THE RAW MATERIALS OF COMPOST.

THE RAW MATERIALS OF COMPOST.

For the compost elaboration any organic matter can be used, with the condition that it is not contaminated. Generally these raw materials come from:

•     Remains of crops. They can be used to compost or as padding. Young vegetable remains such as leaves, fruits, tubers, etc. are rich in nitrogen and poor in carbon. The most adult plant remains such as logs, branches, stems, etc. are less rich in nitrogen.
•     Green manures, grass mowing, weeds, etc.
•     Pruning branches of fruit trees. It is necessary to crush them before joining the compost, since with large pieces the decomposition time is extended.
•     Leaves. It may take 6 months to two years to decompose, so it is recommended to mix them in small quantities with other materials.
•     Urban Remains It refers to all those organic remains from kitchens such as fruit and vegetable remains, slaughterhouse animal remains, etc.
•     Animal manure Stresses cow dung, although others of great interest are chicken, rabbit or sirle, horse manure, sheep and slurry.
•     Mineral supplements. They are necessary to correct the lacks of certain lands. Highlights limestone and magnesium amendments, natural phosphates, rocks rich in potassium and trace elements and powdered siliceous rocks.
•     Sea plants. Every year, large quantities of seagrasses such as oceanic Posidonia are collected on the beaches, which can be used as raw material for the manufacture of compost since they are compounds rich in N, P, C, trace elements and biocomposites whose use in agriculture as a green fertilizer can be of great interest.
•     Algae. Numerous species of seaweed, rich in antibacterial and antifungal agents and fertilizers can also be used for compost manufacturing.

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COMPOST PROPERTIES

COMPOST PROPERTIES

• It improves the physical properties of the soil. Organic matter favors the stability of the structure of agricultural soil aggregates, reduces bulk density, increases porosity and permeability, and increases its water retention capacity in the soil. More fluffy soils with greater water retention are obtained.
• Improves chemical properties. It increases the content of macronutrients N, P, K, and micronutrients, cation exchange capacity (CIC) and is a source and store of nutrients for crops.
• It improves the biological activity of the ground. It acts as a support and food for microorganisms since they live at the expense of humus and contribute to its mineralization.
• The microbial population is an indicator of soil fertility.

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WHAT IS COMPOSTATION?

WHAT IS COMPOSTATION?

Composting or composting is the aerobic biological process, whereby microorganisms act on rapidly biodegradable matter (crop residues, animal feces and urban waste), allowing to obtain "compost", excellent fertilizer for agriculture.

Compost or mulch can be defined as the result of a process of humification of organic matter, under controlled conditions and in the absence of soil. Compost is a nutrient for the soil that improves the structure and helps reduce erosion and helps the absorption of water and nutrients by plants.

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The composting of the pinnace

The composting of the pinnace

Pine needle, also called pinnace , is a dry material that is difficult to decompose if it is not mixed with other materials within the composter .

The composition of the leaves of the different types of pine that exist does not vary much, therefore, the composting of these leaves is the same for all.

The best way to compose the pinnace is to do it in small quantities and always mixing it with kitchen or grass scraps. Mixing with remains containing 70% water will make the composting process of this material simple.

In the gardens where there is grass under the pines, the same mower is responsible for crushing and mixing the two materials.

In cases of strong wind, when the garden is too full of pinnace, it is not necessary to deposit it all at once inside the composter, because, then, the composting process stops. What can be done is to store a part to light the fireplace or barbecue and then deposit the ashes in the composter .

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Composting in the different seasons of the year

Composting in the different seasons of the year

Composting is a recreational activity linked to gardening and / or horticulture that can be carried out throughout the year, because organic remains are continuously produced, at least those of the kitchen in domestic composting .

The typology of the remains that are generated, both those from the garden, those from the garden or those from the kitchen, vary throughout the year, depending on the season.

To obtain the best compost , the optimum process conditions must always be maintained, regardless of the type of debris produced at each station. For this, the materials that have to be composted will be managed so that, throughout the year, this rewarding activity can be carried out with simplicity and comfort.

Everyone who has an orchard or garden at home has observed that in autumn, and especially in winter, in most outdoor plants they stop, at least apparently, many of the characteristic manifestations of living organisms: they leave to grow, to make flowers, to make new leaves or branches, etc. Deciduous trees even appear dead when the cold season arrives.

But, in reality, life continues, although at a very low rate, practically to maintain minimum vital conditions and basic survival metabolism (the sap continues to circulate, albeit slowly, inside the plant), waiting for the arrival of the good weather.

In late autumn or early winter it is appropriate to bring new compost to the soil because plants need, more than nutrients, to renew the chemicals needed to produce the defenses they need to fight the cold and other possible enemies, such as some parasites drought etc

It is at this time of the year when the most important volumes of remains from the deciduous plants are generated in the orchards and gardens, since they lose all their leaves and, in addition, if they are cut, the cut branches are accumulated in piles that can become of a considerable size.

One of the conditions to make a good composting is to mix the wet remains, like the kitchen ones, with other drier ones, like the fallen leaves of the trees. If there are a few deciduous trees or shrubs in the garden or garden, it is certain that significant quantities of dried leaves and pruned branches will be produced that will be used to mix with green remains when composting.

But, most likely, an important part of these dry materials will be left over, since it should not be forgotten that the mixture between wet and dry remains should be done in adequate proportions to ensure the production of a good compost. The recommended percentage is to put 50% of each material, approximately and depending on the time of the year and the humidity of the composter.

