Methods of Composting

Liquid compost

Liquid compost can be created by either

1) Adding water to the organic materials during the composting process

•  Organic materials :grass, clippings, food scraps, animal manure + water
•  Duration: highly dependent on the organic materials added in and also aeration of the barrel. If the mixture is constantly aerated, the decomposition speed will drastically increase.
• Adding in microorganism based solution will also increase the speed of decomposition.
•  To ensure that the compost is ready to be use, test the pH and if it ranges from 5.5 to 7. The compost is ready to be applied
• Dilute the compost mix prior to application and high concentrations might burn the leaves of the plant when it dries

2) Using liquid based organic materials and composting it

• Organic materials : Animal Urine, Molasses, liquid food waste ( avoid oil products as it slows down decomposition)
• Duration: highly dependent on the organic materials added in and aeration of the barrel. If the mixture is constantly aerated, the decomposition speed will drastically increase.
• Adding in microorganism based solution will also increase the speed of decomposition.
• To ensure that the compost is ready to be use, test the pH and if it ranges from 5.5 to 7. The compost is ready to be applied
• Dilute the compost mix prior to application and high concentrations might burn the plant

Buried Compost

• Organic Materials : Any type of material can be used for this
• Requirements : A compost pit to be dug so that the compost can be buried .
• Duration: when grass/weed start to grow on top of the compost pit, it means that the compost is almost ready.
• As a precaution, it is best to test the compost pH prior to application to the crops
• The compost can be supplemented with fertilisers or plant supplements prior to application
•  To speed up decomposition, microorganism-based plant supplements can be added to boost the break down process

Above ground composting

•  Organic Materials: Any type of material can be used for this
•  Requirements: Available land space, Plastic tarp and pipes
•  Duration: 2 -3 months. Dependent on weather conditions . As a precaution, it is best to test the compost pH prior to application to the crops
•  The compost can be supplemented with fertilisers or plant supplements prior to application
•  To speed up decomposition, microorganism-based plant supplements can be added to boost the break down process
•  Pipes can be inserted between compost pile to provide aeration to speed up decomposition
•  Compost should be flipped every 2 weeks to allow decomposition to take place evenly
•  Plastic tarp to be put over compost to protect against dry weather or wash off during heavy rain

Vermicompost

•  Organic Materials: Any type of organic material can be used for this, worms, barrel
• Requirements: compost to be put in barrel
• Duration: 2 -3 months. Dependent on compost type and population of worms
• The compost can be supplemented with fertilisers or plant supplements prior to application
• To speed up decomposition, population of the worms can be increase
• Compost should be flipped every 2 weeks to allow decomposition to take place evenly
• Worms and compost can be separated at later stage. Worms can be use as fish food and compost can be use in field application
• As vermicompost is nutrient rich, to prevent fertiliser burn on plants. The vermicompost can be dilute with other compost / water prior to application