Darryl Edwards
Ingredients Required.
-High N (legumes, manures)
-Green (anything cut green, even if it has dried. Diversity is good)
-Woody/Dry. (At least 5% should be greater than 3cm in size).
Method.
a. Building the pile.
It may take an extended period for enough material to be gathered to build a pile of the desired size. This is not a problem. The materials should be piled separately until such time as enough of each material has been accumulated.
When the pile is to be constructed it is important that the right ratios are attained. The most simple way to achieve this is to divide the height of the pile into 10 x 20cm layers. Then alternate the materials in the desired proportions (30% equates to 3 separate layers).
-High N (legumes, manures)
-Green (anything cut green, even if it has dried. Diversity is good)
-Woody/Dry. (At least 5% should be greater than 3cm in size).
Method.
a. Building the pile.
It may take an extended period for enough material to be gathered to build a pile of the desired size. This is not a problem. The materials should be piled separately until such time as enough of each material has been accumulated.
When the pile is to be constructed it is important that the right ratios are attained. The most simple way to achieve this is to divide the height of the pile into 10 x 20cm layers. Then alternate the materials in the desired proportions (30% equates to 3 separate layers).
b. Activating the Pile.
Once the pile has been built it needs to be mixed. The best way to do this is to begin slicing away at the heap. Mix the different materials thoroughly and wet them at the same time. Now begin to rebuild the 2x2x2 pile next to the original (layered) pile. The objective of this initial turning process is to thoroughly mix the entire pile and to wet it to at least 50% moisture. If some of the mixed, wet material is squeezed in the hand and moisture drips out, it is too wet. If when squeezed and no water drips out, but on opening your hand the material does not hold its shape then it is too dry. Thus if squeezed, no extra moisture drips out and on opening the hand the material holds its form then it is close to the desired 50% moisture content.
The composting process has now begun.
Once the pile has been built it needs to be mixed. The best way to do this is to begin slicing away at the heap. Mix the different materials thoroughly and wet them at the same time. Now begin to rebuild the 2x2x2 pile next to the original (layered) pile. The objective of this initial turning process is to thoroughly mix the entire pile and to wet it to at least 50% moisture. If some of the mixed, wet material is squeezed in the hand and moisture drips out, it is too wet. If when squeezed and no water drips out, but on opening your hand the material does not hold its shape then it is too dry. Thus if squeezed, no extra moisture drips out and on opening the hand the material holds its form then it is close to the desired 50% moisture content.
The composting process has now begun.
By Darryl and Hazel Edwards
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