The Process of Composting?

Composting is "organized rotting" where nutrients and moisture is returned to the soil. Rotting is accomplished by microbes, fungi and other organisms 'digesting' the decaying material and converting it into a soil-rich conditioner or compost. If correctly done, compost is free from unpleasant odours, manageable and can be stored for long periods for later use.

Composting is not time-consuming and can be done during both the wet and dry season. Composting can be categorized as passive or active. Passive composting does not involve turning of the compost heap, it must however be kept equally as moist as the active method. Active composting entails much more tending to the compost heap than passive composing. Tending includes periodic turning of the compost pile. Turning blends the different materials present but increases the chance of moisture being lost through evaporation. In passive composting input materials should be placed in a specific order. This can also be done in active composting but it is not as important as in passive composting.

These methods of composting share similar characteristics in that they both require moisture and aeration, (essential for organism to work and survive), and the addition of manure, organic fertilizer, soil or compost to kick-start the decomposition process. The organic additions contain the necessary microbes to decompose the waste. For this reason it is good to have bottomless outdoor compost bins to facilitate interaction of microbes from the soil and the compost material.

Active Composting decomposes waste much more readily than Passive Composting. Once started, depending on the method being used, the kitchen waste, yard waste and other inputs should be kept as moist as a damp sponge. Aerate by turning with a garden fork or where the passive method is applied, bore holes in the compost heap with a broomstick.

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