Initially, in our Composting 101 Guide, it would be advantageous to know a few things about composting and how the process works before you jump into it and build your compost pile. Mother Nature will take care of most of the composting procedures because she knows what she is doing, even though breaking down of organic matter into compost is quite a complex endeavor. So without getting too bogged down in the science of it, here is a short review of what exactly is going to be happening in your compost pile, and how you can help keep things on track.

How Your Organic Matter Breaks Down

When your organic matter is breaking down, the term composting is used to describe the procedure. Micro organisms in your compost pile will start your waste decomposing in two ways: chemically and physically.

The Physical Decomposition Process

There is a large community of invertebrates that get the ball rolling in your organic matter by grinding, chewing, and shredding larger pieces into smaller ones, executing a larger surface area. Chemical and bacteria decomposition is the primary breakdown in the early stages of the process.

The Next Process Of Chemical Decomposition

Microbes such as fungi and bacteria will release enzymes that break down the complex organic compounds into smaller ones during this stage of composting. The microbes absorb these nutrients into their bodies, and then become food themselves when other organisms eat them. Also, as the microbes dis, their nutrients that they have absorbed will become food as well.

Eventually the decomposed materials get to the point where additional substances cannot be broken down any longer and the process comes to and. the result is a fresh-smelling humus material usable as rich organic soil. The constant food chain of these tiny critters being eaten and eating forms an incredible delicate food network.

The Best Composting Environment For Your Compost Pile

Basically all the little microbes do all of the heavy lifting in this procedure and you are providing the monitoring and maintaining of an acceptable living environment for them. The basic needs for these critters are very simple. They need air, food, water and a comfortable climatic condition to thrive.

Shredding The Organic Matter

Just remember that as a general rule, the smaller you make your organic matter in your compost pile, the quicker you will see results and obtain your compost. The cuts and wounds that are made by cutting and chopping of the plant materials make for an easier break-down of the materials by the microbes. Note only are more uniform particles easier to turn in the pile, they also allow for easier chemicals and physical decomposition. Your goal ought to be to keep organic matter in 2 inch long bits and pieces.

Moisture and Air Requirements Of Your Pile

One of the most important elements the organisms that are hard at work in your compost pile need to survive is moisture. Try to attain a moisture content of between 40 and 60 percent by weight. Test your moisture content from several different areas of the pile by grabbing a handful of organic matter and squeezing it. Everything ought to be damp like a wrung-out sponge; If you notice that the compost pile is dryer than this, it is time to add some moisture to the pile.

Too much moisture is as bad as not enough; Air flow will be blocked by too much water and this can result in odors in your pile. If you can squeeze more than a drop or two of water out of a handful of ingredients, things are too wet.

If things have been too wet, simply turn the compost pile to introduce air to dry out the wet matter. You can also add moisture at the time of turning if the pile is too dry. There will not be any bad odors from a properly aerated compost pile. Again, if you experience bad odors, you likely have a too high a moisture content. Leaves, straw and sawdust introduce dry carbons to the pile and is another way to reduce excess moisture.

Time To Turn Up The Heat In Your Compost Pile

The hard-working organisms in your compost pile will generate heat as a by-product of their food eating, reproducing, and dying. You can speed up the procedure of making your compost by properly managing this heat.

Measure the temperature of your compost pile daily with a compost thermometer, to keep track of the heat generation in your pile. Higher temperatures will result in quicker decomposition that do cooler temperatures.

As the supply of food, air, and water is used up, the temperature in your compost pile will drop. Turning or aerating the pile, mixing newer material into the center, and adding moisture will help temperatures rise. Temperatures between about 130 and 140 degrees F. for a total of 72 hours will be required to kill all the weed seeds and plant pathogens in the pile.

Composting 101 – Don’t Overdo It

If you overheat your pile, that can be a bad condition too, so be sure to carefully monitor the temperature with a compost thermometer. If the temperature exceeds 170 degrees Fahrenheit, the process will begin to shut down and will severely inhibit the microbe’s activity. This can easily be rectified by turning the pile contents down to the pile core, which releases stored heat.

So follow all of these guidelines in this Composting 101 Guide and the outcome will be incredible, rich compost you can use in your garden and landscape bids.

Looking for more information on the fine art of composting? Be sure to visit our article Composting 101 Guide for more tips and techniques. Also for more green living tips for your day-to-day life be sure to check out Green Living Made Easy.