Hobbies And Interests
Composting History
Composting is not a modern idea. Romans, Greeks and Israeli Tribes composted long ago. Sacred texts such as the Bible and Talmud reference using rotted manure and straw. Native Americans and early Americans made use of food scraps to feed their gardens. Sir Albert Howard, a British agronomist, came up with the most commonly used hot composting method in the early 1900s. Many different composting methods were used in history.
Hot Composting
Hot composting is the most well known composting method. The middle of the compost is usually 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit despite outside ambient temperatures, and so considered hot. These temperatures attract thermophilic microbial life to do the decomposing. Meats, fats, eggs and dairy should not be added to the compost pile which attract pests, smell and slow down the process. Oxygen and water are required for it to work, usually in eight to 12 weeks.
Vermiculture Composting
Vermiculture composting depends on the digestive system of worms to break down food scraps, most commonly red wigglers -- Eisenia fetida. Worms are kept in a bin with a carbon-based bedding material. They are fed food scraps, decomposing the scraps entirely, and produce castings which are similar to soil. It is not common to add yard or garden waste. Again, meats, fats, eggs and dairy should not be added to vermiculture composting due to smell and pest issues. Oxygen, moisture and darkness are required.
Bokashi Composting
Bokashi means "fermented matter" in Japanese and was first utilized in Japan. It is an anaerobic -- lacking oxygen -- fermentation process that breaks down matter in about four to six weeks. A "starter" of a specific microorganism must be added to the first batch. Bokashi is a two-step method: collecting food in an oxygen free setting, usually inside, and then letting nature decompose the rest outside, underground. Unlike in the other methods mentioned, proteins and fats can be added to Bokashi compost.
Comparing Compost Method Yields
Hot composting produces the most well known compost which is dark in color, earthy smelling and contains some wood or plant scraps; liquid is not produced in much quantity. Vermiculture composting produces worm castings which are very dark and do not contain scraps. Leachate -- liquid or "compost tea" -- is produced which can be watered down to use as fertilizer. Bokashi compost is very acidic when first exposed from its second step. It also produces a leachate during the first stage which is more potent than Vermiculture leachate.