Compost can be produced in special closed boxes (thermocomposters) or in piles, i.e. open boxes.Ripe compost is brown in color, emits a pleasant smell similar to forest humus.Its particles do not have to be completely decomposed - only the compost for potted flowers and for sowing (vegetable seeds, ornamental plants) must be completely unfolded and sifted. Then sand and clay are equally added to it.
Organic substances that do not contain toxic components and are not contaminated with fungal, bacterial and viral pathogens are suitable for composting. Compost can be used, among others seedless weeds, leaves, grass clippings, turf, tree bark, sawdust, shredded branches, wood ash, newsprint, coffee grounds, etc.
The place for the composter in the form of a pile should be slightly elevated so that it is not flooded with rainwater. A 20 cm layer of broken branches, 1-5 cm thick, is placed on the bottom, the thickest ones on the bottom. Then you decompose peat or garden soil, straw - this layer is designed to absorb water that washes away mineral substances from the upper layers.
Above, place the plant material to be composted, translating it with garden soil.At the height of about 120 cm, the composter is closed with a layer of soil, profiling the whole structure so that the rainwater flows down to the center of the heap.Pour water over the composter during prolonged drying.
Large amounts of cut grass are best laid in thin layers, alternating with thicker material such as shredded branches or chips.Grass can clump, rot and smell bad.
What should be in the compost and what is definitely forbidden
When thinking about composting, remember that fertilizer is our goal. The composter is not a garbage can, and everything that ends up in it will be returned to our rebates. You can successfully compost plant kitchen waste, half-eaten meals, egg shells, coffee and tea grounds, but it is absolutely forbidden to add animal residues, i.e. meat, fat, bones, whole eggs or dairy products. Citrus peels are also an unsuitable compost material, which, due to the long transport of fruit, can be protected with preservatives and protective agents.
Typical components of garden compost are cut grass, unnecessary turf, weeds, and leaves from trees and shrubs. However, remember to avoid weeds that have managed to set seeds or reproduce through runners, and that the leaves have different decomposition times and can affect the quality of the compost (e.g.oak and pear leaves may slow down decomposition and the needles may turn acidic). Important: parts of plants affected by diseases and pests cannot be composted, so they must be removed from the garden as quickly and permanently as possible.
- says Dr. Eng. Tomasz Mróz
We build a compost sieve
Good to know
Compost activator speeds up the process of composting organic residues from your home and garden. Put the composted materials in 10-15 cm layers. Each of them is sprinkled with a compost activator in the amount of 25-30 g / m2.The material making up the compost should resemble a soaked sponge, therefore the pile should be watered.After 2-3 weeks it is recommended to stir it.
