Composting - Gives More Than It Receives

Composting is the manual and biological process of breaking down animal and plant matter, into a humus type of product that nurtures soil fertility and refines soil structure. It requires the right combination of raw materials, air circulation, and water to produce quality results. When the needed components are correctly mixed, microorganisms will begin
their decomposition process which can generate heat to destroy plant, human, and animal pathogens; weed seeds; and insect larvae. The finished compost is a soil amendment that
provides numerous benefits to the environment, crop production, and the economic viability of the farmer.

Compost is not considered a fertilizer but it does contain nutrients and will build the soil’s nutrient base over time if used season after season. It can also be used as a side dressing for plants once the compost and plants are mature enough to prevent plant burning. This can reduce the need for fertilizers. It is used to provide nutrients to new scrubs and trees in their planting holes, to prepare new garden plots, and lightly top dress standing lawns and pastures.

Compost is best known for building good tilth which is the soil’s structure. The use of good quality compost can aide in preventing soil erosion by clinging to sandy soils and loosening the tightly compacted particles of clay soil. Compost improves a soil’s water retention, its water drainage, and air circulation. It is also used as mulch.

Compost provides a good environment for plant beneficial organisms to live. These organisms improve the disease resistance of the plants. Compost also feeds earth worms which are very good for feeding the plants with their castings.

Compost prevents the ready leaching of valuable nutrients into ground and surface water which benefits both the crops with additional nourishment and protects the environment from chemical contamination.

The use of composting will turn unsightly waste collection areas into clean, tidy processing areas. Composting uses waste products and diverts the effort and resources spent simply on disposal to that of production to improve the farm’s operation and in some areas, generate revenue by its resell. The proper mixing of compost piles will reduce flies and odors which pleases neighbors and livestock. It also reduces the number of parasite larvae that could reinfest livestock by placing contaminated waste into the heat process of composting. Processed compost is normally around 50% the volume of its components’ former bulk. It is odorless, does not attract flies or other pests, and stores easily.

Composting is truly a science and cannot be taken lightly. Many health concerns and plant needs have to be understood. The process is wonderful. Nutrients to include trace minerals are taken in by plants and then by livestock. The plant and animal wastes produced in normal functioning return these needed nutrients to the earth’s eco-system to begin a new feeding cycle. With planning and effort, needed elements can be captured and processed so that not only are the nutrients being returned to the soil but the soil is being improved above its former capacity. The system is amazing as it does not provide just a way to recapture expended resources but a way to improve the soil and the quantity of nutrients it and the plants can provide in the future.