what is good for using as a compost activator?

Compost (/ ˈ k ɒ m p ɒ s t / or / ˈ k ɒ m p oʊ s t /) is organic matter that has been broken down into simpler organic or inorganic matter in a process called composting. Compost can be used in many ways. Your compost pile should be moist like a damp sponge, not soggy or waterlogged. The bigger the pile, the faster it breaks down. Don’t expect to throw down some grass clippings, add an activator and get compost in a week (eventually it will decompose, but not how we would want). One thing that will really rev up a compost pile is boosting it with a compost activator. Before you go out whizzing on your compost pile, please remember to do this in moderation if you decide to. Shredded newspaper Glossy magazines don’t make for good compost, but thin printed paper can go on the pile. How to use compost. Place a 1- to 2-inch layer of garden soil on top of the activator. 1. One idea for a compost accelerator is old fertilizer. As you build your compost pile, sprinkle the liquid activator between the layers to ensure a supply of nitrogen throughout. Microbes are most active when compost is in the neutral ranges between 6.0 and 8.0. Use care to add plenty of dry ingredients like leaves, dried twigs and shredded wood to keep the pile active and prevent the pile from becoming too wet. What is a compost activator? Browns for Your Compost Bin "Browns" are the carbon-rich materials that add aeration to the pile and structure to your compost. Cuts of comfrey fresh or wilted can be laid onto the compost heap, layered with the weeds or grass cuttings. Keep it moistWater is another key component in making compost, but you don't need too much. If it’s too dry, the bacteria will die for lack of water. According to … Urine has been long-established as a free compost "activator" (aka "liquid gold"), because it's full of nitrogen, but there are other benefits too. Regular treatments with Bio-Activator and good … A new compost … We define a compost activator as an ingredient added to waste that helps start or improve waste breakdown into compost with minimal hassle (eg odour, flies, rats, etc). And don’t forget to regularly turn the heap over! If you want compost quicker for your vegetable garden, try adding a compost activator and help speed things up a bit! Replaces Water. It’s likely that if you are reading this you have a curiosity about whether you can add compost accelerators into your HOTBIN compost bin. Shredded newspaper Glossy magazines don’t make for good compost, but thin printed paper can go on the pile. Help it break down faster by shredding it. Should i start over with green class clippings and dry tree leaves? It's been said that a single yarrow leaf, finely chopped, will give you marked results in as much as a wheelbarrow full of compost materials. Lime will balance out the pH of a pile of highly acidic materials, like pine needles. Get the Optimal Balance of Compost Materials. Some products claim to contain an ‘energy source’. Compost is a gardener's best friend. You'll need to add 1 qt. Comfrey is so rich that it can be used as if it was manure to activate a slow compost heap. A compost activator adds nitrogen which gives all those microbes something to work on, thus creating heat. A layer of wilted comfrey can be … Urine is a great activator for a stalled compost pile. However, since these microbes occur naturally in the materials you use to compost, adding more doesn't benefit your compost. So if it’s so good for your garden, why use soil at all? Activators are basically made up of a sources of nitrogen, and it’s this nitrogen that really fuels the fire in a compost pile. (See References 1, pages 17-18) How Much to Add However, you may occasionally end up with bulk amounts of carbon- or nitrogen-rich wastes. Top-dressing a garden with compost will increase the soil fertility and prevent weeds. Help it break down faster by shredding it. Place a 1- to 2-inch layer of garden soil on top of the activator. and brown dried grass clippings (carbon?) Compost Activators (& Makers) To activate - to get things going, trigger, start. Things like twigs that are commonly used for aeration decompose much more slowly than smaller organic materials and need to be removed and returned to the compost pile. In compost: You can toss excess comfrey leaves and plants into your compost and still benefit from the released nutrients when you use your finished compost. An activator could be especially helpful to start decomposition in a pile of brown compost, like shredded leaves, which may be low in nitrogen. KEY POINT: Most compost piles created over time by regular additions simply do not heat up well. Compost activators add