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Show ' I 6B Sun Advocate Price, Utah Thursday March 14, 2002 Composting solves problems and provides answers 120-140- r is maintained fur several weeks depending on conditions. As- ' - Fxtcnsiion agent The bendilsof using compost Duringamtposling, microorganisms amsume oxygen while feeding on organic matter. Active composting generates considerable heal, and large quantities of carbon dioxide (CU2) and water us a soil amendment include increasing soil tilth, fertility, water holding capacity, aeration, and drainage Composting is the aerobic, or decomposition of organic materials by microorganisms under controlled conditions. Hiictcria start the process and are responsible for much of the decomposition work. Their metabolism creates tlie lieat ( f the compost pile. Fungi, protozoans, earthworms, centipedes, beetles, and millipedes assist the biideria in breaking down plant tissues. final product. Composting begins as soon as the raw materials are mixed together. During the initial stages of the process,, oxygen and the easily degradable components of die raw materials are rapidly consumed by the microorganisms. The temperature of the windrow or pile is directly related to microorganism activity and is a good indicator of what is occurring on inside the pile. The temperature of composting materials generally follows a pattern of light each day. The location should not detract from the landscape. Water should be readily available. Good drainage is important; otherwise, standing water could impede the decomposition process. Step 2 - Select Compost Container Many containers are suit- able provided they are Accessible, resist decay, and allow air flow. How do you decide which container will work best for you? Consider the amount of time and space you have, and the quantity of materials you will be composting. Most compost containers fall into one of these categories: heaps (simple stacked piles), hoops (caged enclosures). Julex Vinyl Todd Hamilton i T1Tniiriii I 435-636-89- 81 435-650-18- 23 amounts of material quickly. Usually these systems are equipped with a stand and rollers to facilitate turning, although some people just roll their barrel around the yard to achieve the temperatures. The composting process is affected by the compost pile site, compost container type and size, raw materials, and the amount of water and oxygen in the materials. Step 1 - Select Composting Site: A good location is helpful for a successful compost pile. The compost pile should be posed to at least six hours of sun- vapor are released into the air. The CTJ2 and water losses can amount to half the weight of the initial materials, thereby reducing the volume and mass of the g, between lloand 1500desL. 55-gall- on more pathogens, weed seeds, an drum can work very well. By perforating the drum with air holes and cutting an access hatch on the , side you can create a system which will compost small active composting slows, temperatures will gradually drop until the compost reaches ambient air ment, according to Marlon Winger, Carbon County oxygen-requirin- where it F place within two temperat ranges known as mesophilic (f 105F) and thermophilic (c1 1050F). Keeping temperati Barrel It (good for limited space, easy turning, moderate to high cost) If you dont have enough space for piles or elaborate bias a modified rapid increase to growing season, 30 percent or more if landfill waste is organic yard refuse. Home composting of yard and garden trimmings eases landfill problems and recycles" these organics into a valuable soil amendI hiring tlic , same effect. Step 3 - Select Raw Materials: Almost all natural, organic material will compost, but not everything belongs in the compost pile. Some wastes attract pests; others contain pathogens that can survive the compost process. fly larvae in the composting ma teriala. windrows or piles may be replenished by lifting and turning the materials with a pitch-for- k or by means of a mechanical turner. Tty to put the outside, cjrier materials in the center of newly-turne- d piles. Hirning a pile weekly can produce compost in one to two months with the right combination of materials and moisture level; monthly turning will pro- com-piste- 1 Step 7 - Curing: Finished duce compost in four to six months. Without turning, choosing materials to go into the .composting may take six months compost pile is the time they to two years. Aeration is generneed to break down. Woody maally the main factor affecting the terials, such as chips, branches, time necessary to produce fintwigs, and paper, can take up to ished compost. two years to decompose unless Step 5 - Keeping the Pile are Moist: or Moisture is necessary to finely chipped they ded. Chopping your garden trimsupport the metabolic processes mings with a shovel or machete, of microorganisms. Composting or running them through a chipmaterials should be maintained ping machine or lawnmower will within a range of 40 percent to speed their decomposition. Op- 65 percent moisture. As a rule of timum composting conditions thumb, the materials are too wet are obtained with particle sizes if water can be squeezed out of a ranging from 18 to 2 inches av- Another consideration in compost is dark, crumbly, ani has an earthy and odor. Pile temperature in fin non-offens- ivi ished compost may still b$ slightly higher than ambient aif temperature. Most finished con posts will benefit from an additional curing phase. 