Learn about the different vocabulary and terms used in composting with this glossary.
Definition Anaerobic composting is a form of composting that requires little to no oxygen. In fact, just as aerobic means with air, anaerobic means without air. In the process, anaerobic bacteria, i.e. bacteria that do not need air, turn organic material into compost. They also release gases, which include large amounts of methane. The process …
If you read much about soil or compost, you’ll soon come across references to salts. This doesn’t necessarily mean the table salt (aka sodium chloride) you have in the kitchen. A salt can be any substance that is made up of ions. For example, sodium chloride is made up of sodium ions and chloride ions. …
Protozoa are microscopic single-celled organisms that can be found in water droplets in the compost heap. They are larger than bacteria and more complex in their activities. Their size varies from 5 to 1000 micrometers. There are thought to be many thousands of types of Protozoa, and only a few hundred have been identified. These …
Aerobic composting is a process that uses microorganisms that require air to break down organic matter into compost. In fact, the word “Aerobic’ literally means “with air”. The microorganisms that require air in this process include aerobic bacteria, fungi, and physical decomposers. Aerobic composting produces heat, water, and carbon dioxide (CO2). While CO2 is classified …
What is lignin? Lignin is a tough material that is found in cell wall plants. It helps to provide plants with rigidity and strength and also acts as a protective barrier against pathogens and environmental stress. What compost materials are high in lignin? Organic materials that are high in lignin include wood chips, sawdust, bark, …
What Is Lignin, And Why Does It Matter In Composting? Read More »
The traditional definition of humus is a dark, organic material that consists of partially decomposed plant and animal matter. It is uniformly black or a dark brown in colour, and has a spongy texture. To add to much confusion around humus, it is also often used to refer to compost. It has been argued that …
What Is Humus? The Famous Soil And Compost Element That Probably Doesn’t Exist Read More »
Free Air Space (abbreviated to FAS) refers to the air pockets created in compost piles. In many guides to composting, a huge amount of focus is given the Carbon: Nitrogen ratio. While this plays a role in composting, getting the C:N right is both difficult and less important than you might imagine. In contrast, FAS …
Free Air Space: The Magic Key to Making Compost? Read More »
My first compost heaps were pretty awful. I used to put everything in a corner of the garden, and then wondered months later why I had a slimy mess. Later on I experimented with regular turning of my compost pile, and decided it was too much work to turn a compost heap every few days. …
Compost Bulking Agent: The Secret Key to Successful Composting Read More »
Soil, when looked after, works wonders. In fact, after years of abusing soil with tractors, chemicals and artificial fertilisers, we are only just starting to learn how well it works when treated well. Much of that wonder comes down to Mycorrhizae Fungi. Contents What is mycorrhizal fungi? Mycorrhizae fungi is a family of fungus that …
Simple questions such as what is compost/composting should be easy to answer. Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be an accepted definition of either term. Indeed, explanations vary from book to book and from article to article. That makes life difficult for the serious composter. After all, our species’ very ability to communicate depends on having …