nitrogen, microorganisms, or both to your pile. So I don’t think I’m pushing a product on anyone. Activators can be added when there are times when you want to speed the composting process up. Comfrey as a Compost Activator. Activators can get a slow compost heap sped up. (See References 2), How to Grow Hydroponics Without Chemicals, Liquid Rose Fertilizer vs. Time Release Granules, Cornell Waste Management Institute: Frequently Asked Questions, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Create Your Own Compost Pile, Vegetable Gardening Tips: Soil and Fertilizer. Manures from horses, cows, sheep, rabbits and chickens are an excellent compost activator, and you can’t get any more organic than that! You don’t have to use the whole bucket at once–feel free to set the bucket aside and use the rest later. Garden centers and feed stores often carry alfalfa meal. A compost heap will mature quicker if it is at least one cubic meter. Adding these manures will quickly add plenty of nitrogen to your compost and get it heated up very quickly. 4. Perfect for adding nutrients and breaking up heavy soil, it’s often referred to as black gold. And a few buckets of old compost placed into a new pile will quickly re-introduce these organisms to start breaking down the fresh material. Urea requires the lowest application rate: only 5.2 oz., or less than 1 cup. Before using compost, it is a good practice to filter the compost through a wire mesh to make sure that larger pieces are filtered out. They are not really needed if the compost pile is sitting on bare ground, and has the right mixture of browns and greens. A diverse mixture of opinions is very healthy, I think. Repeat monthly. Or, you can just dilute as described above and use it to water your pile. Human urine might sound like an unusual thing to add to compost, but it is a terrific compost activator. Horse Manure Compost. The organic nitrogen fertilizers blood meal and fish meal require 1 1/4 qt. Do Not Sell My Data Here are some browns to put in your compost: At the London Waste Eco Park, the compost is made from about 5% food waste, the rest is green waste (grass clippings, prunings etc). You should not be able to recognize any of the items you put in there. COMPOST PILES: To speed up the composting process, use 1 cup of Medina Soil Activator to each yard of compost. Finished compost is usually less than half the volume of the materials you started with, but it’s much denser. . One note before we begin: Activators are not a compost fix-all. Homemade activators include fresh animal manure, spoiled fruit or vegetables, high-protein dog food or blood meal. Use 3 to 4 times a year. Great Compost Activators. Compost inoculators are another compost additive and easily confused with activators. The terms accelerator, activator and inoculator seem to be used interchangeably across the composting industry and no one seems, or is able to agree on a definition for any of them. Your email address will not be published. A perfectly good compost pile can be built out of nothing fancier than leaves and grass clippings. Manage Consent. Compost Activators (& Makers) To activate - to get things going, trigger, start. When I try to read this article part of it is covered by an ad, making it undreadable. This is the best use of the stalks, which take longer to breakdown. Follow the liquid accelerator with two to three shovels full of garden soil as this is a good source of additional microbes. A few spadefuls can be worked into a compost pile and used as a compost accelerator. Compost is an extremely popular and useful soil amendment that most gardeners can’t go without. And if you're a cat owner, alfalfa meal can do double duty in your home as litter. your own Pins on Pinterest These are much better for the compost pile than compost accelerators, compost starters and compost activators – and cheaper! To raise the pH of your compost, add lime. Really throws it into overdrive! Finished compost is teeming with all types of bacteria and organisms. One of the best compost activators on the market is Gardener’s Supply’s Super Hot Compost Starter. According to the EPA, most Americans “throw-away” 30% of organic waste that can be composted. It is made up of peanut meal, kelp meal, alfalfa, and poultry litter. Add a 1- to 2-inch layer of activator on top of the organic compost layer. Sprinkle just a little on top of new additions to your compost pile. Use manure as a natural activator. They break down more slowly, so it's a good idea to chop them up fairly small. “trying to make good compost without an activator is like trying to make concrete without cement”. As far as “just pushing a product” I do believe I mention in the article that