3 Curing refers to leaving fig ished compost in a pile undisturbed for up to one month t? allow any final chemical and erage diameter. . L reactions to occur - Quality Kray Products -- and stabilize the compost Im- Many Styles & fora fR6 Ptanter 8oitXminlrTiOrtBO(B150ocbd) bins (boxed enclosures), and barrels (drum enclosures). YARDHGARDENHRV POWER EQUIPMENTiSAIES&TSERVIC QUALITY PRODUCTS FOR LONG LIFE 4 For fast, hot compost, the ideal pile size is one cubic yard (3 feet x 3 feet x 3 feet). This volume effectively retains the heat generated by the bacteria. The volume ofa single pile should not exceed two cubic yards in order to maintain proper ventilation of the pile. If space is a limiting factor, die pile sides can be insulated so that higher temperatures can be maintained in a smaller volume. Heap It (no cost, good if you have ample space) Simply pile your materials in heaps, ideally at least one cubicyard in volume. If well constructed, heaps are good for no turn composting. Just leave the pile for several months or more. Hoop It (low cost, tidier than heaps) Woven wire mesh or fencing make good enclosures and keep the pde tidy. If you secure it with hooks or twists of wire, you can undo the hoop, set it up next to the pile, and turn the pile bad: into the hoop in its new location. Box It (looks good, easy to cover, low to moderate cost) You can use almost any type of scrap or .new lumber, bricks, or cinderbiocks to build an attrac-- ; tive and functional bin for com-pos- t. DEPENDABLE SERVICES Mantis Tillers Estate Trimmers Toro Super Recyder Mowers Lawn-Bo- y Dura Force Mowers Dixon ZTR Riding Mowers " Manco Fun Kart Echo Trimmers & Blowers Husqvama Chain Saws We Service What We Sell PRICE TRADING PUIS C0.-PAR- T5 33 N. Carbon Ava., Price 637-317- 6 - Energy Bills Too High! we have the aoswenn More efficient heating & cooling systems equal lower energy bills! Come in or call us about the new higher efficiency heating & cooirng products. Price Sheet Metal 594 South Carbon Ave., Price 24 Hour Service 9 637-25-80 637-870- Make sure to leave spaces in the sides for air to get through, and make the front removable fix easy access to tum or retrieve the compost. Construct several bins to facilitate turning of the compost .. side-by-si- de PD TODF wimmmtrmtMatSmadeamtmaeSSl . down. The compost pile will require carbon-ric- h and nitrogen-ric- h materials for efficient decomposition. Microorganisms use carbon for both energy and growth, while nitrogen is essential for growth and reproduction. Carbon is found in dry, brown materials, such as leaves, chipped woody brush, sawdust, and straw. Nitrogen is most abundant in fresh, green yard and garden trimmings, vegetable scraps, and livestock manures. The proper compost mixture contains approximately 2 parts carbon-ric- h materials to I part nitrogen-ric- h material. Do not put pet wastes in your compost pile. If the pile has too little carbon, the available carbon is fully utilized without stabilizing all of the nitrogen, which can lead to the production of excess ammonia and unpleasant odors. If the pile has too little nitrogen, not enough N.is available, for the growth of microorganisms and the composting process slows dramatically, If additional nitrogen is needed, add approximately 1 pound of actual nitrogen to each If the comport pile is too wet water will displace much of the air in the pore spaces of the composting materials which limits air movement and leads to anaerobic conditions. Moisture content generally decreases as 'composting proceeds; therefore! ypu may need to periodically add water to the compost Step 6 - Keeping the Pile at the Specializing in delivering quality sod to homes and businesses in Utah & Colorado r Call Toll Free Proper Temperature: Composting will essentially take CarbonNilPogeD Ratios i Sandy loam (fine) Humus 10:1 Food scraps i 7:1 i . . 12-25:- ' 20:1 25:1' 60:1 20:1 10:1 18:1 Peatmoss Cornstalks ; 25:1.- l - 26:1 ; ; . 12-20- :1 ' Leaves, varies 1 1. 20:1 . Horse manure ' Horse manure with litter Rotted manure' Poultry manure (fresh) . Poultry manure with litter Sandy loam (coarse) Oak leaves (green) composted. Mix the nitrogen with the compost as the pile is constructed. Step 4 - Aerating the Pile: Aerobic composting consumes large amounts of oxygen, particularly during the initialstages. If the supply of oxygen is limited, the composting process may turn 1 . ' 18:1 10:1 Alfalfa hay Grass clippings . Coffee greunds Vegetable trimming Ccw manure 35-85- :1 "58:1. 60:1 80:1 Straw Pine needles 60-110- :1 Arm manure 90:1 Newspaper Douglas fir bark Sawdust, weathered 2 months 50-200- :1 4 anaerobic, which is a much slower and more odorous process. Oxygen levels within the yimr Cmpfth : 491:1 625:1 I Iwisups Csmfmf Concrete Edging Colas, Stamps Landscaping Sprinklers Vinyl Ricky Cook 249 S. 500 W. Price, UT 84501 w: c: 435-637-57- 62 801-450-38- 48 435-637-39- 05 J Now is tire time to fence get your carpets & upholstery cleaned. Carpet & Upholstery protector available. - ...j, 2731 North Hastings Rd. Green River Utah 84525 IE-- n lor Compost!) Organics cubic yard of material being h: -8- 00-SOE1b2PAV TTHt incompletely 2Sh Sod Today - Lawn Tomorrow 1 handful of compost and too dry if the handful does not feel moist to the touch. If the compost pile is too dry, the process slows Hissaro - composted materials may release ammonia and other gasq or continue to heat upon application to soil, damaging plants;: Curing ensures that the composting process is indeed complete and that these potent tial problems are minimized). View the curing phase as extra insurance against problems arising from using compost Colors Amiable 6' Privacy Fence $1L50 per feet S' Ranch RoD $4410 per feet Mention this od or- properly Privacy Fence, Ranch Roil. Picket Fence, Decking, Porch Rail and Accessories Limited Lifetime UJarrontv j . If the temperature of you) compost pile is in the mesophilk range, tty mixing the pile. If thi temperature still does not read the thermophilic range, revie the steps described above to del termine whether one or more cj the essential factors is limiting the composting process. If you are still unable to increase th( composts temperature, the acf , tive stage of composting is . tiv : a . .. mf - (3 a '"i m d010?I793i& r I |