Great read on composting

What is Compost?
Compost is previously living material that has been broken down by the combined action of water, air and the huge appetites of a wide variety of small and even microscopic organisms. Some of the active compost creatures in nature in nature such as earthworms, beetles and slugs can be seen, but there are also millions of microscopic organisms that actually result in most of the compost action. It is these microorganisms that will work their magic in home compost containers by greatly reducing the total mass of the plant material and ultimately result in compost for your garden. Without the action of these hungry little creatures we would literally be buried under generations of dead plants and years of fallen leaves. Picture a 100 year old maple tree that might create a six inch layer of leaves on a forest floor every autumn. Without a natural composting action this would have produced up to 50 feet of leaves which certainly would have choked life out of the tree many years ago. If you were to start digging down under this tree before the leaves fall you would first find a few inches of last years leaves, the top portion of which may be quite dry. Next you will find a thinner layer of damp partially decomposed leaves and further down just a rich loose composted soil that is damp and has a rich earthy smell. This layer is often a foot or so thick before you get down to a less organic soil and finally a substrate of sand, rock, clay or whatever the geology of your region has provided.


Compost that you make can be a critical component of your garden soil. Compost provides many benefits: it improves soil structure; helps retain water and provides nutrients for you plants. If your garden soil is high in clay content you can work compost in to help break up the tiny mineral particles that make up clay which will actually decrease their ability to again adhere to each other thereby allowing water and nutrients to continue to easily enter the soil an reach the root systems of your plants. At the same time by keeping the clay particles farther apart, you will lower the potential for your garden to turn to ‘concrete’ if it dries out a little. If on the other hand you are dealing with very sandy soil, adding and working in compost will allow moisture and nutrients to be retained much longer. You can think of it this way, if you grab a handful of wet sand and try to squeeze water out, nothing will happen. If on the other hand you squeeze a handful of compost it is like squeezing out a sponge because the compost particles are flexible and contain millions of small cavities or pores that equal an enormous amount of surface area and actually hold water. An ideal type of soil is often referred to as ’sandy loam’ this is a blend of sand, decayed organic material (compost) and a low enough clay content that it remains loose and porous even when dry.

A compost rich soil is often thought of as being high in nutrients but this is not usually the case. Most compost made from yard and kitchen waste should be considered as primarily improving the structure of the soil and not a main source of nutrients needed to make your plants flourish. The exception to this is when the compost contains a high percentage or is totally made up of composted manure such as horse or cow manure. Composted manure is rich in a number of nutrients especially nitrogen. In fact manure that has not been thoroughly composted or mixed with other composting materials can do as much harm to your plants as would happen if you added too much plant fertilizer, resulting in nitrogen burn. Your home made compost will be appreciated by your plants and will have a rich, dark, loose texture and a wonderful fresh earthy smell like the forest floor.

Derrick Walters MBA has degrees in biology and chemistry. Derrick is a partner in a business that markets “green” products. To contact Derrick you can email him at derrick@midstateproducts.com or if you would like more information about the newest in high tech compost tumblers you can visit http://midstatecomposters.com where you will find top rated composters and lots of composting information and tips.