Few things reflect the natural renewal cycle as well as the use of different types of organic compost. Thanks to the production of compost, we can recycle many of our organic waste, also obtaining a natural and ecological product that will help our plants to grow more and better.
Do you want to learn more about the different types of composting? So, join us in this Green Ecologist article where you will see a gardening guide on 6 types of compost and their characteristics.
What is compost and what is it for?
Compost is an organic and ecological fertilizer for plants that is produced by organic waste degradation of different types. In other words, when making compost we transform our waste as vegetable remains from the kitchen, or pruning remains from the garden, into a product whose composition allows the plants to absorb their nutrients through the roots, as they are incorporated into the earth.
Plants, especially those that are grown in pots, deplete the nutrients available to them in the soil or substrate and need an extra supply that allows them to continue growing healthy. Using homemade compost is a cheaper alternative than buying synthetic fertilizer or chemical compost and, in addition, it is an ecological and sustainable method. Therefore, we can say that the compost serves to provide more nutrients to the plants.
Learn with this other gardening guide more about organic fertilizers: what they are, types, benefits and how to make them.
Compost types - list
As a summary, we can say that these are the types of ecological compost most used:
- Common compost: pile, surface, composter and industrial.
- Vermicompost or worm castings.
- Bokashi, bocashi compost or Japanese compost.
Common compost and its types
Common compost is understood to be the most common and simple system of make homemade compost. There are different methods in its elaboration, which mainly depend on the way or place in which we stack the organic material so that it decomposes. When making this type of compost it is important to maintain a correct proportion in the different types of waste, which are usually separated between wet and dry or between rich in carbon or rich in nitrogen. If the compost seems too greasy or has strong odors, it most likely contains too much nitrogen-rich residue. On the other hand, if the mixture is too slow to decompose, it is probably due to an excess of carbon-rich materials. These are the different types of common compost:
Common compost in heap
This is one of the methods most used by people who have large gardens or lands. It consists of stacking alternating layers of dry and wet organic materials directly on the ground. The usual thing is to cover the pile with straw or some other similar material, and add water as needed to maintain adequate levels of humidity and heat. It is also necessary to stir the pile regularly to aerate it.
Common surface compost
This is a method that allows the preparation and application of compost in a single process. In it, organic matter is applied directly to the cultivated land, as is done in the green manure or mulching methods. Thus, as microbial life and insects decompose organic matter, nutrients are filtered directly into the soil, enriching it.
Common compost in boxes or composters
It is one of the methods most used by amateurs of gardening or horticulture in a non-professional way. Its main advantage lies in its simplicity, since you only have to acquire one of the many models of composters or composters that exist for sale. These are optimized and usually incorporate instructions for use to make compost making easier.
Industrial compost
There is also industrial compost, which requires facilities with pipes that provide oxygen to the pile of organic matter and extract the carbon dioxide produced, thus greatly accelerating the process.
Now that you know the types of common compost, we recommend you read these other Green Ecologist articles in which you will see guides on How to make homemade compost and How to make homemade organic compost for plants.
Vermicompost or worm castings
Also called earthworm humus, vermicompost is one of the ecological fertilizers with the most beneficial effect for plants and soil properties, both in terms of nutrients and beneficial microbial load. In fact, it is especially useful in microorganisms, which associate with the roots of plants and protect them from pathogenic elements such as fungi and bacteria.
Vermicompost It is made mainly with California red worms, appreciated for their great voracity and their ability to consume practically any organic vegetable residue, except citrus fruits and products of the garlic and onion family.
To obtain it, you only have to acquire some of these worms and a vermicomposter, which can also be made at home without too much trouble. As soon as we begin to provide organic matter, our worms will not take long to multiply and generate vermicompost. Here we tell you everything about How to make worm castings.
Bokashi or Japanese compost
The bokashi or bocashi compost It is a type of compost that has its origin in Japan, which is why it is also known as japanese compost. Rice farmers in this country developed it as a way to use their residues and waste productively for their crops.
Its main advantage compared to common compost is that the decomposition process is very faster. This is thanks to the addition of a culture of microorganisms that is prepared with water, molasses and yeast. In addition, the bokashi also carries chicken manure or avicompost among its ingredients, as well as ash, rice husks and charcoal, although some of these materials are substitutable for others.
In this other Green Ecologist gardening guide you can learn a lot about what bokashi or bocashi compost is and how to do it.
If you want to read more articles similar to Compost types, we recommend that you enter our category of Cultivation and care of plants.
