Composting Basics

What is Composting?   It is the purposeful biodegradation of organic matter, such as yard and food waste.  The decomposition is performed by micro-organisms, including bacteria, yeasts, and fungi.  There are a wide range of organisms in the decomposer community, including springtails, ants, nematoes, isopods and earthworms. 

Composting breaks organic materials down into humus, which is the final stage of decomposition.  At this point, the material is considered stable, in that it does not break down into any further constituents and remains stable as this compound.  Humus is dark, spongy and jelly-like, and is amorphus in composition.  It acts like a sponge, helping to retain moisture in the soil by increasing microporosity.  It contributes to the fertility of the soil and is often described as the 'life-force' of the soil.

Figure 2.  Allowable items to add to your Earth Machine composter.

Composting Websites

Biodynamic Composting

Composting for Home Gardeners 

Backyard Composting

Nutrient Content of Fertilizers and Organic Materials

Worm Composting

Wonderworms

For Nutrient Information on Compost follow this link...

C:N Ratio of Horse Manure as a Compost