Composting

History

Humans have been composting since their transition from hunters and gatherers to agriculturists to enhance the quality and quantity of our yields.12,000 years ago in the British Isles, Scotts plowed and seeded compost piles instead of spreading compost around plots. The Akkadians of Mesopotamia have the first written reference of compost, on cuneiform tablets from 2300 BC.

What is it?

Water is one of four equally important ingredients for composting to work effectively, the other three being carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen. Water, in the right amounts helps maintain activity without causing anaerobic conditions.

Nitrogen

As one of four important ingredients in composting, nitrogen helps to grow and reproduce more organisms to oxidize the carbon. High nitrogen materials tend to be green, or colorful, like fruits and vegetables, as well as very wet.

Carbon

Carbon is for energy. The microbial oxidation of carbon produces the heat, if included at suggested levels. High carbon materials tend to be brown and dry. The most efficient composting occurs with an optimal carbon nitrogen ratio of 25:1.

Water

Water is one of four equally important ingredients for composting to work effectively, the other three being carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen. Water, in the right amounts helps maintain activity without causing anaerobic conditions.

Aerated Static Piles

What is it?

Compost is organic matter that has been decomposed in a process called composting. This process recycles various organic materials otherwise regarded as waste products and produces a soil conditioner. Compost is very rich in nutrients.

Method 1

1.Add lavers of loosely piled bulking agents so air can pass from the bottom to the top of the pile.

2.Agents can be: Woodchips, Shredded newspaper, etc.

Method 2

1. Compost piles can be set over pipes which blow air into/draw air out of the piles.
2.Blowers may be activated by timers or temperature sensors.
3.This is the method we unseat KPSP.