what is composting and the best way to do it ?

Answer 1

Composting is the process of producing compost through aerobic decomposition of biodegradable organic matter. The decomposition is performed primarily by aerobes, although larger creatures such as ants, nematodes, and oligochaete worms also contribute. This decomposition occurs naturally in all but the most hostile environments, such as within landfills or in extremely arid deserts, which prevent the microbes and other decomposers from thriving.

Composting can be divided into the two areas of home composting and industrial composting. Both scales of composting use the same biological processes, however techniques and different factors must be taken into account.

Composting is the controlled decomposition of organic matter. Rather than allowing nature to take its slow course, a composter provides an optimal environment in which decomposers can thrive. To encourage the most active microbes, a compost pile needs the correct mix of the following ingredients:
Carbon
Nitrogen
Oxygen (from the air)
Water

Decomposition happens even in the absence of some of these ingredients, but not as quickly or as pleasantly. (For example, vegetables in a plastic bag will decompose, but the absence of air encourages the growth of anaerobic microbes, which produce disagreeable odors. Degradation under anaerobic conditions is called anaerobic digestion.)

The above is an excerpt from Wikipedia. The best way to do composting is at one corner of the garden dig a pit of 4' x 4' x 6' (Depth) and dump all the house hold organic wastes as well as fallen leaves etc., and put some soil once in 10/15 days about 3" tick and again put the waste. It will subside and you can get it filled in about 6 months or so and closed it afterwords. Dig another pit in another corner and collect the waste. By the time the 2nd pit is full you will get the composted manure from the first pit and it can serve as a very good manure for all the plants in the garden.

Answer 2

Composting is recycling plant waste. Natural, beneficial organisms break down plant materials into a dirt-like material over a course of weeks and months (not days). It's an inexpensive and environmental-conscious process that results in ambrosia for your plants. Compost is nutrient rich and of a beautiful texture that does wonders for your garden/yard. If done properly, it won't be stinky; if it's stinky, most likely you've added something wrong or don't have a proper balance.

You can compost in just about any spot and any container. You want a bin that will let enough airflow in but keep out animals; the more "open" bins, such as using chicken wire fencing, will entice rodents more and allow them access. There are some bins that are mounted so you can spin them to mix them. Also, bin size is important. If you have a lot of yard waste, don't use a small bin. But if your bin is too large compared to the amount of material you have, it will take longer to break down, and it won't generate enough heat to stay active in the winter.

Basics of composting are this: you want to layer "green" with "brown", and you want to have roughly equal amounts. "Green" is fresh stuff: lawn clippings, pulled weeds, plant prunings, fruit pits, veggie peels, etc. "Brown" means things like dead leaves you've raked up, sticks, sawdust, wood chips. BIG NO-NOS: any kind of meat or blood, processed foods, any dairy products, any kind of oils. These will attract animals, throw off the process, and make a general mess. We keep a plastic container next to the sink for putting fruit/veggie remnants in and empty it into the composter every day.

Remember to turn your pile frequently to mix things up and give the beneficial microorganisms a chance to get at everything; you can use a pitchfork, shovel, or even a spiral turner tool made for this purpose. When adding stuff, the smaller the pieces, the faster it will break down. When your compost is finished, it will look a lot like soil, and you can spread it around your plants and work it into the soil.

Other points: At the end of the garden season, ALWAYS throw spent bean and pea plants onto the pile for their important role in fixing nitrogen. You can add eggshells and coffee grounds. You can find beneficial organisms to spread in your pile at gardening stores/sites, but you don't need to add them. If you find worms on the sidewalk, digging in the garden, or have them leftover from fishing, throw them in the pile, too; worms play an important part in soil health, and worm castings make great fertilizer. You can make "compost tea" by soaking some compost in a bucket of water and using this to water veggies and flowers; this gives your plants the nutrients they crave while making the compost spread a little farther.

Answer 3

See the link below for a composting tutorial from University of California Cooperative Extension/Placer County Master Composters.

Answer 4

Squidly gave you a great answer. However, there are two important points that no one has yet mentioned.
One: rotting organic material gives off heat - quite a bit of heat - and this is a good thing, because heat destroys weed seeds that you do not want in your compost. Do allow a heat cycle to complete before turning the pile.
Two: if you have used chemicals on your lawn, it's a bad idea to add grass clippings to your compost - especially if you plant to incorporate it in your vegetable garden!

Answer 5

Compost is decayed organic material. Period. Properly broken down, compost is probably the best all around fertilizer you can get your hands on. And it's environmentally friendly too! Since everything that is in compost started in nature, there are no harmful chemicals to destroy the ground water. Your vegetables will taste better, and your flowers will grow bigger and be brighter. An added advantage is that you are recycling waste in an eay to do manner.

Answer 6

What a stunning test. are you able to record returned to us while complete? Compost is slower in offering the nutrition you %, so manure(compost) tea may be my selection for on the spot.(i'm impatient). I make my own, as others have on the spot right here) via putting compost in an previous nylon hosiery, placed this in a great barrel of water, and then use it as mandatory. Compost is available at Walmart's, or any nursery. you could desire to make your guy or woman tea, so which you will possibly probable basically would desire to purchase the field. I have been given an extremely advantageous one the day gone by for $6.40 seven on the community marketplace. a stable length may be the approximate length of a bushel basket which you placed moist outfits in. stable success.

Answer 7

It is 'recycling' plant materials so that they become soil enrichments. I have a corner in my yard where lawn clippings and vegetable scraps can pile up. Once a week or so I stir it up with a rake. Once the material has broken down I use it to enrich the soil in my garden.

Answer 8

Storing all your old lawn clipping and leaves and other vegetation and letting it like rot, then applying it on your garden for fertilizer.

Answer 9

Dig a hole in ground 4ft x 4ft x4ft. Deposit all leaves and all household vegetables in to the hole If you can turn it over in a few days you will get great manure. You can also put cow dung in it

Answer 10

it is a process in which decayed organic materials are used as fertilizers.