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What is Composting?

Composting makes use of a natural process of decay in the soil, and manages it so that it happens faster.

What is compost?

Compost is not soil. It is a natural soil amendment that:

• increases nutrient holding capacity
• increases water retention
• lengthens the growing season
• decreases erosion
• improves resistance to disease
• decreases the need for fertilizers and pesticides

How it Works

We expect to see worms, beetles, wood bugs, slugs, etc. in the compost, breaking down the material. The most important work however, goes unseen. Bacteria do the bulk of the work. Their work is evident by the temperature of the pile. A pile may get as hot as 55 degrees C from the work of bacteria.

Because bacteria are the most important organisms, for efficient composting, we want to create an environment were the bacteria can thrive. This means providing them with the right materials, moisture content and amount of air.

Compost Q & A

Is compost soil? No

Soil is a dynamic, complex mixture of minerals, natural chemicals and organic matter. Organic matter includes decayed plant material and living organism such as insects, worms, fungi and bacteria.

Compost is not soil but an organic material amendment that can be used to enhance the soil by digging in at planting time. Compost can also be used as a mulch by top dressing or laying the compost on the surface of the soil around the plants.

Compost is important because it enriches the soil by slowly releasing nutrients, improving moisture retention, smothering weed seeds and slowing erosion

Mulch is usually an organic material that is put on the surface of the soil around plants to release nutrients, reduce moisture loss, suppress weeds, minimize erosion and to look good. Mulch can also be plastic, newspaper, rocks, gravel, crushed lava, but these materials do not add any nutritional value to the soil.