Moreover, the tunnels formed by the worms aid in the passage of water, which also washes the nutrients from the drilosphere to the roots that extend quite rapidly along these channels AALOK et al.
Vermicompost can be used in many ways, such as a good germinator, potting mix, soil conditioner, tree planting media, seed inoculation and fertiliser replacement.
It can be applied as pure cast or it can also be mixed with the garden soil. In pure form, castings provide a superior rate of germination. It will provide sufficient nutrition to sustain growth for up to six months. Vermicompost is also a good soil conditioner. Even in quite barren soils good sprinkling of vermicompost around 2 to 3 mm thick , dug in and watered well, can improve harvests already in the first season. Another option to use vermicompost is for tree planting.
A hand-spade of castings in the bottom of the hole dug for the tree will help ensure healthy growth right from the start DWF For seed inoculation take the seed and shake it together with vermicompost before you spread it. Pit humus is a term used for composted human faeces, in particular the one from double ventilated improved pit , fossa alterna , twin pits for pour flush toilets , composting toilets , the arborloo , terra preta toilets or terra preta sanitation.
To use pit humus as a soil conditioner it can be mixed into the soil before crops are planted, used to start seedlings or indoor plants or simply mixed into an existing compost pile for further treatment.
Terra preta soils have a specially high organic carbon content that allows for a long lasting fixation of essential nutrients, water retention and reduced leaching of nutrients from the rhizosphere. Terra preta products can be used or applied similar with the ordinary compost and vermicompost. It has been shown that the productivity of poor soil can be improved by applying equal parts compost and top soil to it. The output from one Fossa Alterna should be sufficient for two 1.
In order to decide, which type of compost product is better for which type of soil, one must first know what set of organisms is needed in the soil lacking in the soil ; second, what set of carbon compounds are needed around the roots of the plants to grow the beneficial bacteria and fungi; and third, what organisms and kinds of carbons are in the different types of compost products. In order to determine the quality of the compost, the most important things are: pH level, soluble salts, moisture, organic matter content, total nitrogen, carbon to nitrogen ratio C:N , and other physical properties of the compost e.
Compost and pit humus should not be applied to crops less than one month before they are harvested. This waiting period is especially important for crops that are consumed raw.
As opposed to sludge, which can originate from a variety of domestic, chemical and industrial sources, compost and pit humus have very few chemical inputs see also pathogens and contaminants and health risk management. The only chemical sources that could contaminate compost or pit humus might originate from contaminated organic material e. Compared to the chemicals that may find their way into wastewater sludge, compost and pit humus can be considered as less contaminated.
Compost and pit humus are inoffensive, earth-like products. Regardless, people might refrain from handling and using them. Conducting demonstration activities that promote hands-on experience can effectively show their non-offensive nature and their beneficial use see also awareness raising.
The material must be allowed to adequately mature before being removed from the system. Then, it can be used without further treatment. Workers should wear appropriate protective clothing. Compost and pit humus can be beneficially used to improve the quality of soil. Especially vermicompost improves the soil structure because of the wholes that earthworms have dug. They can be mixed into the soil before crops are planted, used to start seedlings or indoor plants, or simply mixed into an existing compost pile for further treatment.
Vegetable gardens filled with pit humus from the Fossa Alterna have shown dramatic improvements over gardens planted without soil conditioner. The use of pit humus has even made agriculture possible in areas which otherwise would not have supported crops. The Composting Toilet System Book is an impressive, comprehensive, reader friendly, and practical guide to choosing, planning and maintaining composting toilet systems for those seeking an alternative to traditional sewer and septic tank systems.
It explains the technologies, sources, applications, greywater issues, and regulations relevant to a composting toilet system for the home, whether manufactured or site-built. This factsheet provides information and experiences of simple pit toilet and twin pit toilet. It also contains knowledge about upgrading technologies, hygiene and usage of faeces as fertilizer. The objective of this study was to investigate the suitability of terra preta sanitation TPS systems as an alternative sanitation option.
The effects of lactic-aid conditions in urine-separation dry toilets and a subsequent treatment by vermicomposting are assessed.
