Compost is an organic fertilizer made as plant and animal waste breaks down. Almost any farm can make it from materials it already has, at little cost.
Materials
- Green, nitrogen-rich materials: vegetable scraps, fresh weeds and animal manure.
- Brown, carbon-rich materials: straw, dry leaves and dry crop residues.
Mix the two groups in similar amounts, with slightly more brown material.
Steps
1. Choose a shaded, well-drained spot and build the heap in layers.
2. Keep it as damp as a wrung-out sponge, neither wet nor dry.
3. Turn it about every two weeks to let air in.
4. Wait until it is dark in colour and smells like soil.
Notes
Avoid adding diseased plants and weed seeds unless the heap gets hot enough to kill them. Compost is usually ready after a few weeks to a few months. Add it to the soil before planting to improve fertility and structure.
Troubleshooting
- A bad smell: the heap is too wet or short of air. Add brown material and turn it.
- It does not heat up: it may be too dry or short of nitrogen. Dampen it a little and add green material.
- Insects and rodents: bury food scraps inside the heap and avoid meat and fat.
A small amount of finished compost improves both sandy and clay soils: it helps sand hold together and loosens clay.
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