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Similar to Southern sawg producing and using biodynamic compost
Southern sawg producing and using biodynamic compost
- 1. Producing and Using BiodynamicCompost on Your Farm Southern SAWG Conference January 16, 2015 Mobile, AL Mike Smith Longwood Plantation, LLC.
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- 4. When We Beganand Now
- 5. Aerial Photo ofCurrent Site
- 6. Compost Defined Composting isthe biological process of breaking down organic residues of plants and animals into an extremely humus-like substance by various micro-organisms including bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes in the presence of oxygen.
- 7. Benefits of UsingCompost • Improves soil structure, porosity, and bulk density • Increases moisture infiltration and permeability of heavy soils • Improves moisture-holding capacity of light soils • Improves and stabilizes soil pH • Improves cation exchange capacity (CEC) of soils • Supplies a variety of macro and micronutrients • Supplies significant quantities of organic matter • Supplies beneficial microorganisms to the soil • Binds and degrades specific pollutants in soil
- 8. Key Factors inComposting • Aeration – Composting is an aerobic process (meaning it requires lots of oxygen). Turning is critical to provide oxygen to compost. • Nutrient Balance – The ratio of carbon to nitrogen for successful composting. Must contain 20 to 40 parts carbon to 1 part nitrogen. • Moisture Content – Compost pile should be around 60% after completion of original mixing. Should never drop below 40%. • Temperature – The maximum composting rate occurs when the temperature is between 110° and 150° F. Temperatures at 131° F for 10 days will kill all parasites, weed seeds, and disease-causing organisms.
- 9. Methods of Composting •In-vessel – Typically rotary drum or kiln-type set-up for continuous processing. High capital investment, usually municipal or governmental systems. Short compost cycle. • Aerated Static piles – High capital investment. Low labor requirements. Questionable results. • Turned windrows – Lower capital investment. Lends itself to custom blends. Lower capacity restraints. • Biodynamic – Uses biodynamic preparations, intensive pre-blending, and static pile formation.
- 10. Feedstocks for Composting Carbon CottonTrash – 29 Peanut Hay – 65 Dry Leaves – 60 Hay – 30 Fresh Sawdust – 40 Rye Straw – 82 Yard Waste - 44 Nitrogen Chicken Manure – 11 Cow Manure – 30 Onions – 18 Horse Manure – 35 Grass Clippings – 12 Coffee Grounds – 20 Cocoa Shells - 22
- 11. Parameters for FinishedCompost Temperature F° 92-94° Oxygen (O2) Not under 8% Carbon Dioxide (C O2) Not over 8% pH 6.5 – 7.0 Ammonia (NH3) <50 ppm Sulfides (H2S) 0 at any time Carbon to Nitrogen Ratio 15-20:1
- 12. Methods of Compostingat Longwood Plantation • ACS – Advanced Composting System. Based on the Luebke system • Bio-Dynamic – Based on Rudolph Steiner principles
- 13. ACS Processing Method Thisprocess combines a balanced recipe with a scientifically managed composting process, producing humified compost – a high-value compost that improves soil fertility, buffers crops against adverse conditions, and reduces need for weed and insect suppression. It is based on the Luebke method, with focus on quality and consistency of the finished product. This is of paramount importance in attaining good humus- based compost which yields positive field results.
- 14. Basic Ingredients Balanced Recipe CottonGin Trash Peat Chicken Litter
- 15. Windrow turning withFront Loader
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- 19. Bio-Dynamic Method Bio-Dynamic compostis made based on basic principles first presented by Rudolph Steiner, a noted Austrian agriculturalist. These principles emphasize the balancing of the holistic development and interrelationship of the soil, plants, and animals as a closed, self-nourishing system. The bio-dynamic compost is made from composted cotton gin waste, aged wood meal, green waste, chicken litter, peat humus, granite dust, and biochar, using static windrows approximately 6 feet high and innoculated with bio-dynamic preparations.
