Benefits of Aerobic Composting

Composting is a means of accelerating the decay of organic material for the purposes of fertilizing plants. Forms of composting have been used for thousands of years and in a wide variety of contexts, from commercial farms to communes to flowerbeds. In modern landscaping, supplementing topsoil with rich compost can speed plant growth as well as provide nutrients that are otherwise lacking in the soil.

Typically, compost piles are formed of organic food and plant waste. Common materials utilized include clean paper, leaves and yard waste, dried eggshells, coffee, vegetables, fruits, and homebrewing waste. Water is added and the mixture gradually breaks down into soil over a period of months due to the activity of microorganisms. This process can be accelerated in a number of ways: adding worms and fungi, shredding or otherwise physically breaking up waste material, and periodically turning the entire mixture. Heat in excess of 150 degrees Fahrenheit is produced as a result of the reactions accompanying the decomposition process?this helps kill a number of harmful organisms in the soil, such as weed seeds. As a result, proper compost is fantastically healthy for the soil. It can replenish key nutrients as well as act as a natural pesticide, creating conditions inhospitable to some soil pathogens.

Aerobic composting refers to the practice of deliberate aeration of the compost pile. Amounts of oxygen help in sustaining and accelerating the decomposition process. Periodically moistening the pile also helps the process along, though too much water can force the oxygen out of the mixture and halt the process. Interestingly, anaerobic composting uses an excess of water to accomplish the same feat. Organic material is completely submerged in water, where the decomposition process gradually depletes the oxygen. Odor is trapped in the liquid as well. Anaerobic composting is best done in sealed containers that cut off access to oxygen. This type of composting is typically slower than aerobic composting but may be a much better option for homeowners working in small landscapes.

Homeowners may choose a variety of structures for their composting needs. Simple wooden or plastic bins work well?they are cheap, readily available, and easily constructed. Composting outside in the open air can also work well during the warmer months. Winter composting will require a few creative solutions, however. Since winter temperatures are often too low to sustain microbial activity, homeowners may insulate enclosed composting structures with straw bales. In this manner, compost piles may be maintained year-round. This practice is particularly important during spring and fall plantings, as most newly planted landscapes benefit tremendously from the nutrient boost received from compost. Root systems are established more quickly and compost's abundance of nutrients increases the probability that all competing plants will survive.

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