We will know that the compost has matured when it presents a dark brown or black color, when the remains that we have put inside no longer differ, it smells like forest and when it does not give off heat.
Wednesday, February 12, 2020
When do we know that composting has matured?
When do we know that composting has matured?
We will know that the compost has matured when it presents a dark brown or black color, when the remains that we have put inside no longer differ, it smells like forest and when it does not give off heat.
We will know that the compost has matured when it presents a dark brown or black color, when the remains that we have put inside no longer differ, it smells like forest and when it does not give off heat.
Why crush plant debris
Why crush plant debris
MUNICIPAL DRY REMAINS DRY REMAINS READY TO CRUSH CRUSHED REMAINS
When the time of pruning comes , all the gardens are filled with branches that, together, can reach an important volume. These branches can have different destinations: serve as firewood in chimneys or barbecues, go to the green point, be deposited in specific containers (when there are any), pile up on the street (which entails collection, inconvenience to other neighbors, feeling of neglect, etc.), or serving as dry material in the composter. In the latter case, pruning becomes of fundamental importance. This material has a number of features that make it ideal for a good compost, but it needs processing.
The various functions performed by pruning within the composter are:
However, to fulfill all these functions it is necessary that the branches be cut into smaller or smaller fragments. Crushing is not essential to obtain compost, but it helps a lot.
Here are some of the reasons to shred :
To carry out the crushing of the remains of pruning we can use a bi-crusher.
MUNICIPAL DRY REMAINS DRY REMAINS READY TO CRUSH CRUSHED REMAINS
When the time of pruning comes , all the gardens are filled with branches that, together, can reach an important volume. These branches can have different destinations: serve as firewood in chimneys or barbecues, go to the green point, be deposited in specific containers (when there are any), pile up on the street (which entails collection, inconvenience to other neighbors, feeling of neglect, etc.), or serving as dry material in the composter. In the latter case, pruning becomes of fundamental importance. This material has a number of features that make it ideal for a good compost, but it needs processing.
The various functions performed by pruning within the composter are:
- Absorbs excess water provided by other materials such as grass or kitchen scraps.
- It helps to maintain the balance between the amount of carbon and nitrogen . Both are essential nutrients that have to be in adequate proportions for the composting process to be correct. Pruning remains provide more carbon and thus compensate for remains with a high nitrogen content, such as cooking, grass clippings or manure.
- It brings volume to the compost.
- It gives fluffiness to the content , which allows for better air circulation and makes the process take place in the presence of oxygen.
However, to fulfill all these functions it is necessary that the branches be cut into smaller or smaller fragments. Crushing is not essential to obtain compost, but it helps a lot.
Here are some of the reasons to shred :
- Pruning remains are very bulky. The reason is the stacking, which is very little compact and leaves many empty spaces. When the remains are crushed, the smaller fragments can be joined more together, which considerably reduces the volume.
- If uncrushed branches are introduced into the composter, excess sponging causes excessive drying of the material, and a reduction in the rate of transformation of organic matter.
- The size of the fragments is of great importance in the rate of transformation of organic matter, because, if the size is large, the bacteria and fungi have little penetration power, and can only grow on their outer surface. If you crush too much, on the other hand, it can also be harmful. An object in one piece has much less surface than the same shredded object, which will have more space on which bacteria and fungi can develop, which leads to a higher rate of decomposition. The ideal size of the branch remains should be 5-15cm.
- During the usual maintenance of a composter it is necessary to turn the remains to homogenize and aerate them. If the fragments are large, the turning is much more laborious than if it is crushed material.
To carry out the crushing of the remains of pruning we can use a bi-crusher.
Should soil be added to the composter?
Should soil be added to the composter?
Adding soil initially to the composter will favor the process, since this soil will contribute fungi, bacteria and other beneficial microorganisms to start and accelerate the composting process. However, it is not necessary and you can start the process perfectly without it and it should be considered that it also occupies a lot of volume and will weigh heavily when you have to harvest the compost .
Adding soil initially to the composter will favor the process, since this soil will contribute fungi, bacteria and other beneficial microorganisms to start and accelerate the composting process. However, it is not necessary and you can start the process perfectly without it and it should be considered that it also occupies a lot of volume and will weigh heavily when you have to harvest the compost .
The most important thing: the mix of materials composting
The most important thing: the mix of materials composting
INCORRECT MIX INCORRECT AIR MIX
Always mix the remains that are deposited. It is not necessary to make layers of fresh and wet materials or layers of intercalated dry materials, that is, everything has to be well mixed. This does not mean that it is necessary to remove every day, but only when a significant amount of the same material is deposited, such as cut grass or a pile of dried leaves.
However, if what is desired is to approach perfectly to achieve a balanced and quality compost , it is necessary to mix the same amount of wet remains rich in “green” nitrogen (kitchen debris, green leaves, freshly cut grass, plants orchard or garden, etc.) that of dry remains rich in "brown" carbon (dried leaves, straw, sawdust, crushed branches, pineapples, etc.).
But because the production of certain remains at a time of the year or another varies, it is not necessary to be aware of maintaining the exact proportion. Of course, we must keep dry leaf in a small warehouse or drawer when we have an excess for when we do not have (for example in summer).
