The Complete Handbook of Composting

Chapter 1: Understanding Composting

Composting is the managed, accelerated decomposition of organic matter by microorganisms. While the term is often used loosely to describe any rotting pile, real composting is a controlled process where you manipulate the environment to favor specific biological activity. The goal is not simply to let things decay; it is to drive a microbial ecosystem to a state of high activity that transforms unstable, raw organic materials into a stable, humus-like substance called compost. This product can be used to improve soil without the negative side effects of raw organics, such as nitrogen drawdown or phytotoxicity.

To understand composting, you must first abandon the idea that it is a simple "put it in a pile and wait" activity. That is passive decomposition, which is a mostly anaerobic process. Anaerobic decomposition, one that occurs without oxygen, produces methane, hydrogen sulfide, and organic acids. These compounds are responsible for the foul odors associated with rotting vegetation or a poorly managed dump. In contrast, a managed compost pile is an aerobic system. It requires oxygen, and when operating correctly, it produces only heat, carbon dioxide, and water vapor as metabolic byproducts. A well-run compost pile has a neutral or earthy smell, not a sour or putrid one.

The entire process hinges on a single, adaptable community of life: bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes. These are the primary workers. They are accompanied by a larger, secondary fauna of mites, springtails, and earthworms that physically shred material, increasing the surface area for