composting a presentation by mr.allah dad khan former dg agri extension khyber pakhtunkhwa ...

What iscomposting?

CompostConsidered a soil

amendment more than a fertilizer

Key benefit: Restores soil biology

Well decomposed compost is best» Reduces tie-up of N» Reduces potential for

soil-borne diseases

Typical analysis:N – 1.5 to 2%P – 1.5%K – 1.5%

Water air

Organic waste

50% green, 50% brown

(by volume)

C:N ratio 30:1

Finished Compost

C:N ratio 10:1

CO2, H2O

Microorganisms

You can control how fast compost happens – cold vs. hot composting

Feed ‘em …

Vegetable trimmings

Fruit pulp / rinds

Egg shells

Coffee grounds

Coffee filters

Banana peels

Apple cores

Potato peels

Tea bags

Red Wiggler worms live in compost, not in the soil per se

Mix in compost before planting

Vegetable and annuals beds: 2-3” compost

Containers for vegetables and annuals: use finely textured, mature compost. No more than 1/3 by volume.

Amending Soil with Compost

Helps form soil aggregatesImproved air and water movementImproved soil structure and soil tilthReduced surface crusting and soil erosionTurns soil into a “sponge” – helps absorb and infiltrate

onsite water

In clay soils – increases aeration, water infiltration

In sandy soils – increases water holding capacity, helps hold nutrients

Amending Soil with CompostHow Does it Help?

It’s dinner for your garden!

Composting is nature’s process of recycling living and nonliving

material to fertilize soil.

Why do we compost?

• To reduce the amount of garbage we throw away.

• To recycle plants, food, and other materials to feed plants.

How does composting work?

• The combination of air, water, brown and green materials break down into very small pieces and create food for plants in your garden.

Composting Recipe:

•Water• Air• Green material• Brown material

Brown Composting Material:

• Brown composting material are items that are dead and high in the element carbon.

• This includes:– Dried plants– Leafs– Pine needles

Green Composting Material:

• Green composting material are items that are alive and high in the element nitrogen.

• This includes:– Grass clippings– Vegetables– Fruit

What can you compost?• Apples• Bananas and Banana Peels• Other Fruits• Vegetable Peels and Scraps• Bread and Noodles (that are not too greasy)• Nut Shells• Rice• Coffee Grounds and Filters• Egg Shells• Flowers• Grass Clippings• Leafs• Tea bags & filters

What not to Compost:• Do not compost:– Meat– Fish– Greasy Foods– Fried Foods– Cheese– Milk– Yogurt– Oils– Bones– Animal droppings

What can you do?

• Compost your cafeteria and school snacks into one of our many school compost bins.

• Encourage your classmates and your teacher to do the same.

• Encourage your family to compost at home!