3. • Compost is organic matter that has been
decomposed in a process called
composting. This process recycles
various organic materials otherwise
regarded as waste products and
produces a soil conditioner. Compost is
rich in nutrients.
5. How do you prepare the
composting area?
• Consider the volume (dimension;
with/diameter, length and the
depth) of needed supply fertilizer
• Proximity and availability of raw
material
• Area with minimal sunlight or
covered garbage area.
• Good drainage and area of
minimum contamination
• Accessibility of composting area.
6. What are the characteristics of composting area?
• Good drainage system
• Availability of water supply
• Proximity to the source of raw
materials
• Accessibility of the composting site
• Area of minimum contamination
• Types of soil
• Area with minimal sunlight
7. What are the raw materials
for composting?
• Crop residue
• Animal manure
• Leguminous plants
8. How do you produce vermicast and vermicompost?
1. Set up feeding system (SUBSTRATE)
EXACT RATIO: Carbon 70% - N 30%
Carbon Source – hay/rice straw, grass, banana tree
parts, degraded fruit and vegetable peelings, sugarcane
leaves, bagasse or mud press, coconut and corn saw
dust, paper or carton.
Nitrogen Source: Leaves of madre de cacao, ipil-ipil,
peanuts and other legumes, animal manures except
humans
Is an organic/natural fertilizer that is
created by using composting
earthworms.
9. After 7-14 days, these semi-
decomposed materials can be
fed to the worms. This is called
“Anaerobic Decomposition”.
Maintaining the vermi-bin
• Cover the vermi-bin.
• Maintain moisture level of the substrate (60-
70% moisture content, with 5-7 drops when
squeezed).
• Turn the substrate if too compacted.
• Protect the worms against chickens, rats,
snails, birds, frogs, ants, and humans.
• My vermicompost bin is being attacked by
rats. I will have my bin covered. I will post a
picture once the cover is accomplished.
Feeding the worms
Once substrate are decomposed and
cooled, these may be fed to the
worms.
For every 50 kilos of substrate, put in
1 kilo of worms. This is the starter
substrate.
10. Harvesting
The bin may be harvested once it is at
90% castings. Manually skim harvest
the top of the casting heap. Place
new substrate beside existing casting
heap so the worms will move (to the
new substrate).
How to prepare vermi-tea
• We can prepare our own liquid fertilizer using these
steps:
• Materials needed: drum, casting, and water.
• Mix thoroughly water and casting at 1:4 proportion.
• Soak for 1-3 days.
• Water these to plants early in the morning or late in
the afternoon.
• Make sure to keep the mixture in a shaded place so as
not to kill the microorganisms.
• We mix the vermi-tea with water at 1 vermi-tea : 10
water, and feed the mixture to the soil.
Storage or usage
Sieve the castings, and place in
sack, if they will be sold.
Maintain 30% moisture.
There is no need to sieve castings
if they will be used in one’s own
farm.
12. Care and
maintenance
of compost
• Location: Keep away from areas that collect
water. In cooler climates, avoid constant shade
• Aeration: well ventilated bin, adding thicker,
woody material will keep air flowing throughout
the pile. Make sure the compost isn't soggy or
dense.
• Carbon and nitrogen: Maintain a 30-to-one
carbon-to-nitrogen ratio. Manure or organic
fertilizer can be added to boost the nitrogen level.
• Moisture: The pile should always be moist but
not soggy. During dry spells the pile may be
watered;
• Temperature: The highs and lows support
different kinds of bacteria important to the
process of decomposition. Too much nitrogen will
make the pile so hot many of these bacteria will
die.
•Bin: Should be approximately
3' x 3' x 3', well-ventilated, with
easy access to the pile for
turning with a pitch fork or
shovel. Bins are readily
available from many municipal
recycling programs and most
home and garden stores or you
can build your own.
13. What are the advantages
of an organic fertilizer
over a chemical-based
fertilizer?
• Organic fertilizer –
improves soil structure
• Chemical – based
fertilizer – destroy soil
structure
14. What are the positive
contribution of
organic fertilizer to the
environment?
• Improves soil and
water conditions
• Promotes health
aspects (nature and
human)
15. How do you apply
fertilizer to the
soil/plants and
when?
• Solid Organic Fertilizer – is applied
basally by incorporating in the soil
prior to planting or transplanting and
being absorbed by the plants through
the root system.
• Liquid/foliar Fertilizer – is sprayed to
the plants, particularly on the leaves,
which absorbed through the stomata
• Time of Application??????
16. What makes
fertilizer
ORGANIC?
• Made from natural sources,
organic fertilizers provide garden
plants with slow-release,
consistent nourishment. ...
Organic fertilizers that feed the
soil and sustain plants include
animal waste and byproducts,
such as bird and bat guano, blood
meal, bone meal and feather meal,
as well as fish and kelp fertilizers.
17. How do you preserve the
potency of your organic
fertilizer?
• Store in dry, dark and
cool place.
• Packaging
• For foliar, add molasses
to prolong shelf-life.
18. What are the important
elements present in an
organic fertilizer?
• Macro Elements- N,
P, K
• Micro Elements – Ca,
Mg, S, Mn, Al, Cu,
Mo, Zn, Fe, B