ARTICLE

The Tao of Vintage Compost

One of the most fascinating aspects of composting is that it still retains elements of art…producing good compost requires the same level of knowledge, engineering, skill and art required for producing good wine.
Roger Haug

According to the dictionary, compost is defined as a mixture of decomposing vegetable matter, refuse, manure, etc. for fertilizing and conditioning the soil. But I put it to you, compost is more than just a fertilizer or healing agent for the soils wounds, it is a symbol of continuing life…the compost heap is to the organic gardener what the typewriter is to the writer, what the shovel is to the laborer or what the truck is to the truck driver. It is essential!

The bywords of compost making are "Size, Mix, Water & Air". Size has two aspects, the first, the material to be composted should be as small as practical - small particles have more surface area for the bacteria and fungi to start breaking down the material. Size also refers to the critical size for the compost pile. The first stage of composting involves bacteria that generates & thrives in heat. Too small a pile - not enough heat.

Mix means two things as well, the mix of materials should provide a balance of nutrients to the compost. Generally three parts nitrogen (fresh green things) to one part carbon (dry, brown, or woody things). Mix also means that the ingredients are well mixed together in order that all the different nutrients are available to all parts of the compost pile for effective biological action.

Water and Air means the pile must be moist but not soggy, and that air is available inside the compost pile for the composting process. Turning the pile periodically is the best way to gauge the water/air mix. A compost pile which smells like rotten eggs or is slimy has lost its aerobic (air breathing) bacteria. It has been starved for air and died, leaving the non air breathing (anaerobic) bacteria to continue decomposition. The anaerobic bacteria produce sulphorus gasses as a waste product, hence the "rotten egg smell".

Organic material should be recycled by every person on the planet and recycling should be as normal and integral to daily life as brushing teeth or bathing.

People can compost their own organic materials in their own personal compost bins, their own back yards. This is becoming common place and bins are popping up everywhere, like mushrooms after a rain.

Composting need not cost money, it can be practiced by anyone in the world at probably any location where plants grow. Therefore it is important that people everywhere learn to understand what compost is and how it can be made.

"Aspire to simple living? That means aspire to fulfill the highest human destiny"
Charles Wagner