How Does Compost Happen
Knowing how to make good compost is the aim of everyone interested in composting!
So – what exactly goes on in a compost pile to turn this heap of decomposing, organic matter into a sack-load of friable, sweet-smelling, crumbly additive for your soil? That is – How Does Compost Happen?
Research shows that the crucial factor is the meeting of micro-organisms, such as bacteria and fungi, small animals like worms or insects and the waste matter itself which is a highly desirable source of food for them. If the environment is right, that is if it contains a balanced amount of carbon and nitrogen, is moist and warm and well aerated these little creatures will do their jobs while enjoying a good meal courtesy of us! These are the essential ingredients of a compost and are absolutely necessary. If any single one is missing, there will be no result.
Micro-organisms act on a chemical level, releasing carbon and nitrogen from the rotting materials. Worms and a host of other tiny creatures act on a physical level, eating the partially digested matter, bacteria and other detritus, processing it further still until at last, we have the magic substance we so desire.
Our task is to provide the ideal environment for all of this to take place, by ensuring that all the compost essentials are present. This is how to make good compost. If we do this, the creatures that perform the transformation will be able to work at full speed and at peak efficiency. The bacteria and other micro-organisms will generate heat as a side-effect of their manic feasting. Heat, allied with moisture and oxygen, will hasten the whole process, sterilising along the way, destroying pathogens and unwanted seeds, while keeping the various types of micro-organisms under control.
You ask – how does compost happen?
Look at nature around us and follow on. All we are doing is maximising opportunities by providing the perfect environment for this amazing process to occur.
In return for placing all our organic waste in one convenient spot and providing a top eating experience for a swarm of micro-organisms, and other small creatures, we are provided with, for minimum cost and effort, a first rate fertiliser, mulch and soil conditioner.
What’s not to like?
[dropshadowbox align=”center” effect=”lifted-both” width=”350px” height=”” background_color=”#D8E2BC” border_width=”3″ border_color=”#dddddd” ]Composting will take place with or without us. Our job is to provide the best conditions possible.[/dropshadowbox]