Post on 12-Apr-2017
Compost 101
LocationDate , 2016
Presented by:Speaker #1 Speaker #2
Environmental concerns The process: composting
The product: compost
Composting at home
Presentation outline
Compost 101 and Composting at home
● Environmental concerns linked to organic waste management
● The process of composting organic waste
● Compost as an end result, a product
● Composting at home, outside and inside
Environmental concerns
1.0
Landfilling organic waste● Leachate● Water table and nearby
rivers● Watershed scale● Greenhouse gas emissions● Alternative: Make better use
of organic “resources”
1.1
Agricultural land issues● Use of biocides
○ Pesticides○ Herbicides○ Fungicide
● Use of synthetic fertilizers○ Algae bloom
● Watershed scale impacts● Concentration effect● Solution: use of compost
1.2
Urban land issues
● Contaminated land○ Illegal dumping
● Degraded land● Construction sites● Abandoned land● Solution: use of compost
1.3
The Process of Composting
2.0
Soil food web● Organic waste / resource
○ All organic matter● Microfauna● Microflora● Fauna● Flora● Nutrient cycling
2.1
Modern composting ● Composting: Managed process of bio-oxidation of a solid
heterogeneous organic substrate, including a thermophilic phase
● Improved technology● Targeting conditions favorable to composting● Scale of composting
○ Domestic○ Farm○ Commercial○ Industrial
2.2
2.3
Time
°C
45°C
Larger scale composting
2.4
Compost: the end product
3.0
Compost: the end product ● Components
○ Sand / Silt / Clay○ Water○ Carbon & Nitrogen○ Other Essential Nutrients (Potassium, Phosphorus,
Calcium, Magnesium, Iron, etc)○ Biota
● Physical properties○ Porosity○ Water retention capacity○ 45-65% water (should be damp but not wet)
● Chemical properties○ pH○ C:N, other nutrients○ Cation exchange capacity (CEC)
3.1
Benefits of adding compost to your garden PHYSICAL:
● Improves structure - both immediate and long term○ Enhances aggregation in sandy soils○ Reduces compaction in clay and clay-loam soils○ Increases porosity for easier access to roots by water and gasses
● Helps soil retain, distribute and manage moisture content
CHEMICAL:
● Modifies, stabilizes and buffers pH levels● Increases Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) of soils
○ Reduces nutrient leaching○ Facilitates slow release of nutrients to soil and plants
3.2
Benefits of adding compost to your garden BIOLOGICAL:
● Adds life to soil○ Bacteria, protozoa, actinomycetes, fungi○ Sufficient organic matter promotes earthworm proliferation, which helps
with soil aeration and water filtration● Suppresses plant diseases
○ … But, if it is homemade, ensure it is mature, has achieved the necessary temperatures for the inputs that went in, and has a good C:N ratio.
3.3
Benefits of adding compost to your garden ADDITIONAL:
● Binds contaminants (including heavy metals)● Degrades compounds (including petrochemicals)● Wetland restoration● Erosion control● Weed control● Filtration capacities (sediment barrier)
3.4
Composting at home
4.0
Backyard composting
4.1
● Outdoors● Larger volume
○ 4-5 persons● Seasonal
○ Less active during winter● Varied inputs● Needs space
○ In contact with the soil● Easy management
Worm composting
4.2
● Indoors● Smaller volume
○ 1-2 persons● All year round● Selected inputs● Needs very little space
○ Cupboard, underneath sink● Slightly technical
○ Basic knowledge is required
Rules of thumb
● Humidity: wrung out sponge
● Odor: earthy smell● Size: 1 cubic meter● Aeration: once a month● Location: covered● Inputs: smaller is better
4.3
● Humidity: slight condensation
● Odor: earthy smell● Size: 2 shoe boxes or
more● Aeration: leave open for
the night if condensation happens underneath the lid
● Location: stable● Inputs: smaller is better
Backyard composting Worm composting
Useful tools ● Gloves● Fork● Shovel● Lock and chain● Trowel● Weeding fork / cultivator● Extra carbon material
4.4
Troubleshooting
● Odors● Pest (squirrels,
raccons)● Soggy compost● Weeds● Ants● maggots
4.5
● Odors● Flies● Waterlogged● Small insects taking
over the bin● Roaming behavior
Backyard composting Worm composting
Inputs and Foods
● Balance Carbon and Nitrogen (C:N)● Water content● Required composting conditions● Impact on composting conditions
4.6
Inputs and Food Activity
Q&A
Thank you !
Thomson House, McGill March 30th, 2016
Presented by:Vincent Beaudoin
Cameron Stiff
Environmental concerns The process: composting
The product: compost
Composting at home