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Making Gourmet
Compost
By: Duane MarcusThe Funny Farm
Stone Mountain, Ga
www.funnyfarmatl.com
http://www.funnyfarmat.com/http://www.funnyfarmat.com/http://www.funnyfarmat.com/ -
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Composting Defined
Composting is the process of
utilizing the aerobic organisms in
the soil food web to quickly break
down organic materials to create
organic matter and humus and to
make the nutrients bound up in
organic materials available to plants
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Why Make Compost?
1.ADD BENEFICIAL ORGANISMS TO SOIL
2.RECYCLE NUTRIENTS CAPTURED BY PLANTS
3.IMPROVE SOIL STRUCTURE
4.REDUCE WATER NEEDS
5.SUPPRESS DISEASE CAUSING ORGANISMS
6.DEGRADE TOXINS IN SOIL
7.KEEP ORGANIC WASTES OUT OF LANDFILLS
8.REDUCE WATER POLLUTION
9.ELIMINATE NEED FOR CHEMICAL
FERTILIZERS
10.ELIMINATE NEED FOR CHEMICAL PESTICIDES
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PLANTSFEED BACTERIA &
FUNGI
ORGANIC MATTER
-LEAVES-FRUIT & SEEDS
-ROOTS-STEMS
-BRANCHES-BARK
BACTERIASTORE NUTRIENTS
FUNGISTORE NUTRIENTS
CONSUME TOUGH STUFF
LIKE BARK, WOODCONSUME SOFT STUFF
LIKE LEAVES, FRUIT
PROTOZOA(FLAGELLATES,
AMOEBAE, CILIATES)
RELEASE
NUTRIENTS
NEMATODESRELEASE NUTRIENTS
MITESRELEASE
NUTRIENTS
CONSUME BACTERIA,
NEMATODES &
EACH OTHER CONSUME BACTERIA
& FUNGI
CONSUME FUNGI
LARGER
PREDATORSWORMS, SOW BUGS,
ANS, MILLIPEDES,
SPIDERS
RELEASE NUTRIENTS
PREDATORY
MITESRELEASE
NUTRIENTS
PREDATORY
NEMATODESRELEASE
NUTRIENTS
RELEASE NUTRIENTS
IN FORMS PLANTS
CAN USE
RELEASE NUTRIENTS
IN FORMS PLANTS
CAN USE
FEED EXUDATES
BACTERIA IN
RETURN FOR
NUTRIENTS
FEED EXUDATES
FUNGI IN
RETURN FOR
NUTRIENTS
EXTRACT
NUTRIENTS
FROM SOILEXTRACT
NUTRIENTS
FROM SOIL
SOIL FOOD WEB DIAGRAM
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SHREDDERS
Break down organic litter and mulch
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Fungi
Continue breakdown of organic matter
extract nutrients from soil and mineral
fertilizers
transport water and nutrients to plants viamycelium
bind soil particles together which improvessoil structure and water retention
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Mycorrhizal fungi
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Bacteria
breakdown organic matter
extract nutrients from the soil and minerealfertilizers
make nutrients available to plants
bind soil particles together improving soil
structure and water retention
fix nitrogen from the atmosphere
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rhizobium bacteria colonizelegumes and fix nitrogen
from the atmosphere
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PROTOZOA
- flagellates, amoebae,ciliates
eat bacteria and fungi releasing nutrientsthat are available for plants to use
ciliates present in compost is an indication
of anaerobic conditions
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Testate amoeba
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Other members of the
soil food web nematodes - some eat bacteria, some eat
other nematodes, some eat plants
rotifers
mites
ants spiders
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Nematodes
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Rotifer
Unknown organism
