Science Forums 2

[mavrickjohn]

Michaelangelica I'm not very familiar about what is available in the land of Oz where you are but I can give you some pointers on compost. Use a ratio of 1/3 brown matter(leaves, dead weeds, brush or wood chips. Use 1/4 amount if using chips the smaller the better.) 1/3 green matter.(grass trimmings, green leaves, or freshwater plants, eludia, coon tail or try others.) and last 1/3 soil I sift and grind mine to 1/4 in. max. Now mix the parts together well and build the pile. Landscapers are a good source of raw materials. When you build the pile use plenty of water. I use 3gal. per 21gal. of mixed material. When it's finished cover with a plastic tarp and an old quilt or comforter over that. Being as how you are in a hot climate build the pile on the north side of a building but not against the building or in the shade of trees. The plastic tarp covering the pile can be held down with soil or rocks but don't seal the tarp or the pile will go anaerobic. In about 10 days the heating should be finished and the compost ready to use or stock pile. Adding fish emulsion, dried kelp meal, green sand, granite dust, or alfalfa meal can make the compost richer. And don't forget the bio-char. This compost will be more like great top soil rather than compost. Use it straight or work in to your soil. Great stuff.