Research focused on analysing standard chemical and biochemical properties of the toilet products to evaluate their stability and maturity, and establish nutrient status. A comprehensive book on recycling human excrement without chemicals, high technology or pollution. Well written, practical, and thoroughly researched, this self-published book is built on nearly twenty years of experience by the author, who tells us about every aspect of dealing with excrement on the home-scale level.
Only available for free as web book. This book describes in an easy-to-understand and picture-based way how to construct three different low cost sanitation solutions, namely arborloos, fossa alterna and urine diversion toilets.
This book describes how to construct Arborloo toilets and how it can be upgraded to VIPs at a later stage. Smart Sanitation Solutions presents examples of low-cost household and community-based sanitation solutions that have proven effective and affordable. A wide range of innovative technologies for toilets, collection, transportation, treatment and use of sanitation products that have already helped thousands of poor families to improve their lives is illustrated.
This guide describes a marketing approach to composting, and is intended to help compost producers run more viable initiatives by unlocking the value of their product. The handbook does not cover everything there is to know about marketing, but starts with the basics and introduces the key principles and techniques.
This is the first book to compile the current state of knowledge on faecal sludge management. It addresses the organization of the entire faecal sludge management service chain, from the collection and transport of sludge, to the current state of knowledge of treatment options, and the final end use or disposal of treated sludge.
It also discusses important factors to consider when evaluating and upscaling new treatment technology options. This compendium gives a systematic overview on different sanitation systems and technologies and describes a wide range of available low-cost sanitation technologies.
The moisture level of the bedding should be similar to that of a damp sponge, so make sure you check on that regularly as well. The best types of worms to use for vermicomposting are red wigglers , a species that is very easy to maintain and actually prefers the compost environment over regular soil.
Red wigglers can eat half their body weight in a day. A typical home system needs about a pound of worms. Check out this video to see how much one pound of worms looks like so you can ensure that you buy the right quantity for your bin. Anything that comes from the ground can be composted at home.
While animal products can often be composted in municipal composting systems, at-home composting should avoid those items as they can attract animals and insects and leave pathogens in the final product. Pet waste contains parasites and bacteria that can be harmful to humans and other animals if ingested.
These pathogens can find their way into your body if you use compost that contains pet waste as fertilizer on edible crops. Compost must reach and remain at a minimum of degrees Fahrenheit for three consecutive days to kill pathogens found in pet waste, and it is hard to regulate and monitor that if you are composting at home.
It may be possible to compost dog waste in a home system, but you must follow USDA guidance carefully to ensure the proper conditions, and you should not include cat or any other pet waste. The USDA has resources that provide step-by-step instructions on how to compost dog waste, along with some recommendations to decrease health risks, including:. Specialized color or glossy paper may contain toxic materials from the printing inks and additives that may be harmful to humans, animals, and plant life.
While animal products meat, fish, eggs, bones, dairy, grease, fat are organic, they can create odor problems and attract flies, rodents, and other pests to your pile or bin. These products can also carry pathogens that may survive the home composting process.
You can trench compost small amounts of animal products. These materials should be kept away from at-home compost collections. However, if you have a large amount of these materials, see if your municipality accepts food waste for composting, or reach out to a nearby composting program that may accept these items.
Large-scale composting facilities can often take in these materials and compost them without the risks faced by a home composter. It is important to note that while fruit flies are annoying, they are harmless to humans and to compost. However, they reproduce quickly and can infest your yard or kitchen if not addressed.
Here are some things you can do:. Take standard safety precautions when handling the waste e. If you have a condition that predisposes you to an allergic reaction or infection, wear a dust mask while tending to your pile, especially in dry weather.
Compost needs to entirely stabilize and mature before it can be used. Not only can immature compost damage your plants , but it can also attract rodents and other pests to your yard.
You will need to stop adding material in order for your pile to mature although in no-turn systems, the bottom of the pile may provide finished compost even if the top of the pile is still active. You can identify finished compost by looking for these characteristics :.
Once you have confirmed that your compost is mature, here are some ways you can put it to use:. Compost cannot go bad, but it can get too wet, too dry, or too old. You can still use compost that is old; it just might not have as many nutrients in it as fresh compost. Some cities have programs that provide curbside collection of organic waste along with regular trash on select days.
