Composting is a biological process that is carried out by microorganisms (fungi, bacteria, etc.) and other larger organisms (worms, small insects, etc.). The activity of organisms causes the temperature of the materials to rise to high values that should not exceed 65-70 ° C.
The process needs three fundamental requirements to be carried out: that the materials have a balanced content of dry and wet remains , that the mixture has sufficient aeration and that there is a certain amount of water during the first phases of the process.
If we guarantee these conditions, the process will start normally reaching high temperatures at the beginning, and then, at the end of the process, reach room temperature.
It is important to maintain the humidity around 60% during the first phases of the process, since the organisms in charge of the decomposition of the materials need a certain water content to develop their activity.
During the composting process the temperature must be controlled. In the first phases of the process the temperature must reach values close to 65 ° C. It should not exceed higher values, since many microorganisms can die. To control the temperature there are thermometers with a long probe (1 m.) That tell us the temperature inside. If we do not have a thermometer, we can introduce the hand to make a direct observation.
It is also necessary to control the humidity so that it does not lower, during the first phases, 60%. This humidity point is similar to that of a freshly drained sponge.
Aeration is achieved by turning the material every so often. The flips are performed when the temperature drops too low (less than 30-40 ° C), so once the flip is done, this temperature rises again to values close to 50-60 ° C. The more we turn the more we speed up the process, however, one turn every 15 or 30 days may be sufficient for a process between four or six months.
