COMPOSTING Science Page

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UNITED STATES BOTANIC GARDEN

WHAT IS COMPOSTI NG? In nature, bacteria, fungi, worms, and

other soil organisms help to break down
Composting is the dead plants and animals, as well as
controlled decay of animal wastes. The decomposed organic
plant and animal material becomes part of the soil. This
matter to produce natural decay process usually takes place
compost—a dark, rich very slowly.
soil-like material.
Compost can be added Leaves that fall to the forest
floor slowly decay to form part
to soil to improve its of the organic matter in soil.
structure and nutrient
content. Composters create ideal growing
conditions for compost organisms.
This speeds up the natural decay
process.

WHAT COMPOST ORGANISMS NEED

1. A balanced diet of 2. Just the right 3. The right temperature
compost materials amount of air and
water Organic materials will eventually
“Browns” are compost decay, even in a cold compost pile.
materials that are brown and If there’s the right But the decay process is speeded
dry. amount of oxygen and up in a hot compost pile. When
sawdust
moisture, microbes can bacteria and fungi grow rapidly,
rapidly grow and they burn a lot of food, and give
leaves
multiply. Too much—or off a lot of heat. If the compost
straw
too little—water, and pile is big enough, the heat will
microbes will die. build up inside the pile. Bacteria
“Browns” are high in carbon, which is
energy food for microbes. Compost materials should that grow well at high
have a thin film of water temperatures take over and speed
“Greens” are compost around them, and lots of pore up the decay process.
materials that are green and spaces filled with air. 1m
moist.
kitchen compost
waste material
1m
film of
water
air

“Greens” are high grass cuttings

in nitrogen, which A
I’m mixing my compost
microbes need to 1m
compost pile so that pile that is
make proteins.
If I add about 3 all the compost about one cubic
parts browns to 1 organisms get meter (1m x 1m x 1m)
enough air and in size is big enough to hold in heat and
part greens, then warm up.
the compost water.
organismswill have
a balanced diet.
1/2 m

This compost pile is not

big enough to retain
heat, so it stays cool.
 less of its original size, dark brown, and has
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CROSSWORD a nice, earthy odor.

PUZZLE Green layers should be no
browns
Across more than 3-5 cm thick.
2. Compost materials that are high in carbon. Brown layers should be greens
4. Dark, rich, soil-like material. 2-3 times as thick as browns
green layers. greens
6. A compost pile should be big enough so browns
Start with a brown layer,
builds up inside it. then a green layer, then a greens
7. A balanced diet for microbes is about browns
brown layer, and so on.
greens
parts browns to one part greens. Always end with a brown
Down layer so that wastes are browns
covered. twigs
1. Microbes that help break down plant and
animal matter.
3. Compost organisms need just the right SPOTLIGHT
amount 1. 2. 3. ON RESEARCH
of . Compost Can Help Control Plant Diseases
5. Compost Recent research has shown that compost not
materials 4. 5. only improves soil. It can also help to control
that plant diseases caused by fungi. Fungi that
microbes attack plants include molds, rusts, mildews, and
use to 6. 7. smuts. They over-winter in the soil and in plant
make debris. When the weather is warm, they
proteins. produce spores, which can be splashed or blown
onto wet leaves. Then the spores can germinate
and infect plants.
Scientists are testing different composts to
find out what types are most effective at
suppressing harmful fungi. In one study, a team
of scientists tested different composts to see
TRY THIS which one would be best for controlling fruit rot
BUILD A COMPOST PILE in pumpkins. Fruit rot is a serious problem that
What you need affects pumpkins, melon, squash, peppers,
* 3-meter length of * twist ties tomatoes, and eggplants. In greenhouse trials,
wire mesh fencing * compost materials scientists first screened composts made of
* wire cutters * duct tape several different materials. One product, made
What to do from brewery wastes, stood out as very
1. Choose a site to set up your compost bin. effective. In the following year, the brewery
Try to find a shady, well-drained, level place waste compost was applied to two fields where
that is convenient. fruit rot had been a big problem in the past. In
2. Snip off the fencing close to the cross wires one field, no disease occurred, and the growth
and cover the sharp ends with duct tape to and yield of pumpkins improved a great deal
avoid getting scratched. Lap the ends of the compared to untreated fields. In the other field,
fencing together and tie together with twist- the brewery waste compost was not effective in
ties to make a cylinder one meter high and suppressing fruit rot. Scientists think that
one meter in diameter. perhaps there was just too much of the fruit rot
3. Put a layer of twigs in the bottom of the bin fungi present. If brewery compost were added
to help air to reach the center of the pile. to this field for several more years, then the
4. As you collect compost materials, layer them disease might be suppressed. Time will tell.
in the compost pile, as shown in the picture. Source: Rangarajan, A., Tuttle McGrath, M., and Blomgren, T. (2001).
Evaluation of two commercially available composts for managing
5. Stir or turn the compost every week or so to phytophthora fruit rot of pumpkin. New York IPM Program, Cornell
let in more air. To reach the compost, undo University, Ithaca, NY. <www.hort.cornell.edu/extension/commercial/
vegetables/ online/2001veg/pdfs/text/IPMfinalreportPumpkins.pdf>
the twist-ties and open the fencing.
6. The length of time it takes for compost to be Ha! Ha!
ready depends on many factors, such as Ha! Ha!
weather conditions, the type of materials RIDDLE
included, and the amount of turning. If you Why did the gardener bury money in his
want your compost to be finished faster, compost pile?
keep it moist and turn it a couple of times a
week. Finished compost is about one-third or