The Different Types of Compost: How to Make Compost Jenny Graham, January 4, 2024January 3, 2024 When it comes to the different types of compost there are several to consider for use in the vegetable garden. Here, we will cover the different types of compost such as: organic matter compost, farmyard manure, green manure, vermicomposting, and mushroom compost. Additionally, we will learn the composting process and different methods of composting organic materials. The Different Types of Compost Not all of the different types of composts are created equal. Compost can be made from a wide range of organic materials. However, they are all often referred to as black gold. Organic Matter Compost Organic matter compost can be made of kitchen scraps, wood chips, leaves, grass clippings, and other green materials that are broken down into fertile garden soil. Farmyard Manure Farmyard manure is one of the different types of compost. It can be rotted down and aged to use as compost. Caution must be taken with animal manure, like chicken manure, so it is composted properly, for the appropriate amount of time. It also must be free of persistent herbicides. Green Manure & Cover Crops Cover crops, also known as green manure is one of the different types of compost. Many gardeners will use cover crops as a chop and drop crop between growing seasons. Green manure can be left to decompose right in place in the vegetable garden. Vermicomposting Vermicompost is created when worms, especially red wigglers, are used to break down organic materials, such as food scraps. The final product is a nutrient rich compost full of worm castings, which will help build soil in your garden beds. Mushroom Compost Mushroom compost is also one of the different types of compost worth a mention. It is basically a waste product of mushroom farming. After mushrooms are harvested, it can still be used as a soil amendment or plant fertilizer. It has quickly become a favorite of many home vegetable gardeners. The Composting Process & Methods Now that we have covered the different types of compost, lets talk different composting methods. Just do me a favor and don’t get analysis paralysis and get stuck. The composting process for the different types of compost helps create the ideal environment to break down organic matter to use as an organic fertilizer for your garden beds. Pick a method that seems simple and easy enough for you to implement and just get to composting. The Different Composting Methods In a nutshell, there are five different types of composting: Aerobic, Anaerobic, Direct, Vermicomposting, and EMO composting. Let’s break it down, shall we? Aerobic Decomposition of Organic Materials The aerobic decomposition of organic materials creates the perfect environment for organic matter to break down quickly. For this composting process to work you need the appropriate ratio of green materials to brown materials. A good rule of thumb is 2-3 parts brown to 1 part green. Along with your green and brown ingredients you’ll need oxygen, water, and a little time. Nitrogen Rich Green Organic Materials For Composting Farmyard manure, like chicken manure or cow manure Grass clippings Green landscape trimmings Coffee grounds Kitchen waste, vegetable or fruit scraps Egg shells Green garden waste Carbon Rich Brown Waste for Composting Fallen or dead leaves Chipped branches or Yard Waste Straw Sawdust Paper & Composting Paper Plates Cardboard Shredded mulch vs bark Different Composting Methods That Are Aerobic With the right combination of greens, browns, water, and oxygen some of these aerobic composting methods can give you finished, organic fertilizer in less than 30 days. Every compost pile is different so some may take up to three months to completely break down. Aerobic composting is also known as hot composting or a hot pile. The high temperatures in a pile helps to kill grass and weed seeds, harmful bacteria, and speeds up the decomposition process. In order for a pile to reach these higher temperatures, the ideal size is a large pile, at least one cubic yard or 3x3x3ft. Aerated Static Pile Composting This method of composting is a no turn method, due to the oxygen that is pumped into the center of the compost pile. These compost piles are often built on top of aerated PVC pipes attached to an air pump. The pile simply sits and cooks, giving finished compost in about 30 days. You can check out my aerated Static pile experiment below. Windrow Composting of Organic Materials This method of composting is rows of long piles turned periodically. This is often done on a larger scale with heavy equipment. Open Air Composting of Organic Matter This method of composting does not use a container. Your compost pile is built directly on the ground and turned periodically by hand. It is probably the simplest form of composting. Tumbler Composting of Organic Materials In more recent years, the tumbler composter has become popular. I think it’s popular because it completely contains your compost and gives an easy way to turn your compost pile with the tumbler. Compost Bin (In-vessel Composting) As for my farm, finding a compost bin that functioned well was a game changer for us. Having a compost bin helps to contain your ingredients in a more controlled environment. It helps the pile retain moisture and can help keep critters and chickens out. The compost pile can be turned easily by moving the pile from one side of the bin to the other. We use an extra large freezer, build the pile on one side, then flip it to the other. Vermicomposting