CompostingDr. Samina Khalid27-04-15

Composting‘’Combining and managing of specific waste materials so that they decompose’’‘’is the management of the bio decay of organic matter into a humus like material by other organisms’’“Composting is a method of returning organic wastes to the earth in an easily reusable form”

Once the material are mixed together microbes in soil starts to breakdown the waste and turn it to nutrient rich material (humus) that helps to grow plantsAdvantages:Increase soil fertilityReduce waste products (food

scarps and yard waste) deposition in landfills

Composting

Vermicomposting Type of composting that uses red

wiggler earthworms to breakdown organic material.

Earthworms are placed deep in waste bin comprised of layers of waste including dirt, newspaper and leaf trimmings.

Bin should have small holes in the bottom for aeration and drainage.

What you will need

Brown material to produce carbon:• Dead leaves, branches

and twigs• Sawdust and wood chips• Cotton and wool rags• Shredded piece of paper,

cardboard, newspaper• Shredded piece of nuts• Coffee filter

Green material to produce Nitrogen• Grass clipping and

leaves• Fruits and vegetable

scraps• Hair• Lint• Tea and coffee ground

Water

Bottlesscissors and razor blade/knifemarking penNailsCandlepH paper

Construct a compost columnMark a ring on the bottle (Figure 6) where you

want to make the cut.Cut bottle No. 1 from top, 2 from bottom and 3

from both top and bottom as shown in the fig.Note in Figure 4&5 above that the shoulder of

bottle #3 is cut at so that it fits into bottle #2Place the bottle on its side against a solid

objectMake holes in the sides of the bottles with hot

nail to provide aerationPlace a piece of net over the spout of bottle 2

with rubber bandPut the column together as shown in the fig

Steps for compostingSelect dry shady spot near water

sourceAdd brown and green material in

alternate layersKeep compost moist but not wetOccasionally turn the compost

material to provide aerationAs material breakdown the pile

will get warm

ObservationsObserve the odor of the

column.Recycle water which

drains into the bottom of the bottle column.

Check the pH of the water as composting proceeds

Check the temperature of the column

What not to compostMetalsGlass and other products that does not

easily breakdownCoal and charcoal ashDiseased or insect-ridden plantsPet wastesBones MeatFats oil and dairy products and eggs (egg

shell are ok)Yard trimming treated with pesticides