kwantlen farm school 2012 chris thoreau. what is composting? the rapid biological decomposition of...
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Composting 101
Kwantlen Farm School 2012
Chris Thoreau
Composting 101
What is Composting?
The rapid biological decomposition of organic matter
Microorganisms turning organic matter into plant food
Rapid nutrient cycling
Breeding of microorganisms or worms
This is my approach to composting
Our goal in composting: to provide microorganisms with the food they need to thrive and thus rapidly decompose organic materials while retaining the maximum amount of nitrogen in those materials
Composting 101
Many types of composting
Anaerobic Composting/Digestion
Slow process in absence of oxygen or in low oxygen environment
Easy method for small-scale composting
Retains nitrogen very well
“Backyard” Composting
Small-scale; good for home waste diversion
Requires little management
Composting 101
Worm Composting
Can be done indoors or on large scale
Results in nutrient-rich compost or “castings”
Finished compost in 3-5 months or sooner depending on system
Relatively high management needs (harvesting)
Composting 101
“Hot” Composting
Method for large quantities of organic matter
Rapid decomposition - as little as 4-8 weeks for certain materials
Requires some management to ensure high quality
We will focus on this method
Composting 101
So let’s breed some microorganisms…
Hot Composting
Best method for rapidly making large volumes of compost
Heat can destroy weed seeds and pathogens
Good for soil fertility and structure building
Requires frequent monitoring and turning
Process of building pile is important
Composting 101: Hot Composting
Hot Composting
Often benefits from off-farm nitrogen source
Works good as soil inoculant
Quality of compost depends on:
• Quality of feedstock/composting materials
• Quality of monitoring
• Effort in preparing pile
Composting 101: Hot Composting
Six key elements to good hot compost (and most other methods as well):
1. Carbon:Nitrogen (C:N) ratio
2. Air
3. Water
4. Surface Area
5. Critical Mass of Pile
6. Diversity of Materials
Composting 101: Hot Composting
1. Carbon to Nitrogen Ratio
Food for the compost pile – must be balanced
Ideal ratio: 24:1
Microorganisms need 24 carbon molecules for every 1 nitrogen molecule they consume
Ratio too wide (e.g., 50:1)?
Process is slower
Ratio too Narrow (e.g., 10:1)?
Process is faster, but nitrogen lost as ammonia
Composting 101: Hot Composting
Composting 101: Hot Composting
1. Carbon to Nitrogen Ratio
How to Balance:
General rule: equal parts browns and greens
This shifts depending on how brown or green
Increased surface area in nitrogen materials:
Increases decomposition rate
Acts like higher N content, but used up quicker
Get familiar with common materials available to you
Composting 101: Hot Composting
1. Carbon to Nitrogen Ratio
Essentially, the C:N ratio determines how hot the compost pile will get
The heat is a by-product of microbial activity
An indicator of how happy your microorganisms are
Nitrogen is often a limiting factor
Importing nitrogen is crucial for good hot compost
Too much heat = too much N = N loss to ammonia
– Also reduces diversity of microorganisms
Composting 101: Hot Composting
2. Air
Your microorganisms need air to breathe
Gas exchange is crucial for life
Think of your compost pile like your soil
How much air does it need (by volume)?
About 20-25%
How do we promote good aeration?
Mix pile consistently as you build it
Use some woody and fibrous materials
Composting 101: Hot Composting
2. Air
Even with good porosity air space will decline
Pile becomes more dense as it decomposes – filling pores
Passive aeration tubes can be used to maintain air flow
How do I reintroduce air into the pile?
Usually by turning the pile and mixing the contents
More nitrogen can be added at this point if needed
Composting 101: Hot Composting
2. Air
Air is used to control rate of decomposition
Adding air can increase decomposition rate
Removing air slows the process
Can be used to help correct high C:N ratio
Forced air used for in-vessel systems
Composting 101: Hot Composting
2. Air
Air can be added passively or actively
Passive:
Building good porosity into the pile using “twiggy” materials
Using perforated pipes horizontally layered in the pile
Active:
Physically turning or manipulating the pile
Forced air used for in-vessel systems
Composting 101: Hot Composting
3. Water
Your microorganisms need water – just like you
• Water also softens materials for decomposition
Good porosity allows extra water to drain away
Makes it difficult to over water your pile
Some materials with have a higher water content
Other materials will be very dry
Composting 101: Hot Composting
3. Water
Water usually needs to be added to the pile
Add water while building your pile
How much water?