If small amounts of organic matter are deposited every day, it is enough to mix the remains inside the composter once a week and only by the top layer where the last remains have been deposited. A good way to remove the remains could be, for example, with an aerator or with a gallows to aerate the remains.
INCORRECT MIX INCORRECT AIR MIX
Always mix the remains that are deposited. It is not necessary to make layers of fresh and wet materials or layers of intercalated dry materials, that is, everything has to be well mixed. This does not mean that it is necessary to remove every day, but only when a significant amount of the same material is deposited, such as cut grass or a pile of dried leaves.
However, if what is desired is to approach perfectly to achieve a balanced and quality compost , it is necessary to mix the same amount of wet remains rich in “green” nitrogen (kitchen debris, green leaves, freshly cut grass, plants orchard or garden, etc.) that of dry remains rich in "brown" carbon (dried leaves, straw, sawdust, crushed branches, pineapples, etc.).
But because the production of certain remains at a time of the year or another varies, it is not necessary to be aware of maintaining the exact proportion. Of course, we must keep dry leaf in a small warehouse or drawer when we have an excess for when we do not have (for example in summer).
If small amounts of organic matter are deposited every day, it is enough to mix the remains inside the composter once a week and only by the top layer where the last remains have been deposited. A good way to remove the remains could be, for example, with an aerator or with a gallows to aerate the remains.
What does composting smell like?
What does composting smell like?
Composting is a process that does not smell bad, its smell reminds the earth of a humid forest.
In case of humidity there may be a temporary mismatch, to solve it we will have to add more dry material and remove.
Composting is a process that does not smell bad, its smell reminds the earth of a humid forest.
In case of humidity there may be a temporary mismatch, to solve it we will have to add more dry material and remove.
Is it necessary to water or add any product to the composter?
Is it necessary to water or add any product to the composter?
If the necessary contributions of each type of material are made, carefully observing if more dry or wet material has to be added, the composter will never have to be watered. However, in summer it will be convenient to water it if it is seen that at some point it is very dry due to high ambient temperatures.
In case there are not enough kitchen remains (process activators), we can always use a granulated accelerator based on microorganisms and organic substances, which act on plant residues and other degradable materials, accelerating their decomposition .
If the necessary contributions of each type of material are made, carefully observing if more dry or wet material has to be added, the composter will never have to be watered. However, in summer it will be convenient to water it if it is seen that at some point it is very dry due to high ambient temperatures.
In case there are not enough kitchen remains (process activators), we can always use a granulated accelerator based on microorganisms and organic substances, which act on plant residues and other degradable materials, accelerating their decomposition .
The composter's location
The composter's location
The domestic composter can be in direct contact with the earth or it can be found on a base in asphalted areas or on terraces.
In the case of being in contact with the soil , it will be very positive for the composting process, since the microorganisms of nature will come into contact with the remains that are deposited inside it and also to allow the drainage of the excess water from the vegetables. Keep in mind that kitchen waste contains 70% water. A part of this water is absorbed by the dry leaves that must be added, but the rest is filtered very slowly.
When you want to place a garden composter on a base, it will be when a surface with soil is not available. In these cases, the composter has a base to which the composter is attached and which allows the leachate to be collected in a container by means of a liquid collection system located at the base of the composter. Thus, the composter can be placed on any surface, whether it is paved or on the terrace, operating in an equally correct way to that of a baseless composter .
We must ensure that the composter does not receive too much heat stroke to avoid having to water. Ideally, in winter it would be in the sun, so as to avoid temperatures that are too low that can harm organisms and in summer in the shade, to prevent those same organisms from dying due to excessive temperature and that the composter is too dry. The ideal place would be under a deciduous tree or on a terrace next to decorative plants that provide enough shade in the composter.
It takes between 50 cm and 1 m of space on the sides to be able to extract the mature compost with comfort.
The domestic composter can be in direct contact with the earth or it can be found on a base in asphalted areas or on terraces.
In the case of being in contact with the soil , it will be very positive for the composting process, since the microorganisms of nature will come into contact with the remains that are deposited inside it and also to allow the drainage of the excess water from the vegetables. Keep in mind that kitchen waste contains 70% water. A part of this water is absorbed by the dry leaves that must be added, but the rest is filtered very slowly.
When you want to place a garden composter on a base, it will be when a surface with soil is not available. In these cases, the composter has a base to which the composter is attached and which allows the leachate to be collected in a container by means of a liquid collection system located at the base of the composter. Thus, the composter can be placed on any surface, whether it is paved or on the terrace, operating in an equally correct way to that of a baseless composter .
We must ensure that the composter does not receive too much heat stroke to avoid having to water. Ideally, in winter it would be in the sun, so as to avoid temperatures that are too low that can harm organisms and in summer in the shade, to prevent those same organisms from dying due to excessive temperature and that the composter is too dry. The ideal place would be under a deciduous tree or on a terrace next to decorative plants that provide enough shade in the composter.
It takes between 50 cm and 1 m of space on the sides to be able to extract the mature compost with comfort.
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