Common Types of Composting Explained

types of composting

Ready to get your hands dirty and create some excellent compost? Awesome. Today’s post is for you. I will be covering a few of the most common types of composting that even the total beginner can follow and successfully produce some excellent compost. Let’s start with the basics of composting..

The process of making your own compost is simple, even for beginners. To make a healthy compost, you need to provide an environment conducive to microbial life. Compost is made up of billions of living organisms that have decomposed organic matter.

Worms and insects can help the microbes by feeding on food waste and removing organic material. Composting organic waste at home is an environmentally friendly way to reduce household waste and create healthy soil.

What are the Main Components of Compost?

The two main components of compost are carbon and nitrogen. Microbes in the composting process use carbon for energy, while nitrogen is used for protein synthesis. The ideal ratio for carbon and nitrogen is thirty to one on a dry-weight basis.

While this ideal ratio is not achievable for most organic materials, balancing the numbers will speed up the process.

You can determine the ratio of your materials by referencing the table below. Be aware that these guidelines are not set in stone, so experiment with the ratios to see what works best for you.

common types of composting explained

The process of composting is not difficult, but it may be intimidating to a beginner. . Here are the top 7 most popular ways to make fantastic compost right in your home or back yard..

Aerated Static Pile Composting

Aerated static pile composting involves using a pump and piping to move air through the material in a compost pile. A plenum layer is located at the base of the pile and allows the air to diffuse across the bottom.

The active layer is comprised of compost material, which must maintain a ratio of 25:1 carbon to nitrogen. The air temperature must be 131 degrees Fahrenheit for three days to ensure a healthy composting process. The biolayer can be compost or mulch, which discourages insects and reduces odors.

The core of the pile retains a warm temperature during cold weather. The aerated static pile method produces a high-quality compost relatively quickly.

It is an excellent choice for larger-scale generators of compostable municipal solid waste or yard trimmings. However, this method is not suitable for producing compost from animal byproducts, food processing waste, or grease. Aerated static pile composting is also a great choice for cold climates.

Composting using a tumbler

Composting using a tumbler is a convenient way to compost yard waste. Many tumblers are portable, making them convenient to place near the kitchen, garden beds, or work areas.

They are particularly useful for composting a variety of organic materials, such as grass clippings and greens. A Mantis back porch composter is a good example. However, before you begin composting, make sure you understand how tumblers work.

A traditional compost pile requires you to turn the pile manually. This can be a hassle for some gardeners, especially those who are not very strong or have limited mobility.

A tumbler, on the other hand, makes the task of turning the pile easy. When using one, the organic matter is mixed and aerated as it rotates. Tumblers are generally sold as a faster and more convenient way to compost yard waste.

Most compost tumblers are capable of processing grass clippings. However, some materials cannot be composted using tumblers. Fall leaves, end-of-season plants, and small sticks will not break down as quickly as grass clippings.

Additionally, they are too large and bulky for the tumbler’s temperatures. In addition, the material in a tumbler will need to be rotated regularly.

Static composting bin

There are several common types of static composting bins available, and you can choose the one that best meets your needs. This type of composting bin will provide nutrients and moisture to your soil, and contains organisms that can improve the quality of the finished product.

Some types of static composting bins include tumblers, composter boxes, and hot bins. While some people argue that turning the compost pile just once is enough to get the results you want, the truth is that you need to turn it two to three times a week.

A static continuous composting bin is constructed with a bottom-mounted perforated PVC pipe and wood chips. The wood chips will act as an air layer, increasing the composting process and enriching the end product.

The compost generated by this type of composting bin will filter to the bottom layer. Several times a year, you can remove the finished compost and dispose of it. An enclosed composting bin will require a lid to protect it from pests and other unwanted elements.

Vermicomposting

The process of vermicomposting is a fascinating one, and it is a great way to recycle organic material in a simple way. Worms eat organic materials and excrete dark casts called “worm poop.”

These castings are rich in minerals and are highly prized as fertile soil. However, bins can quickly fill up with these casts.

The process of vermicomposting involves a living ecosystem, animals, and food. Using your nose and eyes to identify when a worm is ready to emerge is essential. Proper bin conditions, such as pH, moisture, and breeding, are crucial for worm growth.

Once you’ve established acceptable conditions, you can start experimenting with different foods and bin styles. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even create a business by helping others!

Vermicomposting is an alternative to hot composting and offers many advantages. It takes less time to harvest finished compost. It also doesn’t require a curing process. Composting normally takes 6 months to finish, but vermicompost is ready to harvest within 8 weeks.

If you’re considering implementing vermicomposting for your own garden, consider purchasing a vermicomposting unit. You can even get a pristine one shipped to your home. Vermicomposting is an excellent way to educate your children about the importance of protecting our environment.

Green Cone Composting

There are two main types of green cone composting systems. One type is designed to sit above the ground, while the other is buried. The first type is typically made from 100% recycled polypropylene.

The second type uses UV-stabilised high-density polyethylene and is ideal for backyard composting. Green cone composting bins are a great choice if you want a low-maintenance system.

During the summer, the average Green Cone can process up to 1 kg of organic matter every day. Once the temperatures drop, decomposition slows down. However, this is due to the fact that the Green Cone is underground and warms itself daily. Good sun exposure and drainage also play a huge role in its efficiency.

You can use a Green Cone for kitchen waste, fruit and vegetable scraps, and meat scraps. During winter, you may need to re-fill your Green Cone and add more food.

The Green Cone is a composting system designed to handle all types of household food waste. It breaks down meat bones, dairy products, and more into water and carbon dioxide.

90% of the contents will be absorbed by the soil and become compost. A Green Cone can handle the waste generated in a household of four people. It does not require much maintenance, and it can save planters a lot of money and time.

Bokashi Bucket composting

The Bokashi bucket can hold about 2 inches of food waste at a time. You can use it for composting garden waste. Just make sure to smash up your food scraps first to get rid of air pockets.

After that, you’ll want to cover the bokashi with soil. It’s important to remember that the bokashi will smell strongly like vinegar and pickles once it’s finished fermenting. The smell will dissipate in a couple of days.

If you’re concerned about the smell of your compost, you’re not alone. This natural substance is often compared to pickles and can sometimes be a bit “funky”. If the smell of Bokashi is offensive to you, it’s probably fermenting or rotting.

In addition, the odor may be a result of food scraps becoming soup-like. To prevent this, you should keep the lid tightly closed and finely chop your food scraps to prevent excessive airflow.

Food Recyclers composting

The average food recycler is countertop friendly, but some are more like large garbage bins. Electric food recyclers use aeration, heat, and pulverization to break down food waste.

Most models cycle the waste for five hours, though some can take up to eight. After the cycle, it will be ready to be used as a fertilizer, soil amendment, or compost.

Food Recyclers composting cycles are generally less time-consuming than traditional composting, so a small amount of time each day can go a long way.

A large portion of the garbage we produce at home cannot be composted. We throw away food scraps for a variety of reasons, including aesthetic reasons. Most of these scraps are not edible, such as banana peels.

Food Recyclers composting programs can be very beneficial for our health. A compost pile can break down organic waste slowly without attracting pests and mites, and they don’t require any additional maintenance.

Final words

Composting is a real passion of ours and we have loads of great info on it. Be sure to check out the knowledge base for more related articles on this subject.

Hopefully starting your back yard composting project is a little less daunting now you are armed with a bit more detailed info..

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