COMPOSTING FOR AGRICULTURAL USE (part one)

By this post , I'm presenting to the public a knowledge on how to produce organic fertilizer for the famer to use on production of crops which is far better than the chemical (inorganic) type which is very hazardous to human health ###

Composting is the biological decomposition of organic material into a humus-like substance called compost The process occur naturally, but can be accelerated and improved by controlling environmental factors. People may wonder, "why bother with composting if every thing organic decomposes eventually anyway?"

If raw wastes are put directly into the soil, the decomposition process will rob the soil of nitrogen an important nutrient for plants. ( Soil incorporation is one method of composting, but requires leaving the soil fallow) Finished compost from a pile is typically a more uniform product with a better balance of nutrient. It can be used throughout the growing season in many different types of applications.

With a pile, composters have more control over adding and mixing the amount of carbon and nitrogen materials used to make the end product. In addition, a properly controlled composting environment can endure production of high temperatures needef for killing weed seeds, diseased plant tissue,band pathogenic organisms.

Why Compost Yard Trimmings?

We live in a "Throw Away" society. It is considered easy to get rid if things we regard as useless or unhealthy by wrapping it up and placing it in the garbage can.
Nationwide, yard materials account for nearly 20% of all garbage generated each year (report by Environmental Protction Agency).

Once this useless material is taken away to a land fill, it really becomes useless. Enclosed in an oxygen-limited environment, the garbage degrades slowly. Landfills must be monitored to make sure that gases such as methane do not build up inside, and to make sure underground water do not become contaminated from landfill liquids. In addition, landfills are. Nearing their maximum capacity, and in the near furture need to be closed.
This throw away attitude is also prevalent with yard materials. Grass us cut, raked and bagged as well. Many times a special charge will be made to pick up these materials. Nutrients present in the materials are removed from the yard. These materials must be taken to landscape composting facilities, where they are posted, screened and possibly sold back.

Its very easy to turn this into a resource that can he reapplied to a yard. Composting, a biological process that decomposes organic materials under aerobic (oxygen required) condition, is becoming more popular to homeowners. Neighbors see neighbors composting leaves, gras and some other food materials, ask questions, and start making compost themselves. They like the idea of turning a waste into something that can be reapplied into the landscape.

History of Composting

Occasionally, curious individuals want to know the origins of composting. It is difficult to attribute the history or birth of composting to a specific individual or even one society.
The ancient Akkadian Empire in the Mesopotamian Valley referred to the use if manure in agriculture on tablets 1,000 years before Moses (of the bible) born. There is evidence that the Romans, Greeks and the tribes of Israel knew about compost.
The Bible and Talmud both contain numerous references to the use if rotted man, and in Renaissance literature. Notable writers such as William Shakespeare, Sir Francis Bacon, Sir Walter Raleigh all mentioned the use of compost.

In part two of this post, I will present the science of composting

Stay tuned.

Regards
From the desk of Udu Ben.