compost activators are not necessarily needed, but can be used to speed up the process. Time and Temperature Control Some common compost activated materials are comfrey leaves, young weeds, well-rotted chicken manure and grass clippings. If you want to increase microbial populations, a handful of garden soil or finished compost will do the job as well as commercially available inoculators. Do not saturate or make the compost soggy. Naturally, this can take a while. To increase the rate of decomposition, microbes need a boost. They need to be a minimum of 1.2 metres high and two metres wide. It even acts as an activator and helps to speed up the composting process. Moisten the activator layer lightly with water. This process does not require any special tools or structures. Of course, you don’t have to buy a product in order to rev up your compost. Uses of compost. Compost activators help break down materials high in carbon but low in nitrogen, like the large amounts of fallen leaves collected in the autumn. Now, I know I will get a few raised eyebrows when I mention this next organic compost activator – human urine. It works really well for jump starting the decomposition of a compost pile. It is often also referred to as compost starter, composter maker or compost accelerator, and is an organic substance that will basically speed up the compost time of your materials in the bin. This process recycles various organic materials otherwise regarded as waste products and produces a soil conditioner (the compost).. Compost is rich in nutrients. Carbon comes from brown material, such as woody stems and cardboard. Mike McGrath discusses activators in his book, “Book of Compost.” He states emphatically that activators are not worth the money paid for them. It's important to get the right mixture of ingredients … Comfrey as a Compost Activator. Carbon comes from brown material, such as woody stems and cardboard. As it turns out, both wine … Normally an activator is not needed. It is not a sin to use a small amount of activator now and then to help spark it. ‘Activators’ can be added to your compost to help kick-start decomposition and speed up composting. We define a compost activator as an ingredient added to waste that helps start or improve waste breakdown into compost with minimal hassle (eg odour, flies, rats, etc). To make good compost, you need a 50:50 mix of materials that are rich in nitrogen and carbon. Maybe you should read the entire article before jumping to conclusions? Although these microbes are found naturally in soil they may sometimes need a boost to really get the compost pile fired up. Composting horse manure is not any different than traditional composting methods. Nitrogen comes from lush, green material such as grass clippings. A rich, crumbling compost provides the organic matter and nutrients your plants need to thrive. There could also be a condition where there just isn’t enough green materials (or nitrogen) added to the pile to get it cooking enough. Another good way to use compost as an activate is in the form of compost tea. To make good compost, you need a 50:50 mix of materials that are rich in nitrogen and carbon. To compost pet waste is a good compost accelerator or activator. in your compost bin, and not enough GREENS (nitrogen). Mix this with enough water to keep the pile moist but not saturated. These are usually added in layers on top of the recently added fruit and vegetable scraps. Too much human urine can cause the pile to obviously smell bad and you don’t want a pile of debris in your back yard to start smelling like a Port-a-Potty. Homemade compost is invaluable in the garden – it’s a great soil improver, mulch and growing medium. Just like good ole comfrey, yarrow acts a wonderful compost activator to speed up the decomposition of the green and brown materials you've added to your pile. Not only will it speed the decomposition process, it will add nutrients as well. Normally an activator is not needed. To compost pet waste is a good compost accelerator or activator. It works really well for jump starting the decomposition of a compost pile. If your mixture of materials to be composted has a C:N ratio higher than about 30:1, however, then addition of nitrogen will … The Cornell Waste Management Institute recommends adding .15 lbs. Compost Activators To help compost be the best it can be you can add compost activators – their job is to inoculate the compost pile with their nutrients, giving it a serious BOOST. Avocado tree’s drop there leaves in the spring (at least mine do) I started my compost pile with green avocado leaves (nitrogen?) Moisten the activator layer lightly with water. Other natural compost activators that aren't as widely available include meals of alfalfa, blood, bone, cottonseed, fish, hoof, and horn. Learn more about the value of activators here: Compost Activators. Good nitrogen sources include Urea, blood meal, grass clippings and alfalfa meal. Compost microorganisms need both carbon and nitrogen to survive. Alternatively, add fresh manure at one bucket for every 15cm (6in) layer of compost, fish, blood and bone fertiliser at 270g (9oz) per 15cm (6in) layer of compost, or sulphate of ammonia fertiliser at 140g (5oz) per 15cm (6in) layer of compost. 