28-12-2012, 02:57 PM
Guide for domestic composting
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WHAT IS COMPOST ?
Compost is a natural biological process,
carried out under controlled conditions,
which converts organic material into humus
product called compost. Compost has the
appearances of dark brown soil.
WHY MAKE COMPOST ?
Compost improves the physical, chemical
and biological qualities of the soil, in
doing so we will decrease domestic waste
by 40% therefore reducing the pollution.
In addition, compost can substitute the
artificial fertilizers and can also be used
for your vegetable, flower garden and
your house plants or the lawn.
How to start compost ?
1. Using a shovel loosen the ground to
help create and ideal environment for
the organisms in the soil to set to work
decomposing everything as soon as
the conditions are right. If there grass
on the spot, it is necessary to break
and turn it over to have the soil facing
up.
2. Install the compost bin.
3. Make a nest of 5 to 6 cm at the base of
the bin directly on the ground using
small twigs, sticks and hay or straw.
4. Deposit a layer of dead leaves or soil.
The nest allows for better ventilation,
constant moisture is required in the
bin to avoid soil to harden.
5. Once the nest is ready, add kitchen
refuse, fruit and vegetables leftovers.
Kitchen waste must always be
covered with brown material (leaves,
straw or soil). If we are out of season
for dead leaves use shredded
newspapers.
6. Alternate wet and dry layers in order
to achieve a good balance of carbon/
nitrogen for a healthy composting.
Making the pieces smaller will
provide faster decay process.
7. Approximately every twenty
centimetres it is recommended to add
an activator: soil, manure, commercial
activator or compost from the
previous year.
8. Every 2 or 3 weeks turn compost to
aerate.
9. Keep wet to touch (The compost
should be moist if too dry, add water,
if so too wet, add dry materials).