If this remaining dry material is poured into the composter, the ideal conditions of the process would be altered, which would slow down considerably and, in addition, the resulting compost would lose efficiency and quality. Therefore, the most advisable thing is to keep the leftover dry remains of winter, because they will be needed when the good weather arrives.

Returning to the theme of the seasons of the year, everyone has observed that spring is the time of rebirth of life in nature and, therefore, also in orchards and gardens : plants begin to bloom, grow back new leaves and branches sprout and the field is dressed in new and vivid colors.

The time has come to collect the compost from the composter and spread it around the garden, since the plants need the nutrients from the compost to produce all the new organs they will generate.

In the kitchen they will continue to generate wet remains that will continue to be composted and, therefore, will have to be mixed with dry remains. But if you look at our garden or garden you will see that everything is green and there are no more dry materials to combine with the greens of the kitchen. Then, quickly, it will go to the warehouse of dry remains and there, if it has been foresight, you will find all the material that will be needed to mix with the green that will be generated.

Before pouring to the composter the branches and other long or bulky remains, whether they are dry or green, they have to be chopped or crushed conveniently so that the optimal conditions of a good composting process are maintained and that it develops quickly and efficient.

As summer progresses and autumn approaches, the life cycles of the plants will be fulfilled. Some will die, others will be uprooted because they have already produced the crop that is needed, others will be shedding their flowers, leaves, fruits, twigs, etc. Gradually, remains will be accumulated that will be deposited in the dry materials warehouse, thinking about the next composting cycles.

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The compost, temperature and humidity

The compost, temperature and humidity

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.

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The humidity in the composter

The humidity in the composter

Moisture is defined as the content of water in the composter with respect to all the matter inside. It is much more common to express it as a percentage, since it will indicate the proportion of water with respect to the entire compost mass.

But what is the right amount of water in the composter? How can it be determined?

Moisture Determination

Always check the humidity in the center of the composter. The upper part and the sides are not usually too representative, since they have greater exposure to the outside and are always modified. Experienced can be determined by appearance, but initially the croquette method is probably more effective. It consists of taking a small proportion of the sample by hand (latex gloves can be used so as not to stain our hands, for example) and squeeze these remains, doing as a kind of croquette with the hand. Then three things can happen. The first, that, when squeezing the sample, it begins to drip. This would mean that there is an excess of moisture . The second, after squeezing the sample, when you open your hand, it is moistened but does not drip. It would be the best possible situation, since the humidity would be correct. The third case would be that, when opening the hand after squeezing, it was dry and the croquette was undone. It would indicate a lack of water. But can there be problems if water is missing or left over? And if so, how can it be solved?

Lack of water (Humidity less than 40%)

When too much dry material is poured into the composter , if it gets too much sun or if the remains are turned over, it will probably be detected that the process slows down a lot. This is caused by a lack of water that means that organisms cannot live well, and therefore do not perform their functions. As a result of this lack, the rise in temperature characteristic of the degradation will not be detected and we will see that the remains remain dry, without decomposing.

The solution is simple: add more water. First, we will try to increase the humidity by pouring more wet remains (kitchen debris and green vegetation) and decreasing the proportion of dry remains. If, even so, the humidity is still low, then we can moisten the composter with water, always trying to distribute it well throughout the composter (a shower can be used) with a subsequent flip of the material, to distribute it even more.

Excess water (Humidity greater than 60%)

Too much water is usually accompanied by another nuisance: bad smells . Water forms a thick film around our organic waste and does not let oxygen reach the material to degrade it. In addition, the aspect of compost is that of a mud.

In this case, to solve the problem we will have to add more dry material (dried leaves, crushed branches, untreated natural wood shavings, wood ashes without additives ...). You can also stop pouring kitchen debris for a few days, until the humidity drops. Old newspaper is another option, as long as the pages are black and white, since color inks have more toxic components that can affect the composer's living beings. In any case, it is always advisable to have dry reserve material (to solve specific moisture problems). You can accumulate dried leaves or crushed pruning or leave a part of the lawn to dry and store it. After adding the dry material, it is necessary to remove. In this case, removing brings two advantages: on the one hand it distributes moisture and, on the other, exposing the compost to the atmosphere to dry it. It is advisable to turn and aerate the remains more often when the humidity is high.

And if there are very dry areas and very wet areas, what should be done?

You will have the two problems explained in the previous two sections. Probably the overall humidity is correct, but what happens is that it is poorly distributed (layers or areas with different humidity are observed). It is very characteristic to find the sides of the composter drier than the center, because they are more exposed to the outside. In this case, the solution is much simpler: it is necessary to homogenize, that is, mix the dry material with the wet one to compensate for both humidities. If after doing this the composter is dry or wet, consult the previous sections.

What does moisture depend on?

The location of the composter is one of the conditions. For example, if you get a lot of direct sun, you will have a tendency to be dry. If the problem is location, probably the best solution is to change the composter, as long as that is possible. With the passage of time, you will learn what is the correct proportion of dry and wet materials for the composter and what are their specific needs according to their location.

Similarly, weather conditions can also condition humidity. For example, it is common that, after a rain, the humidity of the composter has increased.

Finally, the humidity also depends on everything we introduce into the composter, that is, the organic waste. If it is not taken into account that both dry and wet material have to be poured, the humidity of the composter will probably not be well controlled. Suitable proportions are three parts wet by one dry approximately.

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