The process of microbes and invertebrates decomposing plant and animal (organic or living) material into a dark brown crumbly substance rich in nutrients.

WHY COMPOST?

• Improve soil structure, better drainage for clayey soils
• Increase water-holding capacity for arid lands
• Improves crop yield and quality
• Nutrients last over more than one season
• Destroys weed seeds, kills pathogens

FACTORS AFFECTING THE COMPOSTING PROCESS: all organic material will eventually decompose. The decomposing speed depends on the following factors.

Carbon-to-Nitrogen Ratio of the material; ideal 30:1 C:N

Amount of surface area exposed; smaller the size the faster microbes digest it.

Aeration, or oxygen in the pile; turning the pile to add oxygen will increase decomposition.

Moisture; ideal 40-60 percent water; too little water slows down process; too much water reduces air and nutnents are leached out, smells, process slows down. "Squeeze test" Temperatures reached in compost pile; 90° - 140° F; too high kills microbes, too low slow Too much Nitrogen or Water~ammonia odors, loss nutrients Too much Carbon or lack of Water ~ decompose slowly

GREEN=NITROGEN BROWN= CARBON

DIGESTIVE ENZYMES (MICROBES) FOOD (ENERGY)

• Grass clippings Dry leaves
• Crop residues Wood chips
• Fruit and vegetable scraps Shredded paper
• Fresh manure Dry seaweed

AVOID

• Persistent weeds, diseased plants
• Meat scraps, fatty foods, bones
• Thorns or prickles
• Crops sprayed with pesticides
• Chemically treated wood (green)
• Anything not living