Composting is an environmentally friendly solution that takes advantage of organic waste to create a natural fertilizer source. Not only does this method save costs, it also improves soil quality, enhances agricultural ecosystems and reduces waste. In this article, we will learn in detail about “What is compost? Benefits, characteristics and most common composting methods.” today“
1. What is compost?
Compost is a type of organic fertilizer made through the controlled biological decomposition of organic waste such as plant residues, kitchen waste, animal manure, etc. The composting process turns raw organic materials into a nutrient-rich soil that can be used to effectively improve and loosen soil.
- Organic origin: Compost is made from natural materials that can be decomposed.
- Rich in nutrients: It provides a wide range of nutrients, both organic and trace, in an easily absorbable form for plants.
- Soil improvement: Compost helps increase porosity, moisture retention, and limit soil erosion.
- Environmentally friendly: By taking advantage of organic waste, composting contributes to reducing the amount of waste going to landfills.
- Improving soil structure: Compost adds a large amount of humus, making the soil more porous and breathable, enhancing the sustainable structure. This helps plant roots grow stronger and easier.
- Increased water and nutrient holding capacity: Improved soil structure helps soil retain moisture better and limits nutrient leaching, especially important in sandy soils.
- Decomposes toxins and balances pH: Compost helps break down some toxins in the soil and has buffering properties, helping to balance soil pH.
- Enhancing beneficial microflora: Compost contains a rich and beneficial soil flora, helping to inhibit harmful microorganisms, protecting plants from some pathogens.
- Reduce waste: Effectively utilize organic waste sources from agriculture and kitchen to produce fertilizer, contributing to significantly reducing the amount of waste going to landfills.
- Cost savings: Provides a low-cost, local source of fertilizer, helping to reduce dependence on expensive chemical fertilizers.
2. The benefits of compost for plants and the environment
Compost is a fertilizer created from the natural decomposition of organic matter such as leaves, dry grass, vegetable peelings, food scraps and animal manure. This process takes place thanks to the activity of microorganisms in conditions of sufficient air and moisture, converting organic matter into humus. Compost contains many essential nutrients, bringing many practical benefits to both gardeners and the environment. Specifically:
- Improving soil quality: Compost is a source of organic fertilizer rich in nutrients, helping to improve soil porosity, increase water holding capacity and provide necessary nutrients for plant growth. This type of fertilizer is especially useful for fertile soil, helping plants grow healthier.
- Save on fertilizer costs: Instead of having to buy expensive chemical fertilizers, composting allows you to take advantage of available organic materials such as leaves, straw, hay, and leftover food to create free fertilizer. Thanks to that, contributes to saving costs and reducing dependence on industrial products.
- Environmental protection: Compost helps reduce the amount of organic waste dumped in landfills, thereby minimizing methane – a harmful greenhouse gas. Furthermore, composting also helps reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers, contributing to protecting the soil and water environment from pollution.
- Enhancing soil microflora: Compost contains many beneficial microorganisms, helping to balance the soil ecosystem. These microorganisms break down organic matter, helping plants absorb nutrients better, while improving overall soil health.
Compost contains many nutrients necessary for plants, helping to improve soil porosity
3. Popular composting methods
Composting can be done by many different methods, depending on the scale and conditions of the worker. Below are some popular composting methods and detailed instructions on how to do it:
3.1 Hot composting method
Hot composting method takes place quickly and is highly effective. This technique requires implementation in a large plot of land to allow for the creation of large sized compost piles so that the internal temperature can reach 50-60°C helps the compost quickly destroy organic materials. To successfully perform the hot incubation method, you need to prepare all the ingredients according to the following formula:
- Step 1: Prepare organic ingredients such as leaves, dry grass, straw, spoiled vegetables and animal manure. Chop ingredients if possible to help speed up the decomposition process.
- Step 2: Start layering ingredients according to the following formula, a layer of straw and dry leaves about 15-20 cm thick, then a layer of “green” ingredients such as fresh grass and leftover food. Continue alternating until the compost pile is about 1-1.5 meters high.
- Step 3: Make sure the compost pile has moderate moisture. If the compost pile is too dry, add more water. In case of composting in the rainy season, the pile is too wet, you can put tarpaulins or plastic bags around it and add dry materials such as newspapers and dry leaves to balance.
- Step 4: In order for the compost to heat up and decompose quickly, people need to turn the compost pile periodically every 1-2 weeks. Furthermore, turning the compost pile helps provide oxygen for microorganisms activity, while maintaining the temperature inside the compost pile.
- Step 5: You need to use a thermometer to monitor the temperature of the compost pile. When the temperature reaches about 50-60°C, microorganisms will be active and the decomposition process will take place quickly.
