On many occasions we are not forced or interested in knowing how to make organic compost easily and quickly, that is, speed up this process, since in its traditional form, for example, composting can take a year to be ready, which can be Too long for our goals. Therefore, here we will explain how we can make this process more efficient in just three steps.
Plant pathology professor Robert D Raabe of the University of California, Berkeley, unveiled a faster composting-type composting technique; named as the “Berkeley method” or “rapid composting“, which allows to produce finished compost between 14 to 21 days. This quick and easy composting technique requires extra effort and large amounts of materials at one time.
Before starting the process, we must remember that compost-type organic fertilizer, to be of good quality, must comply with a carbon / nitrogen (C: N) ratio of 30: 1. The bacteria in the compost need carbon for energy and nitrogen for protein synthesis; This is why we need to properly use materials that help us make the total mix as close to a 30:1 ratio.
Also keep in mind that green materials are rich in nitrogen: fruit and vegetable peels, grass clippings, coffee grounds, fresh manure, green plant cuttings, annual weeds, young hedge clippings.
And brown materials are rich in carbon: dry leaves, hay and straw, paper and cardboard, woody trimmings, eggshells, tea bags, sawdust
Process of how to make fast organic compost
- Step 1: Shred
The first great secret to produce quick and easy compost-type organic fertilizer is to finely grind the ingredients (green and brown), as this increases the area in which the compost microbes must decompose and also allows air and moisture to Moisture is distributed evenly among the materials.
The shredding process can be done with a chipper or shredder, and if you don’t have any of them, you can do it yourself by cutting ½ u0022 to 1½u0022 pieces with pruning shears or a machete, this requires more effort, but the results will be seen. - Step 2: Assemble
As soon as you finish shredding your materials, stack everything. Look closely, if the pile is dry, you need to add moisture and mix evenly. Do not add too much moisture because it can damage the process.
It is recommended that the minimum size of the compost pile is 90 centimeters wide and 90 centimeters high, but it is recommended to make it 120 to 150 centimeters both wide and high for best results. Put a piece of plastic on top of the compost pile to allow retention of the heat produced by the decomposition process. If the quick compost pile was done properly, the internal temperature should rise within the first 24 hours. Take a handful of material from the center, digging into the interior of the pile and checking to see that the material should be warmer and darker than material on the outer edges of the pile. - Step 3: Flip
Within two days, the compost pile can be turned over for the first time. The microorganisms that decompose the materials are considered aerobic bacteria, which is why they require a lot of air to survive, for this reason, it is advisable to turn the pile frequently (better more than less), doing it from the outer edges to the center. The pile will be ready for a second flip after another day or so. At this point, the material is already starting to look a bit like finished compost.
If the process went according to plan, within two weeks the quick compost should be almost finished and available for use. It may not have lowered the temperature completely, but it is safe to use as soon as the temperature has dropped below 100°F or 37.8°C.