- 20. Bio-Dynamic Preparations Steiner prescribednine different preparations which are the cornerstone of biodynamic agriculture, and described how these were to be prepared. The prepared substances used for making the bio-dynamic compost are numbered 502 through 507, and are listed below: 502: Yarrow blossoms (Achillea millefolium) 503: Chamomile blossoms (Matricaria recutita) 504: Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) 505: Oak bark (Quercus robur) 506: Dandelion flowers (Taraxacum officinale) 507: Valerian flowers (Valeriana officinalis)
- 22. BD Preparations andtheir Purpose • Yarrow – Provides trace elements uptake in dilute quantities • Chamomile – Stabilizes nitrogen (N) in compost and enhances soil life • Nettle – Stimulates soil health providing plants with individual nutrition components needed • Oak Bark – Combats plant diseases • Dandelion – Stimulates relationship between silica and potassium (K) • Valerian – Stimulates compost for proper phosphorous (P) use by the soil
- 23. Placement of Bio-Dynamic Preparationsin a Pile Dandelion (506) Yarrow (502) Nettle (504) Oak Bark (505) Valerian (507) Chamomile (503)
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- 27. Preparing holes forinnoculation
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- 29. Adding Valarian toWater
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- 31. Spraying Valarian overEntire Pile
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- 42. Different Uses forCompost • Raised beds and container gardening • Organic fruit and vegetable gardens • Tree and plant nurseries • Lawn care maintenance • Golf course construction and maintenance • Tree care and deep root fertilization • Sports field construction and maintenance • Gro-Soxx • Erosion control filter soxx • Compost extract and tea
- 43. Raised Beds Organically Yours,Savannah, Ga.
- 44. Raised Beds Bercegray’s SquareFoot Garden using Mike’s Mix instead of Mel’s Mix
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- 46. Raised Beds • BeforeAfter Hampton Island Old Farm, Riceboro, Ga.
- 47. Raised Beds 10/19/2008 11/25/2008 11/25/2008 11/25/2008 Little St.Simon’s Island Garden
- 48. Container Gardening Shannon’s GardenVegetables
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- 50. Southern Native Plantings NativePlant Nursery Oakleaf Hydrangea Apple trees and Paw-paws
- 51. Organic Applications Walker FarmOrganic Onions Seedlings Harvest
- 52. Organic applications Peterson Gardenat Whitener Plantation
- 53. Lawncare Maintenance Before After PalmettoBluff, Bluffton, SC Lovett residence, Statesboro, Ga
- 54. Golf Course Construction HamptonIsland Golf Course
- 55. Greens Restoration Palmetto DunesGolf Course
- 56. Tree Care andDeep Root Fertilization
- 57. New Baseball Fieldat Screven County Sports Field Construction
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- 59. Fertilization and WeedControl
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- 66. Types • Compost tea– Brewed - Contains additives such as molasses, yeast extract, fish-based products, kelp, or green plant tissue. An active process. • Compost Extract – Extracted – Made from good compost and water. A passive process.
- 67. Uses for composttea • Fertilization • Foliar spray • Drip irrigation • Compost pile innoculation • Root injection
- 68. Compost Tea/Extract Considerations • Highquality, mature compost is essential • Pure, uncontaminated water is also important • Additives are used to extend the life of the tea to give the bugs something to eat
- 69. Methods of ProducingCompost Tea • Bucket Fermentation Method – An old passive method which makes an extract. • Bucket Bubbler Method – Similar to the Bucket Fermentation Method but uses a pump and air bubbler • Trough Method – Uses homemade tanks and pumps to re-circulate, bubble, and aerate the compost tea • Commercial Tea Brewers – Uses commercial equipment and added food sources, along with aeration.
- 70. Benefits of UsingCompost Tea/Extract • Reduces risk of diseases resulting from surface contact with chemicals • Cleanses the soil of the salt build-up • Boosts soil microbiology • Reduces inputs over a 3- year period. • Is a commitment to the environment and to future generations
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