Composting

Composting

Composting is the biological decomposition (rotting and decaying) of plant residues, farm animal manures, and kitchen scraps under controlled conditions. Once these materials are completely decayed, the end product is called compost. Compost is a decayed organic matter that is earthy, dark, and crumbly.

Pile or Heap Composting

What to prepare

1. A semi-shaded 3 ft x 3 ft area (90 cm x 90 cm)
2. Composting materials
   a. Green materials that are rich in nitrogen (freshly cut grasses, twigs, branches and barks that are cut into small pieces, kitchen scraps, farm animal manures)
   b. Brown materials that are rich in carbon (dried leaves, straws, cornstalks and other dried plant residues, and cut old newspapers
   c. Garden soil
   d. Water
3. Garden fork or shovel

Step by step procedure

1. Spread a layer of several inches thick (about 6 inches; 15 cm) of the brown materials on the surface soil. This is the first layer.
2. Add for the next layer, the green materials, about 6 inches thick (15 cm).
3. Top this with a thin layer of garden soil.
4. Sprinkle enough water to make the layers moist but not wet or soggy.
5. Repeat the steps 1 - 4, until your pile reaches the height of 3 feet (90 cm).
6. Turn the pile after 2 weeks to heat it up. Use a garden fork or shovel to turn the pile. To mix, move the decomposing materials at the middle towards the outside and the outside materials towards the center of the pile. Then you can mix it every 5-7 days, thereafter. If your compost has a strong odor, turn it more often as your is pile is tightly packed and is poorly aerated.
7. Ensure that the pile is heating up. When you first turned the pile, you may see steam rising from it. This signals decomposition. You can cover the pile to keep the heat in.
8. Add nothing to the pile once the composting process has begun.
9. The compost is finished when the pile is no longer heating up and the original materials turn earthy and black.

Pit composting

What to prepare

1. Compost pit that is; 1-1.5 m length x 1-1.5 m width x 1 m deep
2. Composting materials
   a. Green materials that are rich in nitrogen (freshly cut grasses, twigs, barks and branches cut into small pieces, kitchen scraps, farm animal manures)
   b. Brown materials that are rich in carbon (dried leaves, straws, cornstalks and other dried plant residues, and cut old newspapers
   c. Garden soil
   d. Wood ash
   e. Water
3. Long, sharp, pointed stick/s
4. Farm implements such as wheelbarrow, watering can, hoe, machete/bolo

Step by step procedure

1. Dig the compost pit in a semi-shaded and non-water logged area.
2. Place dry plant materials as the first layer. This should be about 20-25 cm thick. Sprinkle enough water to make the composting materials moist but not wet.
3. The next layer will be composed of green materials, either fresh or wilted grasses or weeds. Twigs and branches can also be added unless they are chopped into smaller pieces. This layer should also be 20-25 cm thick.
4. Top this with a mixture of animal manure, soil, and ash. This layer should be 10-15 cm thick.
5. Repeat the steps 1-3 until the pile reaches a height of 1 m. You make the pile thicker in the middle (than the sides) to create a dome-shaped pile. This makes turning the pile easier.
6. Place the stick/s vertically into the pile to allow the air to circulate into the various layers.
7. Cover the pit with broad leaves plants like banana leaves, taro leaves, etc.
8. Turn the pile every two weeks. The compost is ready after 3-4 months.

Tips for better composting

1. Keep the pile moist.
2. Keep the pile well-aerated.
3. Maintain a balance of the green and brown materials. Too much of one slows down decomposition. The best ratio is 1 part green to 1 part brown material. Shredding and chopping these materials into smaller pieces will help speed the composting process and increase the pile's surface area.
4. Do not add diseased plants, human wastes, cats and dogs feces as the harmful pathogens found in these waste products may not be killed in the process of decomposition.
5. Do not add matured weeds as their seeds may not be killed in the process of decomposition and may germinate once you use the compost in your field.

Uses of compost

1. An excellent source of organic matter that has plenty of beneficial organisms.
2. Adds soil nutrients necessary for plant growth.
3. Improves plant growth.
4. Controls plant disease pathogens.
5. Controls soil borne pathogens.
6. Improves the soil condition and texture. It breaks up clay soil, helps sandy soil retains moisture, and relieves compaction.
7. Improves soil drainage.
8. Reduces soil erosion.
9. Helps rehabilitate infertile soils.
10. Makes the soil easy to cultivate