CROPS: Compost problems, and how to fix them

A poorly managed compost pile will take a long time to decompose. Here are the signs of trouble to look out for.

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Thriving crops require healthy soil that nourishes the plants as they grow. One way to improve the quality of soil is to use compost. Compost contains various nutrients and minerals; it also introduces organisms, such as earthworms, and micro-organisms, such as bacteria, fungi and protozoa, into the soil. These help to decompose, and hence recycle, organic material.

Ultimately, compost is an excellent way of improving the health of soil, which, in turn, will lead to better crop yield.

HOT AND COLD COMPOSTING

Composting requires ‘brown’ matter, such as leaves or branches, and ‘green’ matter, such as organic kitchen waste. The first is rich in carbon (C) and the second is rich in nitrogen (N). The time it takes for compost material to decompose depends on the volume of the material and the size of the inputs (smaller and softer materials will break down faster than those that are larger and harder), as well as the amount of mixing and aeration. The types of microbes working within the compost pile will also determine the speed at which the compost decomposes, with some microbes working faster at higher temperatures.