed
Tools:
Garden
tongs or pitchfork to stir and mix the compost pile
Digging tools
such as sharp point shovel or turning tools or machetes to chop and separate
materials
Garden hose
or water supply with aerated jet sprayer or with sprayhead
Chopper or shredder
if thick woody materials or branches are involved
Compost bins
or boxes if required; piles or windrows depending on size of your operation
Tarps, burlap
covers or black plastic coverings (optional)
Directions:
1. Establish your compost pile or place your bins where water will not
puddle or collect when it rains, preferably in a shaded spot next to your
water source
2. Put your collected organic kitchen scraps and viable yard trimmings
in a bin or pile as they are collected
3. Chop or shred any wood or thick branch trimmings
4. If you are adding organic green yard waste to the compost pile, mix
them first into the leaves and other yard materials already in the pile
to prevent separation of congruous elements
5. Bury any fresh kitchen scraps under at least 10 inches (22 cm) of yard
waste or finished compost
6. Moisten dry ,materials if required to ensure the proper moisture levels
7. Optional: cover the top of your compost with a tarp or plastic sheeting
material to keep moist especially if adding compost aeration
8. Are you finished? Well... when the material at the bottom of your compost
pile looks like dark rich soil, you have created a successful compost!
When it is convenient, move any non-decomposed materials into a new bin
or fresh pile and harvest and use the compost you have created!
Growing
Solutions Compost Tea System
 The
is a tea brewer that is ideal for homeowners, small nursery operations
and research environments. This model delivers reliable performance with
greater portability and convenience.
The patented Compost Tea System is designed for durability, ease of use,
and years of safe and consistent operation.
This 10 gallon tea brewer features a patented design, industrial grade
components, easy maintenance and fine bubble diffusion technology. Fine
bubble diffusion technology is a constant dynamic aeration process. Each
fine bubble diffusion aeration disc has more than 4,000 engineered perforations
that provide consistent air bubble size and velocity. This constant aeration
process ensures maximum oxygen transfer efficiency, creating an optimum
environment for reproduction of beneficial microorganisms.
The compost tea solution is thoroughly mixed by the fine bubble diffusion
aeration process inside the tank, eliminating the need for external agitation.
Each disc's perforations self-seal when the system is off, preventing
back flow of compost tea into the air manifold. More than 4,000 1mm perforations
in our fine bubble diffusion discs ensure optimum oxygen levels are maintained
while providing thorough mixing of the compost tea solution.
After 24 hours, the compost tea brewing cycle is complete. Use your compost
tea as soon as possible as it contains living microorganisms.
Apply as a foliar spray or soil drench with a sprayer, watering can or
other application equipment.

Compost
Tea Maker

By popular demand, HOMGRO presents our compact version of the exact same
system that has made our model eco farm so famous around the world! Perfect
for the backyard gardener and sustainability enthusiast. The HOMGRO Quick
and Easy Compost Tea Maker TM kit (patent pending) is designed to brew
a highly effective, completely organic nutrient-rich liquid fertilizer
in just 48 hours!
This liquid fertilizer, diluted with non-chlorinated water, can be sprayed
on all vegetables, plants, flowers, trees, and bushes creating dramatic
results. Included in each kit is a bag of *HOMGRO's Living Microbe Compost,
a special blend of thoroughly composted small animal waste and worm castings
mixed with a proprietary blend of fish emulsion; a packet of *HOMGRO's
Microbe Activator which feeds the microbes creating a "microbial baby
boom"; a nylon filter; and the Quick and Easy instructions to brew/apply
the tea, and maintain/store the unit.
The electronic pump securely attached to the lid works quietly providing
twice the power needed for optimum aeration.
One batch of tea yields 9 to 10 gallons of fertilizer. The HOMGRO Compost
Tea Maker TM unit comes fully assembled and ready to use right out of
the box. *All compost tea ingredients are packaged without chemicals or
preservatives. Note: A foliar sprayer is required for applying HOMGRO's
Compost Tea.
Compost Aeration
For
fast and odor-free decomposition of compost piles proper aeration is required;
aeration can also be very effective to reduce moisture content in your
compost materials. One of the most critical aspects
is to ensure that material on the leading edge or outside of the pile
is circulated or turned to the center of the pile so the higher temperatures
created by the biological process can be achieved and maintained.
Beyond the mechanical turning of compost piles, especially in larger municipal
and commercial compost operations, forced air systems to aerate the compost
are extremely common. High volume air blowers feeding air through diffusers
and tubes can be used to ensure that the proper high temperatures are
achieved throughout the pile.
This graph on the right is from a study at the University of California
that shows that if frequent turning or aeration at regular intervals during
the first two weeks is performed the stabilization will be similar to
making the equivalent number of turns over a longer period. The increased
aeration during these key stages of composting will intensify the microorganisms
involved in the decomposition process.
As a guideline the study showed that when moisture content is less
than 70% the first mechanical turn should be made after day 3 and turn
in the following manner for the first 14 days:
- Compost moisture level: Between 60% and 70% turn four or five times
at intervals of two days.
- Between 40% and 60% turn three or four times at three day intervals.
- If moisture is below 40% then you need to add water!
- If you have a more saturated moisture level of more than 70% you should
turn the compost every day until the total moisture content averages less
than 70%.
Some
interesting links about pond composting and making compost tea

