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Managing Compost Windrows
With proper formulation, within the first few days you will notice a steady rise in temperature in a new compost pile as the microbes reproduce and the process of breakdown accelerates. If the material is too wet, the temperature may remain quite cool and constant. Wet material can be dried by turning more frequently until the temperature begins moving up. However, compost that has over 60 % moisture is usually too wet to turn and will smear. Proper formulation with wet and dry ingredients, correct C:N ratio and the use of fleece covers helps you control the moisture content of the compost. For areas that receive excess rain, or large operations, open ended buildings may be required. Normally the compost will continue to rise in the breakdown stage until it reaches 120 to 149 degrees F, at which point it may suddenly stop. Keep on monitoring the temperature. If it stays up, fine. If it drops, turn again. Oxygen meters may also be used for more accurate measurements. Composting occurs when coarse organic materials are broken down into a simpler form by microorganisms. Building a compost pile is a bit like raising livestock. In this case microorganisms are the (micro) livestock, and our goal is to provide them with everything they need for optimum growth. They need proper food (carbon source/organic materials), nitrogen based materials, trace minerals, air, moisture and green matter/chlorophyll, (green chop, vegetable clippings, alfalfa etc., as long as it still has some green/chlorophyll in it) Moisture needs to be around 50-60%. Anything higher will cause difficulty as the compost will smear and possibly go anaerobic. A simple test may be conducted to determine the moisture level of the compost. Take a handful of composting material and squeeze it in your hand. It should form a ball which you can bounce in your hand. If it is too dry, no ball forms. If a ball forms, but it is one that will not break after a few bounces, it is too wet. Moisture meters are recommended for more accurate measurements.
HOW DOES IT WORK? In the next stage, populations shift and actinomycetes (a microbe that contributes to earthy odour) and many other microbes rise in numbers breaking down the more resistant materials such as lignin. By this time, due to the rise in temperature from microbial interaction, there is a suppression of any pathogenic microbes and toxins . Aeration, by turning, is also important during this period to eliminate anaerobic conditions which delay completion. The final 3 rd stage during which the stabilization of compost occurs leads to the rebuilding of the decomposed organic matter into humus. Microbes eat organic matter and each other until particles reach a colloid state known as humus. Good compost should have 50 - 80 % humus. Humus particles are usually covered with microbial residue often high in carbon. This residue helps store carbon in soil and bond humus particles. These particles are in a collloid state. The creation of humus is a type of natural nano technology that has existed for many years. Composting changes nitrogen from an inorganic and water-soluble form to an organic, insoluble form. This bound or organic nitrogen is then released slowly to plants over a period of time via microbial interaction. The result is that most of the organic nitrogen is recycled into plants as the plants require and the slow, sustained release of nutrients into the soil protects ground water. Microbes also create their own network producing fibers that act as natural filters in soil. Microbes are susceptible to excessive amounts of "Free" water soluble Nitrogen. Near the end of the 6-10 week cycle you reach a point when the temperature throughout the mix of compost begins to fall. The moisture is right (using the ball test and moisture meter) and in fact the material has reached that stage when it is no longer easy to distinguish ingredients in the windrow. This is usually 6-10 weeks depending upon the feedstocks/ingredients. If your compost is still heating excessively after 6-10 weeks you are probably using too much nitrogen based ingredients.Your compost is finished when you no longer recognize what the original materials were and when the temperature no longer changes. Temperature readings should be the same as the atmosphere. The compost should be sweet smelling like forest soil, fluffy and dark brown. At this point, your compost is probably ready for spreading on the land or sale. We recommend microbial lab testing prior to spreading or distribution. For accurate database calculations for formulas please contact our office.
Building A Windrow (Booklet),
A Step by Step Instruction
Process for Effective Composting
To order email sales@globalrepair.ca, or call 1-866-271-0719, 1-416-686-3690, fax 1-416-686-1744. For more info please visit our Compost Accessories Page
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