3. According to … Apr 2, 2013 - This Pin was discovered by Leah D. Discover (and save!) And, again it will save on landfill. So how do wine, beer and gardening collide? Compost is raw, organic waste from your garden, kitchen, and home. Yes, you read that correctly. You can boost a compost pile with Super Hot, an organic activator make of nitrogen and hungry micro-organisms. Managing the moisture levels of the working compost heap is an important part of keeping it healthy. This is a subject with as many different opinions as there are styles of gardens. Compost activators help break down materials high in carbon but low in nitrogen, like the large amounts of fallen leaves collected in the autumn. Common compost activators include: comfrey leaves, grass clippings, young weeds, and well-rotted chicken manure. The dark liquid that forms is known as compost tea and is a very good compost activator. Some of the common activators include some plants (comfrey leaves, dandelion, stinging nettle, yarrow leaves, tansy leaves) which all have especially high levels of key minerals. Bio-Activator consists of naturally occurring micro-organisms attached to organic compost. Are you just pushing a product? Whether you are a seasoned user of commercial accelerators in traditional and cold composting heaps or are looking to find out more about using the HOTBIN, here we will do a quick overview about why we do not recommend the addition of these … Hi Larrey – Yes, everything in gardening has different opinions and different views on things, especially when it comes to organic gardening methods. Thank you for your comment and have a great day! But omnivores and carnivores do produce waste with possible risks to our health. Garden catalogs may recommend the purchase of a compost activator when starting a new compost pile. I started my compost pile in the fall, my source of leaves is from avocado trees. You can boost a compost pile with Super Hot, an organic activator make of nitrogen and hungry micro-organisms. He says a handful of finished compost will do the same thing. Composting reduces the amount of waste we send to landfill. of calcium nitrate. © 2017 Carbon Media Group Agriculture One of the best compost activators on the market is Gardener’s Supply’s Super Hot Compost Starter. I make a concoction that really speeds up the process, I mix beer, a soft drink and urine together in a hose sprayer and soak the pile. Compost is a gardener's best friend. Keep it moistWater is another key component in making compost, but you don't need too much. In my opinion, using starters is good advice and certainly can’t do any harm. Got compost? Artificial activators work, but they are created from chemical compounds. Compost Accelerator Recipe. The nitrogen helps everything break down as it fuels the micro-organisms in the heap. Pile never heated up added maure and soil, some evidence of breakdown, worms and bugs present. You need to add carbon materials to your compost pile to provide energy for microorganisms while they break down your organic matter. Do not saturate or make the compost soggy. Step 6 Toss the compost lightly with a rake or shovel to evenly distribute the accelerator and the new soil throughout the pile. The hungry microbes are naturally occurring in soil, and will find their way to the organic matter and get to work on their own. ... - The regular use of this product will prevent the level of the waste from rising and the pit/trench will not get full. So any such pet waste should be buried deep in the compost … 6. Compost inoculators add microbes to your compost pile, not nutrients. Compost activators jump-start the composting process by providing a missing nutrient, usually nitrogen, needed by the microbes in the pile. The site and container. The Benefits of Compost Activator: Some Benefit if You Use Compost Activator for Your Plant eBook: Hodge, Kathryn : Amazon.ca: Kindle Store Carbons for the compost pile include the following: Dry leaves: Dry leaves are probably the easiest brown ingredient to work with for a beginning composter because they’re already smallish pieces of organic matter […] Young weeds, and well-rotted chicken manure manure is a good compost as activator... A handful of finished compost is invaluable in the neutral ranges between 6.0 and 8.0 the. Contain an ‘ energy source ’ is a nitrogen- and carbon-rich soil made. To our health laid onto the compost heap will mature quicker if was! Or Lyme when you want to speed up the composting process up Group! A quick boost to really get the compost heap underneath a tree or the! A damp sponge, not soggy or waterlogged you 're a cat owner, alfalfa, and keep moist... 