Plant residues such as old leaves, blossoms, grass cuttings and straw on the lawn are products which can be reused and make good quality manure. So it's worth thinking about a home composter. Composting is not a complicated operation and even a novice gardener should be able to cope with it if they follow a few basic steps. Organic waste which does not contain any toxic components should be shredded and well mixed, the right moisture should be ensured and a steady supply of oxygen should be provided to get rid of any unpleasant odours.
Grass cuttings are ideal for making compost. However, it should not be compacted and you should not pour in too much at once. It is better to do this gradually and mix it in straight away with other waste or lightly processed humus. This way the grass will not block the flow of water. You can also put flowering plants, leaves, shredded branches and organic kitchen waste such as fruit and vegetable scraps, egg shells and tea and coffee grounds into the composter. A garden composter is also a good place to recycle wood ashes from the stove, fireplace or campfire, sawdust or pond silt.
- First of all, you have to choose the right materials that will give good conditions for the development of micro-organisms and remember that they have to be varied, then mix them and make sure that there is enough moisture. Then we have good composting conditions. But if we put in the wrong material, it will take a lot longer, if we don't mix it, it will give off the right odors. So we can't afford to make a pile and it will do itself. We need to prepare for this," says Professor Wojciech Stępień, Independent Department of Agricultural and Environmental Chemistry, Warsaw University of Life Sciences.
Experts warn that not all organic waste is suitable for composting. First of all, do not throw into the composter sick, infested plants. Weeds with seeds, on the other hand, run the risk of surviving the composting process and later spreading throughout the garden. Walnut, oak and alder leaves should not be used in this way either as they contain harmful substances and the resulting compost could harm the plants. Citrus fruit peels, on the other hand, not only contain toxic components from chemical preservatives but also reduce the activity of the micro-organisms in the soil.
- When we start making compost, we should pay attention to what effect we want to achieve, and this depends on the input we have. So, we need to do hygienization to see if we expect pathogenic microorganisms, bacteria or parasite eggs in the products that we use for composting. If so, then obviously the composting process should be carried out in a different way," says Prof. Wojciech Stępień.
It's important to mix materials of different fractions when making compost, such as dry leaves, chopped up twigs or sawdust with juicy, cut grass, vegetable tops or peelings. A home composter makes it possible to use all biodegradable waste, i.e. waste that decomposes aerobically with the help of microorganisms and earthworms.
- The composting process is a biological process, and the main role in it is played by bacteria, but also fungi, actinomycetes. For them to grow properly and quickly, they need to have the right amount of energy to create their biomass. The optimum ratio of carbon to nitrogen in such a composting process is somewhere around 30:1, so if we have straw, where the ratio is 100:1 and grass, where it is a few to one, we can combine such dry and wet products so that the composting process passes fairly quickly. These materials should be rather crumbled," says the researcher from SGGW.
Another very important element is the humidity in the composter. In practice, this means that if we take the compost in our hands and squeeze it, water droplets will show up.
- The moisture content can also be measured with a suitable instrument. You have to remember that it cannot be too wet because then it is cold and microorganisms do not develop. Too dry is also not conducive to the multiplication of microorganisms - says professor Wojciech Stępień.
On a micro scale, the best system is composting in openwork containers with a bottom, with the possibility of side aeration so that oxygen can get to the lower parts.
- Particularly when composting wet materials, if you compost them directly on the soil, unfortunately many substances seep into the soil and can then reach the groundwater. Therefore, if we compost something even without containers, we should make some kind of insulation, either from dry plant materials, such as straw, chaff, or spread foil to protect the environment from pollution, nutrients, mainly nitrogen and phosphorus - says the expert.
Many people are afraid that putting a composter in the backyard garden means an unpleasant smell. Experts convince that it can be avoided, just follow a few rules.
- The main problem associated with composting is the problem of odors, or odor emissions. These are mainly derivatives of reduced forms of sulfur and nitrogen, which are formed in anaerobic conditions, in closed conditions or in piles without the possibility of oxygenation. If we want to avoid these nuisance odors, we should oxygenate the compost using special containers with side and bottom openings. This problem can also be avoided by using suitable biopreparations that facilitate the processes of sulfur and nitrogen metabolism and thus eliminate the smell. By eliminating the smell we also get the beneficial properties of the compost as these compounds formed in anaerobic conditions are often harmful - adds Prof. Wojciech Stępień.
Compost is ready when its structure resembles deep forest litter. This whole process may take even half a year. However, a properly prepared natural fertiliser has many advantages. It provides plants with essential nutrients and at the same time restores optimum soil parameters, improves its structure and rebuilds its specific microflora.
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