Compost

What Does Compost Mean?

Compost is decomposed organic matter (often created from recycled matter) that can be used as a fertilizer. Compost is very beneficial for plants because it is rich in nutrients. It can be applied to soil as an amendment or to plants in several ways.

Compost reduces the need for chemical fertilization, making it a key component in organic farming.

Maximum Yield Explains Compost

In its simplest form, compost is created by building a heap of wet, organic material and then allowing the materials to break down, or decompose, over an extended period of time. The heap is regularly aerated through turning. During the decomposition process, the mixture becomes rich in chemicals like ammonium, which is the form of nitrogen used by plants.

Organic materials such as yard waste and food scraps are some of the most common ingredients in compost. Having the right combination of materials is the key to nutrient-rich compost, and most compost is created from an equal mixture of “brown” and “green” materials.

• Brown materials are things like twigs, dead leaves, and branches, and provide carbon to the compost mixture.
• Green materials consist of household waste like food scraps, grass clippings, and coffee grounds, and provide nitrogen.

The benefits from composting include:

• The minimization of waste, which would otherwise be sent to landfills where it would take up space and produce methane gas.
• Improving the soil structure and increasing the soil's nutrient content.