Research 22/01/24 (Literature has been put into key points)

 Composting Research Today 

Research 

https://www.gardenersworld.com/reviews/gardening-kit/which-type-of-compost-bin-is-best/

Key Points:

1. Compost Benefits:

• Compost serves as a rich blend of nutrients for gardens, functioning as a natural fertiliser, organic mulch, and soil improver.

• Making compost at home allows users to recycle kitchen and garden waste, promoting sustainability.

2. Variety of Compost Bins:

• Compost bins come in various shapes, sizes, and materials, catering to different needs and preferences.

• Plastic bins are ideal for small spaces, wooden bins are suitable for larger quantities, and insulated bins speed up the composting process.

3. Best Compost Bins in 2024:

• Blackwall Green Compost Converter (Best Budget)

• Modular Compost Bin (Best Large)

• Green Johanna 330 Litre Hot Composter (Best for Versatility)

• Hotbin Mk. 2 Composter (Best for Speed)

4. Testing Criteria:

• Bins were tested based on design, ease of use, compost quality, speed, value for money, and eco credentials.

• Each bin in the roundup scored a minimum of four out of five stars, ensuring reliable performance.

5. Materials of Compost Bins:

• Plastic bins are ideal for small spaces and should be placed on grass or earth.

• Wooden bins, often open to the elements, can be increased in efficiency with lids or covers.

• Hot compost bins, designed for high-temperature decomposition, need to stand on a hard surface.

6. How to Choose:

• Consider garden size, design, and desired compost quantity.

• Wooden bins process more waste, while insulated bins expedite the composting process.

• Consider the type of ground the bin will be placed on.

7. What to Put in a Compost Bin:

• Maintain a 50:50 ratio of nitrogen-rich "green" material (e.g., vegetable waste) and carbon-rich "brown" material (e.g., dead leaves).

• Green leaves, garden clippings, vegetable waste, twigs, newspapers, sawdust, and wood shavings are suitable for composting.

8. Testing Process:

• Bins were tested for design, setup, ease of use, compost quality, speed, value for money, and eco credentials over a year.

• Criteria included clarity of instructions, siting restrictions, waste addition/removal simplicity, composting speed, finished compost quality, warranty, and eco-friendliness.

9. Additional Information:

• Some models not awarded Best Buy still have unique features worth considering.

• Wormery bins, using worms for decomposition, are suitable for small-scale kitchen waste composting.

WINTER COMPOSTING 

https://www.reddit.com/r/composting/comments/i4qnln/what_do_you_all_do_in_winter/

1. User's Winter Composting Plan:

• Sifted compost was added to the garden in fall.

• Unfinished items are left in the bin for winter, with periodic stirring if not frozen.

2. Experiences in Toronto:

• Used black cone composters that stayed hot through winter.

• Dry leaves are used for covering contributions, and occasional stirring.

3. Winter Composting in Southern Alberta:

• Freezes solid, experiences freeze/thaw cycles.

• Continuous addition of material with occasional snow cover; mixing in spring.

4. Tips for Winter Composting:

• Covering with a breathable tarp to retain activity.

• Larger compost piles experience less heat loss in winter.

5. Importance of Carbon and Pile Turning:

• Emphasis on adding enough carbon to avoid odour issues.

• Caution against turning the pile in winter unless the temperature naturally falls.

6. Storage During Heavy Snow:

• Use a metal can for storage during heavy snow.

• Regular additions continue when snow reduces, and the can is dumped.

7. Commencement Timing in Minnesota:

• Starting a new pile in June to build mass for sustained winter composting.

8. Adaptation for Winter in New England:

• Using a tumbling composter and buckets for winter composting.

• Exploration of covering with a black tarp to retain heat.

9. Handling Extreme Cold in Winnipeg:

• Bins and tumblers freeze solid in -40°C temperatures.

• No active management during winter, only additions.

** This is a Reddit page that has opinions of composters around the world **

WINTER COMPOSTING 2

https://www.familyhandyman.com/list/10-tips-winter-composting/

1. Acceptable Compost Materials:

• Kitchen scraps: fruit peels, cores, and vegetable leftovers.

