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
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