The Complete Compost Gardening Guide:

Barbara Pleasant and Deborah L. Martin turn the compost bin upside
down with their liberating system of keeping compost heaps right
in the garden, rather than in some dark corner behind the garage.

Let it Rot!: The Gardener's Guide to Composting
A readable, quietly humorous introduction to composting, this covers
reasons to compost; differing approaches; how decomposition works;
various methods, ingredients, and containers; how to speed decomposition;
and how to use the end result.

Compost

Everything you need to know to succeed at compost.
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Wikipedia
Composting
Industrial
composting systems are increasingly being installed as a waste management
alternative to landfills, along with other advanced waste processing systems.
Mechanical sorting of mixed waste streams combined with anaerobic digestion
or in-vessel composting is called mechanical biological treatment, and are
increasingly being used in developed countries due to regulations controlling
the amount of organic matter allowed in landfills. Treating biodegradable
waste before it enters a landfill reduces global warming from fugitive methane;
untreated waste breaks down anaerobically in a landfill, producing landfill
gas that contains methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Vermicomposting is used
for medium-scale on-site institutional composting, such as for food waste
from universities and shopping malls: selected either as an more environmental
choice, or to reduce the cost of commercial waste removal. .
Available at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compost
Fundamentals
of Composting
Most composters judge what composition of the material will provide good
compost by appearance. An experienced operator can generally do proportioning
from visual estimates of the quantity and character of the feedstock. In
large-scale municipal composting operations, however, there may be times
when operators rely on laboratory analyses to determine how the various
materials should be blended or proportioned for composting. The C:N ratio
and moisture content are the two factors to be considered in blending. There
is no need for blending when the C:N ratio is between 25 and 50, although
30 to 40 is a better range. If materials containing much paper, straw, sawdust,
or other substances rich in carbon are to be composted, the C:N ratio materials
should be proportioned to provide a near optimum C:N ratio. Similarly, materials
too dry for good composting and materials too wet to compost without odors
should be blended in proper proportions. Where initial shredding is practiced,
proportioning can usually be done at the shredder; otherwise, the materials
are mixed and placed in piles together.
Available at: http://whatcom.wsu.edu/ag/compost/fundamentals/needs_aeration.htm
How to Make
Compost
Making and using compost is the cornerstone of organic gardening - if you
want to 'Grow Your Own', there's no better place to start. The finished
product is rich, dark, crumbly and sweet-smelling. It is made of recycled
garden and kitchen waste, and can also include paper products. It is used
to feed and condition the soil and in making potting mixes. Around 40 per
cent of the average dustbin contents are suitable for home-composting so
it helps cut down on landfill too. Making compost is often considered to
be complex but all you need to do is provide the right ingredients and let
nature do the rest ? however, a little know-how will help you make better
compost, more efficiently. Where do I make my compost? There are a variety
of bins on the market but they are all just a container for the composting
process. A bin is not strictly necessary ? you can just build a heap and
cover it over with some polythene or cardboard. However, bins do look neater
and are easier to manage. You can build your own, buy one from any number
of suppliers, including The Organic Gardening Catalogue, or get one cheaply
from your local council ? contact the Waste and Recycling Department at
your local council for more information or visit the recycle now website:
www.recyclenow.com .
Available att: http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/organicgardening/compost_pf.php
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