Composting organic manure involves mixing it correctly with other materials at a specific ratio and ensuring adequate moisture.
Composting is an effective way to transform organic materials, including animal manure, into valuable soil conditioner. A successful composting process relies on having the right balance of materials, often categorized by their carbon and nitrogen content, along with sufficient moisture and aeration.
Based on established methods for good composting, here's a breakdown of the process involving organic manure:
Material Preparation and Mixing Ratio
The balance between 'greens' (nitrogen-rich, fresh materials like manure) and 'browns' (carbon-rich, dry materials) is crucial for microbial activity that drives decomposition.
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Ideal Mixing Ratio: For a good composting process, a recommended approach is to mix 1 part of fresh plant materials and manure with 2 parts of medium sized rough dry materials. This ratio helps achieve a suitable carbon-to-nitrogen balance and provides structure for airflow within the pile.
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Components for the Mix:
- Fresh Materials & Manure (1 part): This includes your organic manure, fresh grass clippings, green leaves, or non-oily kitchen scraps.
- Dry, Rough Materials (2 parts): Examples are dry leaves, straw, wood shavings, shredded newspaper or cardboard, and small twigs. The "rough" aspect is important for creating air pockets.
Here’s a quick look at the recommended proportions based on the method:
| Material Type | Proportion | Key Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh Plant Materials and Organic Manure | 1 part | Nitrogen, moisture |
| Medium Sized Rough Dry Materials | 2 parts | Carbon, structure, aeration |
Composting Steps
Once your materials are gathered according to the recommended ratio, you can begin the composting process:
- Combine Materials: Mix your 1 part fresh materials (including manure) thoroughly with your 2 parts dry, rough materials.
- Watering: During the mixing process, the materials should be well watered. The goal is for the pile to be consistently moist, similar to a wrung-out sponge. Adequate moisture is essential for the microbes responsible for breaking down the organic matter.
- Build the Pile:
- You can create a single, uniform pile from your mixed materials.
- Alternatively, some methods suggest piling the materials in layers instead of mixing them all together initially. You might layer greens/manure with browns repeatedly until your pile reaches the desired size.
Ensuring the compost pile remains moist and gets enough air (often by turning it periodically) will help the decomposition process proceed efficiently, transforming the manure and plant matter into valuable compost ready for use in your garden or landscaping.
