The process of how compost is made – and how it benefits soil and plants – is fascinating. It’s also useful, as an awareness can help you create faster compost, better soil and healthy, luxurious plants.
If you’re new to the science of composting, we suggest starting with The Science of Compost – How Compost Happens!
Boy, do we produce a lot of manure. In the EU alone we produce 1400 million tonnes of manure, and the USA produces a similar amount. (That’s just the animals, humanure excluded.) This causes problems – think methane being released into the atmosphere, for example. But it also has the potential for some serious benefits
Use Manure, But Make Sure You Compost It First, Say Scientists. Here’s Why… Read More »
A new study has uncovered the secret role of viruses in breaking down organic matter in compost. While bacteria are known to play a major role in nutrient cycling, researchers have often overlooked the role of viruses in composting. Using advanced techniques, scientists have delved into the impact of compost bacteria and their viruses during
5th April 2023 In a groundbreaking new study, researchers have discovered that using compost can significantly improve both the growth and nutritional quality of vegetables, specifically carrots. The scientists behind the study were experimenting with a compost that had been made at high temperatures. The compost used in the study contained the bacteria Baccillus, a
Compost Is Secret To Growing More Nutritious Veg Says New Study Read More »
30th March, 2023 Bulking agents key to effective composting – scientists identify the best ones to use As global warming and waste management continue to dominate headlines, a team of Greek researchers has identified some of the keys to efficiently transforming food-waste into quality compost within just 21 days. The research highlights the urgent need
Researchers Unveil Secrets to Effective Home Composting Read More »
Looking for a handy Carbon-Nitrogen Ratio List to guide your composting efforts? In this article, you’ll find a comprehensive table of C:N ratios for everything from food waste to manures—and even a simple calculator to help you mix materials. C:N Ratio Calculator Select materials from the dropdown or add custom ones. The calculator will help
Compost C:N Ratio Calculator & Comprehensive Material Tables Read More »
Compost science is a fascinating topic, but getting a decent grasp of it online often means wading through realms of densely written material. Simply put, science-based articles on compost are rarely written for the layperson. So when I was recently offered a copy of “Compost Science for Gardeners: Simple Methods for Nutrient Rich Soil” for
15th March, 2023 Across the world, millions of tonnes of human and pet hair waste are discarded every year. Recycling and re-use accounts for just a fraction of that. Current waste disposal of human waste varies across the world and causes a number of problems. Source: Gupta, Human Hair “Waste” and Its Utilization: Gaps and
Pet and Human Hair Make Great Compost Finds Study Read More »
The fastest way to turn kitchen and garden waste into compost is aerobic composting. Aerobic literally means ‘with air’ – so as you can imagine, air is pretty important for aerobic composting! In this post, we’re going to dig a little into the science of why it’s important, what happens when it’s not present, as
Optimizing Oxygen: Understanding the Role Of Air In Making Compost Read More »
Have you ever wondered what does the heavy lifting in your compost heap? The answer is a single-celled microscopic organism that comes in a variety of shapes and sizes and can be found living in virtually every ecosystem on Earth – bacteria. These microscopic microorganisms are truly tiny (about 500 million times smaller than the
The Mind-Boggling Role of Bacteria In Compost Read More »
Composting is a magical process that has been used for thousands of years to improve the soil. Still, there was a time when people worried about what was in compost – in fact, at one point gardeners often sterilised compost before using it. However, in recent years, composting has also been recognized for its ability
The Pathogen-Destroying Power of Composting Read More »