Hot composting method with quick time for high efficiency in creating compost quickly
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3.2 Vermicompost composting method (Using earthworms)
Composting according to the vermicompost method requires the use of earthworms, usually red earthworms (Eisenia fetida), to decompose organic matter such as vegetable peels, leaves and leftover food from plants into nutrient-rich organic fertilizer. Earthworms consume organic matter and excrete a type of humus, called worm castings, which is rich in beneficial microorganisms and nutrients for plants. This method is usually done as follows:
- Step 1: Prepare a compost bin with drainage holes and ventilation holes. Line the bottom of the box with a layer of soil or substrate to serve as an initial habitat for earthworms. Use red worms or suitable worm species to decompose organic matter.
- Step 2: Add organic food for the worms including vegetable peelings, leaves, hay and leftovers from plants. Avoid using meat, grease or dairy products, as they can attract insects and cause unpleasant odors.
- Step 3: Take good care of worms by ensuring moderate humidity is maintained, they need a moist environment to live and decompose food. Depending on the specific situation, you can spray more water or cover with dry leaves or newspaper.
- Step 4: After a while (about 2-3 months), the worms will decompose organic matter into nutrient-rich humus. Worm droppings can be harvested and used directly as fertilizer for plants.
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Worm compost is rich in nutrients and beneficial microorganisms, helping to improve soil and support plant growth
3.3 Cold composting method
Cold composting is a natural way of composting, simpler and less labor-intensive than traditional methods. Instead of having to ensure a large space to create a high-temperature compost pile like hot composting, the cold composting method allows organic materials to slowly decompose over time, suitable for those who do not have much time or space but still want to recycle organic waste. To implement this method, you can follow these steps:
- Step 1: Choose a corner of the garden or a cool, shady area to create a compost pile. If space is limited, you can replace it with a compost bin or net.
- Step 2: Collect organic waste such as leaves, vegetable peelings, hay and leftover food. Chop the ingredients into small pieces to speed up the decomposition process.
- Step 3: Layer the compost pile in order of one layer of “brown” materials (dried leaves, newspapers) to provide carbon, one layer of “green” materials (vegetable peels, leftover food) to provide protein. Continue like this until the compost pile reaches a height of 1-1.5 meters.
- Step 4: There is no need to turn the compost pile as often as with the hot composting method. Just let the compost pile decompose naturally over time.
The cold composting process is slower, usually taking from 6 months to 1 year for organic materials to completely decompose
4. How to shorten composting time
There are many different ways of composting for people to choose to suit their actual conditions. In general, these methods require quite a long incubation time. The question many people ask is: Can the incubation time be shortened? Surely yes, using probiotics will help optimize time, reduce investment costs, reduce unpleasant odors, and contribute to improving soil quality.
According to statistical results, when using probiotics in the incubation process, the time is significantly shortened, at least 20%, maximum up to 50%. Thus, people will have a regular source of organic fertilizer to fertilize plants in cycles without having to wait.
It is worth mentioning that compost after using probiotics will be significantly improved: higher nutritional content, helping plants fight diseases better, and accelerating plant growth. Note, dosage and how to use probiotics, please carefully refer to the manufacturer’s instructions.
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5. Factors that directly impact the effectiveness of composting at home
Obviously, the composting process has many steps. There are many factors that will impact the composting process. Therefore, people need to understand clearly to limit unwanted effects affecting stool quality:
5.1 Biochemical factors
Simply understood, biochemical ratio is the ratio of mixing ingredients together. In addition, it is also related to pH as well as the decomposition of beneficial organic acids. According to experts, the ideal pH for composting ranges from 5.5 to 8.5. This is an ideal environment for microorganisms to be strongly active, promoting rapid decomposition.
5.2 Physical factors
Physical factors related to composting include: Humidity, temperature, air. These factors are directly related to incubation quality and incubation time. Therefore, during the implementation process, people must pay special attention: Keep humidity stable and temperature at recommended levels.
5.3 Using compost materials
The composting materials directly determine the finished product formed after incubation. Why so? Composting materials are related to the number of beneficial microorganisms active throughout the process. The 2 most important materials include: Soil, biological products.
6. Some great tips for composting at home
To improve the efficiency of composting, people need to grasp the following good tips:
- If the compost material is mainly dry and hard like tree bark, we should use more microbial products than usual. That way helps increase the number of beneficial microorganisms participating in the process of decomposing organic matter. Thanks to that, the incubation time will be shortened.
- If you notice that the compost pile’s moisture content exceeds the allowable threshold, you should use your hands to hold the compost tightly. If you see the stool leaking water, it means it can still be saved by adding small, easily decomposing dry ingredients to bring the moisture down to a sufficient level.
- After a certain period of composting, if people check and see that the manure is completely decomposed and has an earthy scent, it proves that we have composted successfully. At this point, you can use them to fertilize plants.
Composting is not only an environmentally friendly method of composting, but also an effective economic solution, helping to enhance soil and plant health. Applying compost in farming can bring long-term sustainable values, both saving costs and helping to protect the ecosystem. If you have any questions about how make compost, don’t hesitate to contact us via the website chephamvisinh.vn will receive quick advice and support.
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Duc Binh Microbial Products – Center for Research and Application of Biological Products specializes in research, production and application of product lines: Probiotics, septic tank yeast, wastewater treatment yeast, aquatic yeast, biological products…
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