Compost

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For the process of producing compost see composting

Compost is the aerobically decomposed remnants of organic materials. Compost is used in gardening and agriculture as a soil amendment, and commercially by the landscaping and container nursery industries. It is also used for erosion control, land/stream reclamation, wetland construction, and as landfill cover (see compost uses).

Compost is what is technically known as a 'growing medium', in that it is a granular or fibrous mixture of material that will hold some moisture and has some nutrients, and provide a bare minimum material for most plants to grow in, although to ensure maximum plant growth (if its used to grow something), it is necessary to add neutralisers to make the pH around 7, extra nutrients in the form of fertilisers or manure, and possibly wetting agents, and materials to improve drainage and aeration, such as sand, grit, bark chips, coir, Vermiculite, Perlite, and clay granules.

Compost ingredients

Given enough time, all biodegradable material will compost. However, most backyard systems will not reach high enough temperatures to kill pathogens or deter vermin, so pet droppings, non-vegetarian animal manure, scraps of meat, and dairy products are often left to operators of high-rate, thermophilic composting systems.

British composting standard

The British Composting Association worked to establish an industry standard for the composts, the BSI PAS 100 certified by the British Standards Institute. The specification covers the entire process: from raw materials and production methods, through quality control and lab testing ensuring certified composts are quality assured traceable safe and reliable.^[1]

Compost types and ingredients

• Biodegradable waste
• Coffee grounds
• Compost tea
• Effective Microorganisms
• Green waste
• Humanure
• Humus
• Leaf mold
• Mulch
• Spent mushroom compost
• Worm compost
• Cocoa fibre
• Tree bark
• Sphagnum Moss
• Loam
• Sand
• Grit
• Vermiculite
• Pearlite

Commercially mixed composts are usually mixed to suit specific plants or specific groups of plants, and are sold under generic names, such as

• Potting and Bedding Compost
• Seed compost
• Nursery Stock Compost
• Ericacious Compost
• Primular and Pansy Compost
• Orchid Compost
• Fruit Compost

But there are literally hundreds of types, not including the specially mixed composts that each grower has made - these as custom mixes and sometimes the exact composition is closely guarded secret.

See also

• Anaerobic digestion
• Composting
• Composting toilet
• List of composting systems
• Mechanical biological treatment
• Soil conditioner
• Waste management
• micro-organisms

References

1. ↑ Introduction to PAS 100 Waste Resource Action Programme & Composting Association Document

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