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In last
week's article, the basics of composting were discussed. This week's
part of the composting series will focus on other factors that are
needed for a compost pile to be successful, and ways to keep the compost
pile in your yard.
In addition to a variety of materials that will break down, a compost
pile has organisms that live in it which do all of the work. These
organisms need water, air and food, just like any other living thing.
The food for them is what you have put into the compost pile to be
decomposed. Water and air must be supplied, and regular monitoring
will help you decide how much water and air you need to add.
The decomposition process will occur more rapidly when oxygen is present.
Turning the compost pile on a regular basis (weekly or so) will help
ensure that enough oxygen gets to all parts of the pile to encourage
a quick decomposition rate. A pitchfork is a good tool to use to turn
the compost pile. When the pile is turned regularly, you will notice
that the contents change their appearance each time. By the third
turning, the original contents should not be recognizable. Keep in
mind that when the original contents are shredded, decomposition will
occur more quickly, also.
Water is needed too. Sources from Cornell Cooperative Extension indicate
that a moisture content of 40-60 percent is a good amount of water
that does not interfere with the aeration process. How does a gardener
know when the magic number has been reached? Usually the "squeeze"
test is a good indicator. The material should feel damp to the touch,
with just a drop or two of liquid expelled when the material is tightly
squeezed in the hand.
Monitoring the temperature of a compost pile is a good practice. When
the bacteria are busy decomposing the material in the pile, heat is
produced. Do not let the pile become too hot. Putting a thermometer
into the middle of the heap will let you know how the pile is doing.
If the temperature is between 90-140 degrees, decomposition is occurring.
To have a "hot" pile, the temperature must be hot enough
to kill the weed seeds but not so hot that it kills the bacteria which
are doing the work! The best temperatures to accomplish this are between
120-140 degrees. A temperature over 140 degrees is too hot, and the
pile needs to be turned to help cool it down.
If you choose not to do anything to your compost pile, decomposition
will occur anyway, but just at a much slower rate. If you are willing
to wait 1-2 years to have humus ready for your garden, then this way
is just fine. Many people find that the time element in their lives
prohibits them from turning the pile, but those who do have humus
in 2-6 months.
A compost pile can be just that - yard, garden and food waste that
is put into a pile in your yard. A good size for a compost pile is
3 feet high by 3 feet wide by 3 feet deep. This is large enough to
hold the heat but small enough to allow air to get into the center
of the pile. Many people will use fencing of some kind to contain
the pile.
There is also what is known as "compost pockets." These
are places in your garden where the fruit and vegetable wastes from
the kitchen that were collected in a plastic container or bucket are
buried. The holes should be about 10-15 inches deep and not larger
than 2 feet across. Bury the scraps into the hole, covering them with
at least 8 inches of soil.
The 3-bin method is used by people who plan to maintain their compost
pile. Using this system requires more effort to construct and maintain,
but the final product is available much more quickly. Basically, three
3-sided rectangular bins are constructed from wood, concrete blocks
or whatever the gardener would like to use. The compost is put into
the first bin, and after a week or so, is transferred into the 2nd
holding bin. The last turning puts it into the third bin where is
waits to be used as humus. Large amounts of compost are used in this
system.
There are drawings and detailed plans of these composting systems
at the Cornell Cooperative Extension office at 110 Court Street in
Penn Yan. If you would like to have plans of a system for your compost,
stop in or give a call at 315-536-5123. Master Gardeners are available,
for the next few weeks, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9:00
am until 12:00 noon. Happy gardening!
Last
updated: 6/7/01
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