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Earthworms
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Foodweb Analysis
Compost
Report prepared for:
The Urban Gardener Inc 09/01/2006
Duane Marcus 01-103216 | Submission:01-017664
347 Boulevard SE WORM
Atlanta, GA 30312-3350 USA
(404) 529-9977 1633
Report Sent:
Sample#:
Unique ID:
Plant:
Invoice Number:
[email protected] 08/28/2006Sample Received:
For interpretation of this report please contact:
Local Advisor: or regional lab
Consulting fees may apply
Soil Foodweb, Inc
(541) 752-5066
OrganismBiomass Data
Dry Weight ActiveBacterial
(g/g)
TotalBacterial
(g/g)
ActiveFungal(g/g)
TotalFungal(g/g)
HyphalDiameter
(m)
Results
Comments
0.190
Too Wet
0.45
0.85
239
Excellent
3281
Excellent
123
Excellent
5688
Excellent
3
15
25
100
3000
15
25
100
300
Results
Comments
14481
High
10000
14481
High
438
High
15.0
Low
Not Ordered
10000 50
100
20
30
Results
Comments
1.73
High
0.75
1.5
0.02
Good
0.07
Good
0.52
Low
100-150
0.01
0.1
0.01
0.1
0.75
1.5
Protozoa
Numbers/g
Flagellates Amoebae Ciliates
TotalNematodes
#/g
Percent MycorrhizalColonization
OrganismBiomass Ratios
Total Fungalto TotalBacterial
Active to TotalFungal
Active to TotalBacterial
Active Fungalto ActiveBacterial
Plant AvailableN Supply(lbs/acre)
Nematodes per Gram of Soil
Identification to genus
ExpectedRange
Low
High
ExpectedRange
Low
High
ExpectedRange
Low
High
Not Ordered
ECTOENDO
Bacterial Feeders
Cephalobus 2.04
Metadiplogaster 0.21
Panagrolaimus 0.07
Rhabditidae 0.56
728 SW Wake Robin Avenue Corvallis, OR 97333-1612 USA
(541) 752-5066 | [email protected]
www.soilfoodweb.com 01-103216: Page 1 of 2
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Foodweb Analysis
Compost
Report prepared for:
The Urban Gardener Inc 09/01/2006
Duane Marcus 01-103215 | Submission:01-017664
347 Boulevard SE HEN
Atlanta, GA 30312-3350 USA
(404) 529-9977 1633
Report Sent:
Sample#:
Unique ID:
Plant:
Invoice Number:
[email protected] 08/28/2006Sample Received:
For interpretation of this report please contact:
Local Advisor: or regional lab
Consulting fees may apply
Soil Foodweb, Inc
(541) 752-5066
OrganismBiomass Data
Dry Weight ActiveBacterial
(g/g)
TotalBacterial
(g/g)
ActiveFungal(g/g)
TotalFungal(g/g)
HyphalDiameter
(m)
Results
Comments
0.540
In Good Range
0.45
0.85
59.4
Excellent
4613
Excellent
237
Excellent
1555
Excellent
2.5
15
25
100
3000
15
25
100
300
Results
Comments
2564
Low
10000
8520
Low
788
High
25.3
Good
Not Ordered
10000 50100
2030
Results
Comments
0.34
Low
0.75
1.5
0.15
High
0.01
Good
4.00
High
100-150
0.01
0.1
0.01
0.1
0.75
1.5
Protozoa
Numbers/g
Flagellates Amoebae Ciliates
TotalNematodes
#/g
Percent MycorrhizalColonization
OrganismBiomass Ratios
Total Fungalto TotalBacterial
Active to TotalFungal
Active to TotalBacterial
Active Fungalto ActiveBacterial
Plant AvailableN Supply(lbs/acre)
Nematodes per Gram of Soil
Identification to genus
ExpectedRange
Low
High
ExpectedRangeLow
High
ExpectedRange
Low
High
Not Ordered
ECTOENDO
Bacterial Feeders
Cephalobus 11.34
Metadiplogaster 1.78
Panagrolaimus 0.27
Fungal/Root Feeders
Aphelenchoides Foliar nematode 0.27
728 SW Wake Robin Avenue Corvallis, OR 97333-1612 USA
(541) 752-5066 | [email protected]
www.soilfoodweb.com 01-103215: Page 1 of 2
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Why Make Compost?