• Additional items: coffee grounds, paper filters, tea leaves, tea bags (staple-free), and eggshells.

2. Balancing Green and Brown Ingredients:

• Ensure a balance of green (nitrogen-rich) and brown (carbon-rich) ingredients.

• Add yard waste such as straw, dried leaves, and plant debris to achieve a well-balanced compost.

3. Materials to Avoid:

• Woody twigs and branches larger than ¼-inch in diameter require shredding.

• Avoid wood and leaves from specific plants like pine, spruce, juniper, and arborvitae.

• Exercise caution with plants treated with weed killers.

4. Optimal Carbon-to-Nitrogen Ratio:

• Aim for a ratio of about 30-to-1 for ideal acidity.

• Use a chart from the University of Missouri to estimate the right carbon-to-nitrogen ratio.

5. Building an Effective Pile:

• Construct a pile of 3 to 4 feet on each side for heat retention and air diffusion.

• Alternate material layers and maintain moisture by sprinkling water during the building process.

• Introduce topsoil or winter compost between layers for microorganisms and odour absorption.

6. Temperature Tracking:

• Monitor compost pile temperature, aiming for 90-140 degrees Fahrenheit for rapid decomposition.

• Recognize that decomposition slows during winter but resumes in spring with rising temperatures.

• Adjust activity by adding nitrogen-rich materials and turning the pile when temperatures drop too low.

7. Moisture Control:

• In regions with ample rain and snow, moisture control is crucial.

• Consider a sealed compost tumbler to prevent excessive moisture absorption.

• Add dry leaves to the tumbler to absorb any excess moisture.

8. Insulation Techniques:

• Move compost bins to sunnier parts during winter for microbial activity.

• Use layers of leaves, straw, cardboard, or sawdust to insulate and retain warmth in the pile.

9. Worm Composting (Vermicomposting):

• Consider vermicomposting during colder months using worms to break down food waste.

• Build a DIY bin with a plastic storage container and PVC pipe.

• Worm composting is effective in temperatures between 40-80 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Composting Basics

https://thecompostconnection.co.uk/principles-of-composting/

1. Natural Decomposition:

• Picture natural decay in a forest – bacteria, fungi, worms, and soil life breaking down organic matter into soil.

2. Composting as Cooking:

• Composting is like cooking; it requires a mix of ingredients that vary with seasons.

• Stir compost to mix ingredients, and add water if too dry, resulting in crumbly, dark brown compost.

3. Balancing Ingredients:

• Achieve a balance of carbon (browns) and nitrogen (greens) materials for effective composting.

• Greens include kitchen scraps, grass clippings, and fresh waste; browns consist of dried leaves, cardboard, and woodchips.

4. Four Key Components:

• Soil life needs Carbon, Oxygen, Nitrogen, and Water (COWN) for successful composting.

• Maintain a balance; too much of one component can lead to issues like odour or slow decomposition.

5. Oxygen Requirements:

• Add twiggy "browns" to create air pockets in the compost.

• Periodically turn or stir the compost to introduce oxygen and break up dense areas.

6. Water Management:

• Ensure adequate water for microbes and composting process; moist, not soggy.

• Use the "squeeze test" to check moisture levels regularly.

7. Hot or Cold Composting:

• Hot composting involves quick, intense decomposition, reaching high temperatures (50⁰C – 70⁰C).

• Cold composting is a slower method, suitable for smaller quantities, taking 6 - 24 months.

8. Pros and Cons:

• Hot Composting:

•.    Pros: Kills weed seeds, rapid composting (2-6 months), allows composting of meat, fish, dairy, and cooked food.

• Cons: Requires frequent turning, building a big pile is labour-intensive.

• Cold Composting:

• Pros: Simpler, less turning required, suitable for small quantities.

•     Cons: Weed seeds may survive, slower composting (6 - 24 months), limited to raw fruit and vegetable peelings.

Successful composting is about finding the right balance of ingredients, managing oxygen levels, and ensuring adequate moisture for the composting process.