Check your local municipal website or call to see if your city has such a program. Or find a nearby community or municipal composting site where you can subscribe to a pickup service or drop off your organic waste. If you outsource your composting, use a compost keeper to store food scraps between pickups or drop-offs.
During summertime, you can also freeze your food scraps before taking them to your compost site to reduce the chance of foul odors or maggots. Composting is not an exact science.
It takes time and experience to figure out the best way for you to compost in your environment. Remember—rot happens! Your compost pile will break down eventually no matter what. The more time you spend with it, the more you will learn. With minimal effort, you can turn those banana peels and apple cores into gold.
Let us break it down. Try incorporating these small tweaks into your routine. We will keep you informed with the latest alerts and progress reports. Jump to Section What Is Composting? Benefits of Composting Reduces the Waste Stream Composting is a great way to recycle the organic waste we generate at home.
Improves Soil Health and Lessens Erosion Compost is an essential tool for improving large-scale agricultural systems. Reduces Personal Food Waste Consumers are responsible for a staggering amount of wasted food. Add compost to the planting holes when transplanting seedlings into the garden. Top dress a few times during the growing season for best results.
For a great illustration on how compost helps boost plant growth, check out this Instagram post from Kristi. Unfinished compost is safe to use when mulching around trees and shrubs. As the compost decomposes, it will add more organic matter to the soil and improve moisture retention.
The resulting mixture is more of a pickle than compost. Food-cycled compost is shredded and dehydrated food waste that works just like organic fertilizer in your garden. Dig in around plants or inside beds to add nutrients to the soil.
A countertop food cycler shreds and dehydrates food waste, converting it into homemade garden fertilizer. And more surface area means quicker decomposition. That all depends! What are you composting?
What ratio of greens to browns did you add to your compost bin? Are you using a compost tumbler or turning your pile frequently? All these factors will affect the time your compost takes to fully break down.
In general, composting takes anywhere from three weeks to one year. Do you have other uses for finished compost? Share with us in the comments below. Shannon Cowan The blog editor at Eartheasy. Read Article Shop Products. After waiting all season, your compost is finally ready. What do you do with it now? What does finished compost look like? Depending on what you add to your pile, there may also be woody or fibrous pieces. A few avocado pits or corncobs are normal, since these take longer to break down.
Remove them from your finished compost and return to the pile to break down further. Traces of ammonia or sour odors indicate your compost needs more time to mature. A dark, rich color. Yes, but there is too much potential for pest problems, so we do not recommend composting these materials.
Yes, stacked in a pile, grass side down, kept moist and covered with black plastic. It can take up to two years to fully compost. A sunny spot is best because the heat of the sun speeds decomposition. However, the pile also dries out faster and requires more frequent watering than a pile in the shade. Insulation of the sides or top would help hold the heat of the process.
They are not a problem for the composting process — they actually contribute to the process by feeding on decaying and fresh wastes. Their proximity to the garden can, of course, be a problem. With citrus, it is best to chop the rinds as much as possible to aid decomposition. Compost them like other food wastes. As a general rule, it would be best to not compost diseased plant materials because of the chance of re-infecting your garden. When the pile returns to normal temperature and the organic material crumbles easily.
At this point you should not be able to recognize the material that you put in the original pile. The composting process in the average pile takes about 6 to 8 months, though an ideally mixed and tended pile may take less than as 8 weeks to become compost.
Compost can be used to enrich the garden, to improve the soil around trees and shrubs, as a soil amendment for houseplants and when screened, as a part of seed-starting mix or lawn top dressing. Some lawn herbicides may persist in the soil for 6 to 8 months. However, composting accelerates the degradation process. If treated grass clippings are composted for at least one year, pesticide residue should not be a problem when the compost is used in the garden or landscape.
The information given herein is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by the Texas AgriLife Extension Service is implied. Educational programs of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age, or national origin.
Web Site Maintenance: Administrator. Skip Navigation. AgriLife Extension Service. Chapter 6, Composting Questions and Answers What is really meant by the process of composting? What is compost? Does compost have any value as a fertilizer? Can compost be used as a substitute for fertilizer in the garden? Is it necessary to add lime calcium to the compost pile? What are the best materials for composting? Is it necessary to shred materials for the compost pile? Can a rotary mower be used to shred materials?
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