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Vida Circular
composting-kitchen
Published in: Circular Economy

What is a compost?

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Published on:
3 min of reading
Compost is the result of a natural process where organic remains, such as food and vegetable waste, decompose and become a nutrient-rich fertilizer. In this process, microorganisms, fungi and small animals such as earthworms play a crucial role, as they are in charge of decomposing these materials, transforming them into a dark, fertile soil, known as "humus."

What is compost used for?

Compost is mainly used to enrich the soil, improve its structure and provide essential nutrients to plants. It is an environmentally friendly option that replaces chemical fertilizers, reducing dependence on synthetic products and promoting crop health. In addition, by separating organic waste organic waste that would otherwise end up in landfills, it also helps to reduce our carbon footprint and better manage our waste.

Benefits of composting

Compost offers multiple benefits that impact both the soil and the environment. Here I explain some of them in more detail:

  • Improves soil fertility: As it decomposes, compost releases essential nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, which are essential for plant growth. These nutrients are absorbed naturally, improving soil quality without the need for artificial additives. It is like giving a natural "boost" to the soil.
  • Reduces the need for chemical fertilizers: Thanks to composting, the dependence on chemical products in agriculture or gardening is reduced. This is not only healthier for the soil and plants, but also for the environment, as it avoids pollution from the excessive use of synthetic fertilizers that can damage nearby ecosystems.
  • Promotes water retention: One of the great benefits of adding compost to the soil is that it improves its ability to retain water. This means that the soil stays moist longer, which reduces the frequency of irrigation. In dry areas or during hot seasons, this feature is invaluable, as it helps conserve water and keep plants healthy longer.
  • Promotes biodiversity: Compost creates an ideal environment for microorganisms and small organisms that are beneficial to the soil, such as earthworms, bacteria and fungi. These living things further decompose organic matter, enriching the soil and promoting a healthy, balanced ecosystem.
  • Helps reduce waste: By using organic waste such as food scraps or garden prunings to make compost, we reduce the amount of garbage that goes to landfills. This not only reduces the amount of solid waste we generate, but also helps reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that this waste could produce as it decomposes in uncontrolled conditions.

Types of compost

There are different ways to make compost, and each method has its own characteristics, depending on the material used and the time you want to dedicate to the process. Here are some of the most common types:

This is the simplest and slowest method. Basically, you add the organic waste gradually without worrying too much about the process. It is ideal if you don't have a lot of time to dedicate to it. Decomposition takes longer, but does not require much effort. You just need to be patient, as it can take several months or even more than a year to be ready.

If you're looking for faster results, hot composting is the way to go. This method requires accumulating a larger amount of organic material at the same time, which generates heat inside the pile and speeds up the decomposition process. To maintain heat and microorganism activity, it is important to turn the pile regularly and maintain a good balance between wet and dry materials. This method will allow you to have compost ready in a few months.

Here the protagonists are the red worms, which are responsible for decomposing organic waste and transforming it into humus of excellent quality. It is ideal if you have little space, since you can do it in a small container, even indoors. Californian red worms are the most commonly used in this type of composting. In addition to being efficient, vermicomposting produces a high quality compost, rich in nutrients and with a perfect texture for your plants.

This method is the most basic of all, as it simply consists of spreading the organic waste directly on the soil. As the material decomposes, it integrates into the soil naturally, without the need to turn it over or maintain a pile. It is ideal for gardeners who prefer a low-maintenance technique, but keep in mind that it may take a little longer to fully decompose.

Each type of composting has its advantages, and the choice will depend on how much time, space and dedication you are willing to invest. Whether you opt for a slow and easy process or a more active and fast one, the important thing is that you are contributing to a natural and sustainable cycle that benefits both your garden and the environment.
Compost-house

What materials can be added to a compost?

One of the key aspects of making your compost work well is knowing what materials you can and should add. The right mix of organic ingredients ensures that the decomposition process occurs efficiently and quickly. Basically, there are two types of materials you need: green materials and brown materials, each with an important role in nutrient balance.

Green materials (nitrogen-rich)

Green materials are those that provide nitrogen, an essential element that helps microorganisms break down organic matter faster. These materials are usually moist and fresh:

  • Fruit and vegetable scraps (banana peels, carrot trimmings, avocado peels, etc.)
  • Freshly cut grass clippings
  • Coffee grounds
  • Tea bags (without staples or synthetic elements)
  • Crushed egg shells
  • Remains of fresh plants and flowers
  • Manure from herbivorous animals (such as cows, horses, chickens or rabbits)

 

Brown materials (rich in carbon)

Brown materials provide carbon, which is the "fuel" for microorganisms. These materials tend to be drier and help balance moisture in the compost:

  • Dried leaves
  • Small branches and twigs
  • Straw and hay
  • Untreated cardboard and paper (without inks, adhesives or plastics)
  • Sawdust or untreated wood chips
  • Nut shells
  • Natural fibers such as cotton or linen (as long as they do not contain synthetic products)

 

What NOT to add

Although many things are compostable, there are certain materials you should avoid, as they can attract pests, cause odors or simply do not decompose well.

