Boost Your Composting with Fertiliser from enrich360 Dehydrators and Why Now is the Perfect Time to Start
Why are Supermarket fertilisers a No-No? 🙅
Synthetic garden fertilisers pose significant risks to the environment as they reduce soil fertility and structure over time. Overuse of these fertilisers can lead to soil acidification due to their high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus, which lower the soil’s PH levels. This leads to a reduction in crop yields and a serious depletion of the nutritional value of foods.
Additionally, phosphorus runoff can easily leach into soil and water systems, leading to water pollution and harmful algal blooms in nearby bodies of water. This not only disrupts aquatic ecosystems, but can also affect the quality of drinking water.
For humans, exposure to high levels of synthetic fertilisers can cause skin irritation, respiratory issues and other health problems. As there is a growing awareness of the negative implications of synthetic products, many are looking for ‘low-tox’ alternatives, such as composting. Composting can eliminate these environmental and health risks while still providing plants with the nutrients they need.
What is Composting?
Composting is a natural process of recycling organic matter, such as food scraps, yard trimmings and other biodegradable materials, into a nutrient-rich soil amendment known as compost. This process involves the breakdown of organic materials by microorganisms (such as bacteria and fungi) and other decomposers (such as worms and insects).
Composting can be done in a controlled environment, like a compost bin or pile, where the conditions (such as temperature, moisture and airflow) can be managed to optimise the decomposition process.
Here are the key elements of composting:
- Organic Materials: Composting requires a mix of "greens" (nitrogen-rich materials like food scraps and grass clippings) and "browns" (carbon-rich materials like dried leaves and cardboard).
- Moisture: Compost needs to be kept moist, like a wrung-out sponge, to support the activity of microorganisms.
- Airflow: Turning the compost regularly helps introduce oxygen, which is essential for the decomposition process.
- Heat: Composting generates heat through the activity of microorganisms breaking down the organic matter. Proper heat levels help speed up the process and kill weed seeds and pathogens.
- Time: Composting can take a few weeks to several months, depending on the materials and conditions.
The resulting compost is a dark, crumbly substance that is rich in nutrients and beneficial for soil health. It can be used to improve soil fertility, retain moisture and suppress plant diseases and pests.
Supercharge Your Compost with the Fertiliser from enrich360 Dehydrators
The byproduct created by the enrich360 dehydrators goes beyond typical composting materials. It is a dry, lightweight and dirt-like composition of the food that has been put into the machine; but don’t be deceived, it’s packed-full of nutrients!
Because the food is broken down at high temperatures, the soil amendment produced by these innovative machines is completely sterile and pathogen-free, making it safe to handle.
This byproduct can therefore be used to enhance your existing compost pile or serve as the foundation for a new one. The best part? Whether you're experienced in composting or just starting out, your enrich360 soil amendment will easily integrate into any method you prefer.
Establishing Your Compost Base
When building your compost pile, keep in mind that size is crucial. Aim for a pile of roughly 120 litres in volume (about 4 cubic feet) to foster sufficient microbial activity and heat production.
Start with approximately 2.25 kg (5 lbs) of your soil amendment—your go-to composting ingredient. This addition helps everything blend well. Incorporate fresh or dry yard trimmings and leaves (known as browns!) to add volume to your pile and provide a carbon boost.
💡 Tip: Now is the perfect time to start! Collect fallen Autumn leaves for your compost. Store them away and you'll have a consistent supply of browns throughout the year!
Composting Essentials
Ready to jump in? Here's what you'll need:
- A 20 litre bucket for collecting waste
- A watering can for managing moisture
- Your 2.25 kgs of soil amendment
Brown feedstocks like dried leaves
- Mix your soil amendment with 30 litres of garden soil or compost to create an inoculant. This will introduce beneficial microbes to your compost pile, providing it with a robust start.
Balancing enrich360 Fertiliser Proportions
Now comes the fun part… layering!
Alternate your food scraps with browns and lightly moisten each layer.
The following ratios have been tried and tested for both vegetarian (no animal proteins) and omnivorous options (a mix of plant and animal proteins). It's crucial to distinguish between the two as animal proteins contain more nitrogen, impacting the chemical equilibrium of your compost.
Here’s a concise parts-ratio guide for composting with fertiliser from your enrich360 dehydrator, based on different diets and feedstocks:
Fresh Yard Trimmings
Dry Yard Trimmings
Cardboard and Fresh Yard Trimmings
Cardboard and Fresh Yard Trimmings
Maintaining a Healthy Compost Pile
Consistently Add Foodilizer
Once your compost base is established, continue adding your soil amendment each week. The average household can generate around 0.45 kg (0.7 litres) of soil amendment weekly, which can be safely incorporated into your compost. Ensure you're balancing it out with extra browns to uphold the crucial carbon-to-nitrogen ratio.
Keep an Eye on Moisture
Stay on top of your compost's moisture levels using the squeeze test. Grab a handful and squeeze—if it feels overly wet, add more browns; if it's too dry, introduce some water.
Turn and Aerate
Rotate your compost every 2-3 weeks to promote optimal airflow. Use a shovel or pitchfork to mix the contents for a few seconds.
Achieving Composting Success: Final Steps
After around two months, add in layers of browns equal to the initial volume you used to start the pile. Mix well and allow nature to work its wonders; this will help to uphold the correct C:N ratio. After three months, give your compost a rest for a month or two. Then, you'll be ready to utilise your nutrient-rich compost in your garden.
By adhering to these guidelines, you can establish an effective and sustainable composting system your enrich360 dehydrator and its impressive by-product. Enjoy nourishing your garden with your own compost creation and harvesting nutrient-packed food, all-the-while significantly reducing your contribution to landfill!
