Composting

Question 1

What is composting?

Answer 1

Using the natural process of decay to speed up and change organic materials into a valuable humus-like material.

Question 2

What are the input and output elements of the composting process?

Answer 2

Organic yard and food materials + oxygen + water+ soil organisms= compost+ carbon dioxide+ water+ heat

Question 3

What are the decomposers?

Answer 3

Bacteria, fungi, microbes, and larger organisms in the soil fauna.

Question 4

What is the optimum carbon to nitrogen ratio?

Answer 4

C:N ratio 30:1 (25:1-40:1 works too)

Question 5

What are green materials in a compost?

Answer 5

Nitrogen, rich materials, such as fresh grass, garden clippings weeds, manure, kitchen residuals.

Question 6

What are brown materials in a compost?

Answer 6

• High in carbon low in moisture, rich in sugar
• slow to break down
  E.g. Fallen leaves, straw, wood chips, paper, cardboard.

Question 7

What are the two types of composting based on presence of oxygen?

Answer 7

Aerobic and anaerobic

Question 8

Why is aeration (turning) of the compost pile crucial during the process?

Answer 8

• add additional oxygen to the center
• Expose more outside material to the high temperature of the center
• adding coarse materials like brown leaves, small twigs also helps