Compost and Mulch

they break down the cellular materials, or digest it like your stomach digests food. this is the way a cow digests grass, they release heat and make nitrogen and carbon dioxide and use oxygen just like people do when they breathe, and their metabolism generates heat and carbon dioxide. :) yeast cells ferment when bread is made, they eat sugars in the bread dough and make alcohol, this causes the bread to rise from the carbon dioxide that is released, also bacteria in septic tanks yeast and enzymes also digest the paper and fecal matter, methane gas is generated, and heat is released, this is known as an exothermic reaction, which generates heat in the chemical reaction, the opposite of an endo thermic reaction where heat is needed to sustain the chemical reaction, such as sugar in iced tea, if the sugar is put in the hot tea it disolves rapidly, whereas it just lies there in the bottom of the glass when the tea is cold. :)

Moisture needs to be at 60-85%. Compostable material shouldn't be soggy or sopping wet. A 21"x15"x16" container could hold a week's worth of newspapers and 3-5 lbs of kitchen scraps. It wouldn't need more than a quart-sized watering container. The material needs to be moist, not soggy or sopping wet.

That it is considered a brown-colored, carbon-rich recyclable is a reason why compost rich in cellulose is likely to be poor in nitrogen. Dark-colored, fresh-smelling, nutrient-rich organic matter called compost or humus originates in and possesses carbon and nitrogen from respectively brown-colored, dead, decaying, dying and green-colored, living recyclables. The chemical formula for cellulose reveals contributions from carbon, hydrogen and oxygen: C6H10O5.

Oxygen can accelerate decay by enhancing the growth of aerobic bacteria and fungi that break down organic matter. This process is known as aerobic decomposition. Oxygen acts as a catalyst in this process by boosting the metabolic activity of these organisms, leading to faster decay of the material.

Some basic gardening tools include a trowel, a hand fork, pruning shears, and a garden hoe. These tools are essential for planting, weeding, pruning, and cultivating soil in a garden.

Yes, proteins can be composted. However, they decompose more slowly compared to other organic materials due to their complex structure. It is recommended to balance protein-rich materials with carbon-rich materials in the compost pile to facilitate decomposition.

Alternating layers of properly aerated and moistened carbon- and nitrogen-rich recyclables is the need that microbes have to build compost heaps. Dark-colored, fresh-smelling, nutrient-rich organic matter called compost or humus results from the consumption and excretion of dead, decaying, dying or living animal and plant matter by macro- and micro-organisms. The alternating brown- and green-colored layers will have to be turned at least once a week and supplementally watered to the consistency of a wrung-out sponge to prevent mildew, mold or wildfire and to support the temperature levels that befit proper composting.

Alternating layers of carbon- and nitrogen-rich materials, checking heat and moisture levels, and turning layers daily or weekly are the steps in making compost. The materials previously must be divided into smaller sizes since composting proceeds fastest with less extensive and unwieldy surfaces and with frequent ventilating of the container's or heap's contents.

During composting, the microorganisms in the compost pile break down the organic matter, including carbon, into simpler compounds like carbon dioxide, water, and humus. This process releases carbon back into the environment in the form of carbon dioxide, which can then be used by plants for photosynthesis.

Support for micro-organisms and soil food webs are reasons why water is necessary in compost. In the first case, the support is critical to produce dark-colored, fresh-smelling, nutrient-rich organic matter whereas in the second roots and underground organisms require adequate drainage, infiltration, and percolation in order for nutrients to be solubly accessible and available.

Heat helps to break down organic materials in the compost pile faster by speeding up the decomposition process. The heat generated during composting also helps to kill off weed seeds and pathogens present in the material. Additionally, the heat is an indicator that the microbial activity in the compost pile is at an optimal level for decomposition.

Composting is a proven method and is no longer a hypothesis.

The concept is that if organic materials are left together with the proper ratio of nitrogen to carbon, then the microscopic life will begin devouring the substance of the organic waste and as the food chain develops the waste turns to soil.

Compost steams because of the microbial activity breaking down organic matter. As microorganisms decompose the materials, heat is generated as a byproduct, causing the compost pile to emit steam when the temperature rises. This process is known as thermophilic composting.

Yes, both the rise in temperature and humidity in a compost bin are typically caused by the decomposition process. As organic materials break down, they release heat which raises the temperature inside the bin. This process also releases moisture, increasing humidity levels.

Oxygen is the gas that is needed for a compost heap. A compost heap serves as an example of aerobic breakdown through the interactions of air, heat, light, and moisture with carbon- and nitrogen-rich organic materials being broken down by beneficial bacteria and fungi. Without air, the breakdown will become the anaerobic decomposition which occurs in landfills and which releases greenhouse gases.

Mulch itself does not produce CO2. Instead, when organic mulch decomposes, it releases small amounts of CO2 as a byproduct of the natural decomposition process. The amount of CO2 released will depend on factors such as the type of mulch, its thickness, and environmental conditions.

Mulch provides a moist and organic environment that can promote fungal growth. When mulch is too thick or too wet, it creates a breeding ground for fungi to thrive. Additionally, using contaminated mulch or introducing fungal spores from surrounding areas can also lead to fungal growth in mulch.

Soil needs lime to adjust its pH level and make it less acidic. Lime also provides essential nutrients like calcium and magnesium that are necessary for plant growth. Additionally, lime can improve soil structure and increase the availability of other nutrients in the soil.

You cannot grow plants in sawdust because plants do not and will not grow in wood. They need top soil. Actually you can grow plants in sawdust, wood chips, gravel or polystyrene beads if you wish using a system called Hydroponics. The sawdust etc are just there as an inert substance to support the root structure of the plant, while all its nutrient requirements are added to its water supply. This system is used commerically for growing many plants, including tomatoes. It has the advantages of being totally controllable and the inert growing mediums can be rendered disease free.

You would need 1,260 cubic feet of mulch to cover an area of 28 x 45 feet. This is calculated by multiplying the length (28 ft) by the width (45 ft) to get the total square footage (1,260 sq ft) and then multiplying by the desired depth of mulch.

Matter compiled in the bin will decompose into compost provided the conditions are met for a healthy Eco-system to develop in the materials. The matter should have a healthy ratio of green to brown materials. The living materials contain microscopic organisms which struggle to survive within the soil.

The matter is recycled in the compost bin as the microscopic organisms evolve into more advanced, larger scale critters. They feast on the composting materials and propagate their race inside your Eco-system, i.et Your compost bin. As the materials pass through the insects body the materials become healthy soil.

Biochar is basically charcoal. It can be made from almost any biological substance rich in carbon, such as wood, straw, various kinds of plant material, compost and so on. It is usually made from wood because wood has a structure with various sized holes in it, mostly for conducting water or sap in the tree, and these form places where micro flora can live. When biochar is made, it is not processed at a high temperature, so the physical structure of the wood is not lost.

Biochar benefits the soil by providing places for micro flora to life, holding water, and holding various nutrients to prevent them from washing away. The nutrients and water are available to plants with roots in or near the biochar, so it provides fertility to the soil.

Biochar also has the benefit of providing for carbon sequestration, which is valuable for taking carbon dioxide out of the air and helping with global warming.

Soil with biochar added is called terra preta.