50% water by weight!
Pile should be quite wet
“As damp as a wrung out sponge”
Organic matter will absorb water and allow pore space to remain for air flow
Composting 101: Hot Composting
4. Surface Area
Microorganisms are small – their food should be too!
Increased surface area = easier and faster dining
Chopping up materials greatly increases decomposition rate – especially high C materials
Materials can be screened after composting to reduce large pieces before adding to soil
Large pieces of OM in soil can tie up nitrogen – especially high carbon materials
Composting 101: Hot Composting
Area of activity
5. Critical Mass of Pile
Microorganisms create heat when eating and they like to stay warm
Larger pile = increased insulation
1 metre cube pile is sufficient for good insulation
Larger piles insulate well
Bottom of pile may be anaerobic
Composting 101: Hot Composting
6. Diversity of Materials
Your microorganisms like a diverse diet
Also results in more diverse microorganisms
Diversity of materials = diversity of nutrients
Also makes it easier to balance C:N ratio
Dynamic accumulators can be grown specifically to be added to pile to improve quality and N content
Use large, fast-growing plants that re-grow after cutting
Comfrey; Angelica
Composting 101: Hot Composting
6. Diversity of Materials
Diversity of materials is not essential to make compost
But it is essential to make good compost
Compare the following compost piles
Horse manure and leaves
Horse manure, chicken manure garden waste, comfrey, okara, grass clippings, leaves, sawdust, willow branches
Composting 101: Hot Composting
Other things to consider:
The seasonality of composting materials
Carbon materials are prevalent in the fall
Nitrogen materials are prevalent in the growing season
What off-farm materials are easily available?
Manures; leaves or other carbon materials
Composting 101: Hot Composting
Other things to consider:
Composting of weed seeds, rhizomes and diseased plants
Is it safe? How to do so safely?
Where and how will you compost?
Do you have a staging area?
Do you have a tractor?
Using a bin or windrows?
Composting 101: Hot Composting
Other things to consider:
Protect the pile from the weather
To control water level in pile
Knowing the C:N ratio of the most common materials is important in making a good pile
Learn how to judge C:N ratio of new materials
Very active soil food web in compost pile
Many trophic (feeding) levels
Different organisms digest different materials at different times
Composting 101: Hot Composting
Soil Food Web
Bacteria are primary decomposers of OM
Work quickly on diversity of materials
Generate heat in compost pile
Fungi also important
Only organism that breaks down lignin (found in wood)
Thrive in acidic environments
Active in latter parts of decomposition
Composting 101: Hot Composting
Soil Food Web
Arthropods
Consume OM and each other
Work on outside of pile when hot
Worms
Consume their weight each day in OM
Help aerate compost pile
Composting 101: Hot Composting
Composting 101: Hot Composting
The Evolution of a Hot Compost Pile:
Our goal:
To build a compost pile, taking into consideration the six principles of hot composting, that will heat up to a temperature of 55ºC and maintain that heat for up to several weeks
Composting 101: Hot Composting
1. Stockpile materials on farm
Materials will start to decompose
2. Import nitrogen (if required) and build the pile
3. Monitor pile temperature
4. Turn or aerate pile when temperature has dropped by 8 - 10ºC
Add N if required when turning for first time
Turn pile 3-5 times upon cooling
5. Let pile cure
Composting 101: Hot Composting
1. Stock pile materials from on farm
These are organic materials generated on the farm
Weeds
Leaves
Harvest trimmings
When pile is of sufficient size bring in manure source for hot compost
Composting 101: Hot Composting
Composting 101: Hot Composting2. Import Nitrogen
Nitrogen is limiting factor for rapid decomposition
Manure
Okara
Grass Clippings
3. Build Pile
Start with rough materials on the bottom
Layer carbon and nitrogen materials
Mix every 3-4 layers
Water pile while building
Add aeration pipe while building
Top with carbon materials; cover with tarp
Composting 101: Hot Composting
4. Monitor Pile
Use thermometer to check temperature
If T too low
– Too dry? Too wet? Not enough N?
Watch for falling temperature
– Signal to turn pile
Composting 101: Hot Composting
5. Turn Pile
Use machine or fork depending on size
Mix materials well when turning
Add N if desired
Add water if needed
Composting 101: Hot Composting
6. Let Pile Cure
Larger organisms finish off decomposition
Bacteria and fungi continue to work
Composting 101: Hot Composting