  • Meat, fish and dairy products
  • Oils and fats
  • Pet feces (especially dog and cat feces)
  • Diseased or infested plants
  • Products treated with pesticides or herbicides
  • Synthetic materials such as plastics, metals, or synthetic fabrics

 

Balance is key

Good compost requires a balance between these green and brown materials. If your compost pile has too many green materials, it can become very wet and smelly. If, on the other hand, it has too many brown materials, it can dry out and decompose very slowly. Ideally, alternate layers of both types of materials and make sure to maintain good aeration and moisture to keep the process running smoothly.

what-can-be-added-to-a-compost

How to make a compost?

Creating a compost at home is easier than it sounds, and you only need to follow a few basic steps. Best of all, you can adapt it to your space, whether it's a large garden, a small yard or even indoors if you opt for a vermicompost. Here's how to do it step by step:

  1. Choosing the right garbage can: The first step is to decide where you are going to make your compost. If you have outdoor space, you can simply designate a corner of the garden to accumulate the waste. There are also specialized composters, which are containers designed specifically for this purpose, that can help you better control the process. If you don't have a garden, don't worry, you can also make a vermicompost in a small container indoors.
  2. Add layers of materials: The key to good composting is to alternate layers of dry and wet materials. Dry materials include leaves, small branches or straw, while wet materials are kitchen scraps such as fruit peels, vegetable trimmings or even grass clippings. This balance between carbon-rich (dry) and nitrogen-rich (wet) materials is critical for decomposition to occur efficiently.
  3. Maintain moisture: The compost needs to be moist for the microorganisms and worms to do their work, but it should not be waterlogged either. A simple trick is that the compost should have the consistency of a wrung-out sponge. If you notice that it is too dry, simply add a little water, and if it is too wet, you can add more dry materials to balance it out.
  4. Aerate the compost: To prevent compaction and uniform decomposition of the materials, it is important to turn the compost pile every so often. This ensures that oxygen reaches all corners, which speeds up decomposition and prevents bad odors. In the case of vermicomposting, it is not necessary to aerate, as the worms take care of moving the materials for you.
  5. Be patient and wait: Depending on the method you choose and the type of compost you are making, the process can take anywhere from a couple of months to a year. Hot compost is usually ready in less time, while cold and surface compost take longer. With vermicompost, the process is relatively quick, and you'll get high-quality humus in a matter of weeks.

Composting is not only an effective way to manage your organic waste, but it's also a way to create your own natural fertilizer to improve your garden soil or potting soil. Each type of composting has its own pace and needs, so choose the method that best suits your lifestyle and space.

How to solve common composting problems

Composting is a simple process, but sometimes there can be a few hiccups that affect its development. The good news is that most of these problems have quick and easy solutions. Here's how to identify and solve the most common problems you might encounter with both traditional composting and vermicomposting.

If your compost starts to give off bad odors, it is probably due to excess moisture or lack of oxygen. This happens when the pile becomes too compacted or when the waste decomposes anaerobically (without air).

Solution: The first thing is to turn the pile over to aerate it. If you notice that it is too wet, add dry materials such as leaves, straw or cardboard. These will help absorb excess moisture and maintain balance. In vermicomposting, be sure not to overfeed the worms, as too much fresh waste can generate bad odors.

If your compost seems stagnant and does not decompose, it is probably too dry. Lack of moisture slows down the decomposition process, because microorganisms and worms need a moist environment to work effectively.

Solution: Add water gradually until the pile has a wet, but not soggy, consistency. You can also add more fresh, moist scraps, such as fruit peels or vegetable trimmings. In vermicomposting, make sure the substrate is always slightly moist so that the worms can move around and do their work.

If you start to notice mice, unwanted insects or even other animals, you are probably adding inappropriate food scraps, such as meats, dairy or oils, which can attract pests.

Solution: Avoid adding animal scraps such as meats, bones or dairy products. Also, always cover food scraps with a layer of dry material, such as leaves or straw, to avoid attracting pests. In vermicomposting, follow the same rule: only add vegetable waste and make sure the compost bin is tightly closed.

If you notice that your compost pile is not generating heat, indicating slow or no activity, it is probably lacking nitrogen-rich green materials, or the moisture is not sufficient. The microbial activity that generates heat needs this balance to function properly.

Solution: Add more green materials, such as fruit scraps, vegetables or fresh grass, which provide the nitrogen needed to activate the process. Also check that the humidity is adequate; if the pile is too dry, add a little water to reactivate decomposition. In vermicomposting, don't expect the process to be "hot," as the worms work at lower temperatures, but make sure they have enough food and moisture to stay active.

These simple adjustments will help keep your compost or vermicompost running efficiently. Remember that, like everything in nature, the process takes time and needs a proper balance of materials, moisture and oxygen. With patience and some basic care, you will obtain an excellent quality compost for your plants.

Conclusion on what is composting

At the end of the day, composting is much more than simply managing your organic waste; it's a way to connect with the natural cycle of life. Turning food scraps and plant material into something as valuable as humus is a simple act that has a profound impact. It allows you to reduce the waste you generate, enrich the soil you walk on and, in a way, give back to nature what it has given you.

By composting, you are not only taking care of your garden or orchard gardenyou are also contributing to a more sustainable planet and leaving a positive footprint. It's a small gesture that, in the grand scheme of things, makes a big difference. So why not get started? Every fruit peel or dried leaf is an opportunity to give something back to the earth.

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