Your Food Waste Do you need a way to compost in a small space? Try your hand at vermicomposting. Setting up worm farms is easy and a great way to dispose of kitchen scraps while creating nutrient rich worm castings for your plants and vegetable garden. Not only will worm castings feed your plants but they are also known to greatly improve soil structure and soil fertility. You’ll also have the added benefit of using worm castings to make worm tea. Anaerobic Composting The anaerobic method of composting does not use oxygen or heat to break down the organic matter. This makes anaerobic composting a much slower process as it takes a long time for organic materials to properly break down. Since anaerobic composting is cold composting, it must be allowed to sit for an extended amount of time to breakdown biomass. This also gives time for harmful pathogens to die. Anaerobic Composting With Swamp Water-This method of composting was made popular by Korean Natural Farming Methods. Simply put, it is a large bucket of water, sometimes a 55 gallon drum, to which all kinds of spent plant matter, blood meal, animal manure, fish emulsion, and really any organic matter can be submerged and left to decompose in the water. The anaerobic conditions really make it stink! Once rotted down and strained, the water can be used as a fertilizer for your plants. Trench Composting Organic Materials- This method of composting only requires some empty garden space. Organic materials, like kitchen scraps can be added directly to a trench in the garden, covered up, and left to rot. Once rotted down it will feed the surrounding plants with nutrients. Direct Composting of Organic Matter Direct composting is simple. You can add things like grass or lawn clippings, which are full of nitrogen, directly to the top of the soil like a mulch around your plants. Overtime it will slowly feed the soil and plants while suppressing weed growth as well. Bokashi or EMO Composting Your Food Scraps Also known as Effective Microorganism Composting, Bokashi is generally used indoors as a way to compost on a small scale. To get started you’ll need a bokashi bin and bokashi bran or EMO. The process is simple: Add food scraps to your bokashi bin Top off with bokashi bran Layer kitchen scraps and bokashi bran in the bucket until it’s full Top off with Bokashi bran Place an airtight lid on the container Every few days drain off the liquid that is created as your scraps break down After a couple weeks you can bury the fermented and broken down matter in your garden Plant right on top of it so it can continually feed your plants FAQs How Do You Build A Compost Pile? Building your own compost pile can be done directly on the ground or in a compost bin. Layer your green and brown ingredients (roughly 2-3 browns to 1 green). Water each layer, without soaking it. Continue with your layers until you build a compost pile that is one cubic yard or 3x3x3ft. Insert a compost thermometer in the pile. Once your temperature has reached 130-150*F for a few days go ahead and turn your pile. Follow this procedure until your pile is not cooking any longer and smells earthy and sweet. At this point, your homemade compost is ready to use. What Other Organic Materials Can You Use to Create Compost? Not only can you use all the traditional green and brown materials to make compost, you can also compost anything that was once alive. While some of these organic materials may take more time to decompose and may smell much worse than others, they are still able to be used in making compost. Can you Compost Raw Meat? Was it once alive? Then yes, you can compost it. However, raw meat can attract rodents, it’s going to stink, and create harmful bacteria within your compost pile. Raw meat must be composted over a longer period of time, preferably in a hot pile to kill harmful bacteria. While it can be done, it may not be for everyone. It’s not recommended for the beginner composter. What Are the Four Types of Compost? The four main types of compost are: compost, green manure, farmyard manure, and vermicomposting. What Type of Compost is Best? The best compost for a vegetable garden is a well-balanced compost made from a mix of organic materials (green and brown materials). It should be a nutrient-rich compost that is dark, crumbly, and have a rich, sweet, earthy smell. What Are the Three Main Ingredients of Composting? The three necessary ingredients of composting are nitrogen rich greens, carbon rich browns, and water. Furthermore aerobic composting also requires oxygen. The Different Types of Compost & Home Composting Methods Now that we have covered the different types of compost and ways to compost at home let’s get busy building a compost pile to make some nutrient rich, organic fertilizer for our vegetable gardens. Happy Homesteading & Composting, Jenny @ The GrahamStead Family Farm Jenny and her family have been homesteading for over 20 years. They are currently farming on their 10 acre Florida farm, that they built from the ground up, 8 years ago, growing 100% of their meat and a lot of their vegetables. From their small herd of Aberdeen Angus Cattle, Pastured Poultry, Sheep, and seasonal pigs, they are able to raise enough meat for the family while selling extra to the community. All the while, striving to butcher at home, as much as possible, and use the bits and pieces of their harvest by preserving food, making bone broth, and (Jenny’s favorite) tanning all kinds of hides! Sources: https://www.nrdc.org/stories/composting-101#whatis Composting Homesteading