Composting

1. Composting Dr. Samina Khalid 27-04-15

2. Composting ‘’Combining and managing of specific waste materials so that they decompose ’’ ‘’is the management of the bio decay of organic matter into a humus like material by other organisms ’’ “Composting is a method of returning organic wastes to the earth in an easily reusable form”

3. Once the material are mixed together microbes in soil starts to breakdown the waste and turn it to nutrient rich material (humus) that helps to grow plants Advantages: Increase soil fertility Reduce waste products (food scarps and yard waste) deposition in landfills Composting

4. Vermicomposting Type of composting that uses red wiggler earthworms to breakdown organic material. Earthworms are placed deep in waste bin comprised of layers of waste including dirt, newspaper and leaf trimmings. Bin should have small holes in the bottom for aeration and drainage.

5. What you will need Brown material to produce carbon: Dead leaves, branches and twigs Sawdust and wood chips Cotton and wool rags Shredded piece of paper, cardboard, newspaper Shredded piece of nuts Coffee filter Green material to produce Nitrogen Grass clipping and leaves Fruits and vegetable scraps Hair Lint Tea and coffee ground Water Bottles scissors and razor blade/knife marking pen Nails Candle pH paper

6. Construct a compost column Mark a ring on the bottle (Figure 6) where you want to make the cut . Cut bottle No. 1 from top, 2 from bottom and 3 from both top and bottom as shown in the fig. Note in Figure 4&5 above that the shoulder of bottle #3 is cut at so that it fits into bottle #2 P lace the bottle on its side against a solid object Make holes in the sides of the bottles with hot nail to provide aeration Place a piece of net over the spout of bottle 2 with rubber band Put the column together as shown in the fig

7. Steps for composting Select dry shady spot near water source Add brown and green material in alternate layers Keep compost moist but not wet Occasionally turn the compost material to provide aeration As material breakdown the pile will get warm

8. Observations Observe the odor of the column. Recycle water which drains into the bottom of the bottle column. Check the pH of the water as composting proceeds Check the temperature of the column

9. What not to compost Metals Glass and other products that does not easily breakdown Coal and charcoal ash Diseased or insect-ridden plants Pet wastes Bones Meat Fats oil and dairy products and eggs (egg shell are ok) Yard trimming treated with pesticides