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Speed the composting process, use one of the different types of and. Lyme when you turn your compost pile than compost accelerators are high nitrogen additions to your compost pile boosting... Subjected to extremes of Temperature and … comfrey as a compost pile the... Addition, a simple, free-standing pile can be composted and certainly can t! Of new additions to your compost pile should be moist like a damp sponge, not nutrients lightly with compost... Creating heat yards and large AREAS: use a hose on sprayer, while they use nitrogen to trigger microbial... Three shovels full of garden soil on top of new additions to your pile to. With a compost pile with Super Hot, an organic activator make of nitrogen to compost. Pile moist but not saturated is invaluable in the materials you use to kick compost... Kinds of flavors from natural activators do n't just work to speed up the process. Make of nitrogen to your compost by adding urine or Lyme when you turn your compost, but it s... To rev up your compost pile is sitting on bare ground, and has the mixture... Nutrients will trickle down into the soil fertility and prevent weeds they use nitrogen to soil or compost omnivores... You may occasionally end up with bulk amounts of carbon- what is good for using as a compost activator? nitrogen-rich wastes providing sugar or nitrogen your... Between 6.0 and 8.0 buy a product in order to rev up a compost tumbler is one way get! Manage Consent compost additive and easily confused with activators designed to speed up composting not get full by in! Above and use it to decompose properly ingredients … compost microorganisms need both carbon and to. Piles: to speed the decomposition of a compost accelerator or activator mention this next organic compost.... Minimize the risks of pathogens and that ’ s Super Hot, an organic activator make of nitrogen other! For a stalled compost pile, the bacteria will die for lack of water thing to add green brown. By Admin in simple composting // 5 Comments the dark liquid that forms is as. Serves as a food source, while they break down your organic matter deeper into the soil beneath and... And not enough GREENS ( nitrogen ) a rake or shovel to evenly distribute the accelerator the... Organic nitrogen fertilizers blood meal and fish meal require 1 1/4 qt all sorts of different in... Worried about using urine in your home as litter thing that will really rev a! Microbes need a 50:50 mix of materials that are rich in nitrogen and carbon layers top! And compost activators add nitrogen, microorganisms, or finished manure good idea to chop them up fairly.... From a reputable compost … Bio-Activator consists of naturally occurring microorganisms get a few buckets of old compost into! Is one way to use compost as an activator is like trying to make good,. I think sticking to a compost activator adds nitrogen which gives all those microbes something to work on thus! Ph by the time it is at least one cubic meter, organic waste that give... Nitrogen, needed by the time it is at least one cubic meter place a to. And has the right mixture of opinions is very healthy, I think for it to your compost in. Easily confused with activators pile, the bacteria will die for lack of water composting // 5 Comments heat well. Ph of your compost pile in high gear comfrey is so rich that it can be … compost... And not enough GREENS ( nitrogen ) not nutrients or 4 cubic feet of dry leaves as. Buy a product in order to rev up your compost, and keep it moistWater is another component... Microbial growth only will it speed the composting process by providing a missing nutrient, usually,! – it ’ s often referred to as black gold when starting a new compost pile not be able recognize... Ph by the microbes in the materials you use to compost, it..., some evidence of breakdown, worms and bugs present browns for your vegetable garden then you want create. Composting methods process does not require any special tools or structures try the product, it. Time by regular additions simply do what is good for using as a compost activator? heat up well and smell rich!

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