1.ADD BENEFICIAL ORGANISMS TO SOIL
2.RECYCLE NUTRIENTS CAPTURED BY PLANTS
3.IMPROVE SOIL STRUCTURE
4.REDUCE WATER NEEDS
5.SUPPRESS DISEASE CAUSING ORGANISMS
6.DEGRADE TOXINS IN SOIL
7.KEEP ORGANIC WASTES OUT OF LANDFILLS
8.REDUCE WATER POLLUTION
9.ELIMINATE NEED FOR CHEMICAL
FERTILIZERS
10.ELIMINATE NEED FOR CHEMICAL PESTICIDES
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Types of Composting
Hot Composting - thermal composting Cold Composting
Vermicomposting - worm composting
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Requirements for
successful composting1.MICROORGANISMS
2.MOISTURE3.AERATION
4.FOODS FOR MICROORGANISMS
Compost is only as good as the ingredients that go into it- a soil test is required to determine if your plants will be
deficient in any nutrients
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Foods for Microorganisms T Y P E O F F O O D E X A M P L E S % F O R B A C T E R I A L
C O M P O S T% F O R F U N G A L C O M P O S T
HI - NITROGEN Manure, blood meal,
alfalfa meal, seeds, coffee
grounds, fish fertilizer,
brewery waste, grains and
seeds
10% 10%
GREEN MATTER Fresh garden trimmings,
kitchen waste, brewery
waste, spring or fall fescue
clippings or hay
50% 40%
WOODY MATTER Shredded leaves, sawdust,
wood chips40% 50%
Be careful of using too much manure based
compost. This can result in excess potassium
in the soil throwing off the phophorus/
potassium ratio
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Gourmet Compost Ingredients
Kelp Meal
Local Granite Sand - 810 sand
Green Sand
To add micronutrients
To add nitrogen
Whole oats or other seeds Alfalfa meal
Feather meal
cottonseed meal
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AERATION- Ingredients must include coarse as well as
fine particles to insure the pile does not
become anaerobic.- The pile must not stay saturated with
water to prevent anaerobic conditions
- The pile must be turned regularly torelease CO2 and incorporate oxygen
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MOISTURE
- The microorganisms require water to function. The pile must bekept moist but not so saturated that there is no space for air.
- Water must be added as you build or turn the pile to be sure it is
thoroughly incorporated. The water must not be chlorinated
because chlorine kills microorganisms. You can spray your pilewith a fine spray held away from the pile to let the chlorine
dissipate.
- Moisture levels should be maintained at 50%. Take a handful of
ingredients and squeeze it if water runs out the moisture level is70%(ok in the beginning). If a few drops run out it is 50%. If it
sticks together but no water runs out it is 40%. If it falls apart it is
30% or less. Add water immediately.
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TEMPERATURE- If organisms are present in sufficient quantities and the foods are present in
the correct proportions, the pile will heat up as the organisms consume the
foods.
- You should monitor the temperature with a compost thermometer. The
temperature in the middle of the pile must be above 135
for 3 days to kill weed seeds and disease-causing organisms. You need to turn
the pile to get all of the ingredients into the middle and heated to 135 for 3 days
to be sure all the compost at the end of the process has been heated sufficiently
to eliminate weeds and disease. Your pile should be turned 4-5 times.
- The temperature should never exceed 155. Above 155 all the oxygen will have
been consumed by the hard-working bacteria and fungi and the pile will go
anaerobic. Anaerobic organisms do some bad things to compost. They produce
alcohols and other chemicals that are toxic to good organisms. They combine
water and nitrogen into ammonia which is a gas. The ammonia gas escapes into
the air taking all the nitrogen your plants will need. If your pile smells like
ammonia(or vomit, or poop) you probably have anaerobic conditions. Turn the
pile immediately!
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C t Pil
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Compost Pile
Construction Minimum size 3x3x3 layer ingredients starting with woody
materials, then green, then high nitrogen,then gourmet ingredients
water thoroughly
repeat when all materials are used up turn the pile
to mix everything together
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Compost Pile
Maintenance Keep Moist
Turn weekly (or when interior
temperatures reach 155) repeat for 3
weeks or until pile no longer heats up
when turned
Turn monthly thereafter Should be ready in 6-9 months
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Using Compost
Pro erl Compost should be applied as a top-dressing
Apply no more than 1 at a time. 1/2 issufficient- too much compost can throwyour nutrient ratios out of balance
Apply each time a new crop is planted toboost the soil food web so nutrients will beavailable to your plants. Get a soil test
regularly.
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Vermicomposting
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Requirements for Successful
Vermicomposting1.MICROORGANISMS2.MOISTURE
3.AERATION4.FOODS FOR MICROORGANISMS
5.COMPOST WORMS -RED WIGGLERS
6.CONTAINER
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TYPES OF CONTAINERS
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WHAT CAN YOU PUT IN A WORM BIN?
DO PUT IN DONT PUT INVEGETABLE SCRAPS MEAT AND FAT
SHREDDED PAPER LOTS OF CITRUS
TORN CARDBOARD LOTS OF ONIONS
TOILET PAPER TUBES PET FECES
How do you get the
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How do you get theworms out?
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GROWING OYSTER MUSHROOMS ON
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GROWING OYSTER MUSHROOMS ONWASTE PAPER OR COFFEE GROUNDS
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