Composting Magic

Composting Magic by Larraine Roulston ‘Protecting Our Ecosystem’ International Compost Awareness Week, celebrated the first week in May, provides compost councils on both sides of the border, to celebrate the event with outreach activities. Composting is one of the most important actions that one can do to fight climate change and support a thriving, sustainable future for all life on earth. Call compost a heap, a pile, or a mound— it’s a world full of busy worms, insects, and billions of organisms. Bacteria, fungi, and protozoa, which are all too small to see, start the decomposition process. Compost heaps should be covered with leaves or soil to avoid attracting animals. A layer of soil also introduces microbes. If compost has a nitrogen odour, it contains too many kitchen food ‘greens’. To solve this issue, aerate the pile and add more dry leaves ‘browns’. Compost soaks up great quantities of water and stores it as a film on tiny soil crumbs called aggregates that give soil its structure. During long rainless periods, plant roots seek out and absorb this moisture. This results in healthier plant growth. DIY composters can be made from any of: slatted wood pieces, pallet skids, chicken wire, or cinder blocks. Large barrels with holes around the sides for ventilation and on the bottom for drainage can also be used. Commercial composters have a sliding door at the base in order to allow a shovel to access the finished compost. Tumblers sit sideways on a triangular stand. Organics decompose quicker when spun. Do not add worms. Unfortunately, its sliding door freezes in cold weather. You can place a tray underneath to catch any liquid which can be used as compost tea. Black ‘digesters’ are set about 15 cm (6”) into the ground. As they are anaerobic, they accept bones and meat - more suitable for small yards. Utilizing compost results in healthier plant growth. For businesses, compost provides a revenue from organic resources that contributes to a circular economy. Presently, rising fertilizer prices demonstrate a farmer’s vulnerability in relying on synthetic and mineral fertilizers. Compost will improve the resiliency of our agricultural systems and mitigate the consequences of future crises such as the one currently facing us today. "Fossil-fuel-based synthetic fertilizers are like steroids providing a quick boost of nutrients directly to plants for fast growth but do nothing for soil health. In contrast, compost – which is a made-in-America product – provides a feast for the soil, adding organic matter and fostering beneficial microbial life. This leads to slow release, long-term fertility and so many other benefits from better soil structure to higher water-holding capacity, which can make the difference in whether a farmer’s crop survives drought conditions or not.” Brenda Platt, Director, Composting for Community Initiative, Institute for Local Self-Reliance. Compost for residents results in healthier plant growth. For businesses, compost provides a revenue from organic resources that contributes to a circular economy.