HOW TO USE THE COMPOST The compost can be used at any time during its elaboration. Another question is what it brings to the earth at each stage of its decomposition process and where and how to contribute it.
To dose its distribution in addition to differentiating between its use in orchards, trees or shrubs and grass, we must know a little about the health and vigor of the soil and fundamentally its state of biological activity and its content in organic matter and therefore in humus.
Unfermented , freshly piled materials are not in a position to be incorporated into the nutrient cycle of the soil or plants. But they can serve as padding of the soil or mature compost itself, and over time and the activity of microorganisms will be incorporated into the humidification process. It is the moment of greatest presence of nutrients and also the one of least assimilation of nutrients for soils and plants.
The fresh compost can have a few weeks or several months but in it you can see the activity of macro-organisms such as worms, mealybugs and other species. Some remains can also be recognized because they are only partially decomposed. This young compost doesn't have to give off bad smells. It can be partially taken advantage of by the roots but we must avoid that its non-decomposed parts come into contact with the roots because they still contain inhibitory substances and also if they are buried they can produce rot and toxic elements due to lack of oxygen. It must be used exclusively on the surface, has a high fertilizer value and favors soil microorganisms. It should never be buried and according to environmental conditions it should be protected with a padding for use in orchards.
The mature compost . It can be between several months to a couple of years. The presence of worms is barely visible and the organic remains are no longer recognizable because they are perfectly decomposed. It has a homogeneous structure, a pleasant smell and a practically black color. It can be used in any type of plant without risk of producing inhibitions or other negative effects on its growth. Its fertilizing power is inferior with respect to a young compost since many of its elements have disappeared in the decomposition process. Its use is very suitable in clay soils and could be used in cover or slightly mixed with the most superficial layers of the earth.
The old compost . It is also called mulch. It is always more than one year old and is in the mineralization phase. It can be mixed with the earth and even buried and its action is more effective in heavy lands.
The compost slurry . For specific uses of fertilization of some plants or activation of the compost itself, the compost slurry can be used, which is simply the liquid extraction of many of the solid components of the compost.
To do this, start by mashing a proportion of mature compost and water in relation to weight and volume of compost and water of 1/10 or 3/10, depending on the strength we intend to obtain. Let it macerate for a minimum of one week, stirring at least once a day. Then it is filtered and the water with nutrients is used in the form of irrigation at the base of the plants taking care not to wet the leaves or stems. Leftover solids can be thrown into composting or distributed in coverage.
Use in seedbeds and in pots . To prepare this type of substrate it is convenient to mix a part of mature compost and three of soil. To avoid inhibitions in the germination or in development of the roots of the plants, the compost must be mature.
