Composting
- 1. Composting Recycling Organic Matter Dan Gill LSU AgCenter Consumer Horticulturist
- 2. For an outlineof this program, send a request to: dgill@agcenter.lsu.edu
- 3. Organic Matter • Materialderived from plants • May be used as is or in a decayed state or processed • Has many horticultural uses, including bed preparation, mulching, potting mixes
- 4. Coming to Terms •Compost, Compost, Composting, Composted, Composter • Amendment, Amend, Amended, Amending • Mulch, Mulch, Mulching, Mulched
- 5. Compost • Organic matterthat has gone through a period of decomposition. • Finished compost is a dark brown, crumbly material with an earthy smell. The original organic materials are no longer recognizable.
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- 7. Amendments • Materials addedto the soil to improve it in some way for plant growth. • May be organic: compost, leaf mold, composted manure, peat moss, soil conditioner • Or inorganic: lime, sulfur, green sand, fertilizer, sand
- 8. Mulch • Any materialspread over the soil surface. • May be organic or inorganic. • Organic mulches provide many benefits: Reduce weeds Conserve soil moisture Moderate soil temperature Prevent compaction Provide nutrients/encourage earthworms
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- 10. Why Compost? • Recyclingorganic yard waste reduces materials going into municipal waste streams and landfills. • Save money not purchasing organic matter from nurseries. • May be the best organic matter for bed preparation.
- 12. A Natural Processof Decay • Happens on the forest floor • In lawn • When organic mulch is used • Prevents the world from being overwhelmed by organic matter • Carried out primarily by naturally occurring fungi and bacteria
- 13. Controlled Composting • Speedsup the process through proper management. • What is the most important thing to understand about composting….?
- 15. It’s not aPile – It’s a Pet • The transformation of organic matter to compost is carried out by living organisms – mostly fungi and bacteria. • Everything we do in composting caters to the needs of these living organisms to help them work more efficiently.
- 16. So, what dothey need? • Large surface areas • Air/Oxygen • Food • Water
- 17. Large Surface Areas •Chopping or grinding organic matter greatly enhances the composting process. • Smaller particles expose more surface area to the action of the microorganisms. • This allows the fungi and bacteria to more rapidly decay the organic matter.
- 18. Air/Oxygen • The microorganism we want to be active in the process need oxygen to live. They are aerobic organisms. • We do not want microorganisms that live in an oxygen-free environment – anaerobic organisms. They stink. • So, the compost pile should not be too dense or stay too wet.
- 19. Air/Oxygen • To ensureadequate oxygen, piles are enclosed by ventilated sides. • Piles may be turned. • Maintain proper moisture.
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- 21. Food • The organicmatter in the pile is the food the microorganisms eat. • This is where the carbon:nitrogen ratio comes into play: 30 to 1. • Various organic materials have different ratios of carbon to nitrogen they contain. • Roughly divided into “brown” materials and “green” materials.
- 22. Brown: High Carbon/NitrogenRatio • Cardboard, shredded………...350:1 • Leaves……………………………..60:1 • Newspaper, shredded………..175:1 • Peanut shells…………………….35:1 • Pine needles……………………..80:1 • Sawdust……………………………325:1 • Straw……………………………….75:1 • Wood chips………………………400:1
- 23. Green: Low Carbon/NitrogenRatio • Alfalfa……………………………..12:1 • Coffee grounds…………………20:1 • Garden waste…………………..30:1 • Grass clippings…………………20:1 • Hay…………………………………25:1 • Manures………………………….15:1 • Vegetable scraps……………….25:1 • Weeds……………………………..30:1
- 24. Diversity, Diversity, Diver sit y , Diversity • The more different types of organic matter you put into the compost, generally the better. • But, try to include some of the browns and some of the greens as you build your pile, whenever possible.
- 25. But… • Be cautiousabout relying on recipes • Gardens rarely generate organic materials in proportions matching recipes. • It’s generally better to be flexible, but mindful.
- 26. High Carbon/Nitrogen Ratio •Add some nitrogen fertilizer – commercial or organic (blood meal, cotton seed meal) • Or some low carbon/nitrogen ratio material, such as manure. • Should be composted before adding to the garden.
- 27. Low Carbon/Nitrogen Ratio •Add high carbon/nitrogen ratio material, such as shredded newspaper, shredded cardboard or ground wood. • Turn frequently.
- 28. Water • Dry organicmatter will not decompose. • Fungi and bacteria must have water to decompose organic matter. • You may need to water a pile occasionally. Rain helps much of the year. • Not too wet.
- 29. Making Compost • Enclose the pile, no need for expensive compost bins, but you can use them. • Chop organic matter. • Add nitrogen if the organic matter is low in nitrogen • Keep the pile moist – not soggy. • Turn the pile if possible. • Harvest when the organic matter has turned into a dark brown, crumbly material.
- 30. Some Like itHot • Well constructed and maintained compost piles can achieve remarkably high temperatures • Around 140 to 16 0 degrees F • Carried out by thermophilic organisms • Temperatures this high can kill weed seeds and disease organisms • But, can’t always be relied on
- 31. Compost Starters • Arethey really necessary? • They are certainly not critical to the process, but feel free to give them a try. • Shovel of soil.
- 32. Safety Concerns • Someissues with fresh manures and bacteria, such as E. coli. • Compost fresh manure. Incorporate it. • Do not topdress with fresh manure. • Leafy vegetables eaten raw. Wash.
- 33. Using Compost • Outstandingamendment for bed preparation. • Great addition to potting mixes. • Not a great mulch. • Compost tea
- 34. Critters • Worms • Insects– Roaches • Mammals
- 35. Do you needa bin?
- 36. Location • Sun orShade • Near a source of water. • Near gardens where it will be used.
- 43. My Compost Piles PassiveComposting
- 46. Green Manures andCover Crops • Add organic matter to the soil. • Useful when beds are not being used to grow crops. • Different for different seasons. • For winter, rye, wheat, green peas and crimson clover are possible choices. • Legumes may provide a net gain in nitrogen. • Turn under while still young and tender, before seeds form.
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