Question: what horizon contains the organic matter that we're concerned with in our garden?

Topsoil or A horizon 1. Soil Profile a) topsoil b) organic c) subsoil d) transition 2. Compacted soils (zones) a) Probing the soil with a knife or penicl will help show areas of compaction b) they tend to have large clods which dont break up easily c) Absence of vertical cracks d) shallow rooting 3. Clodsa) large clods with smooth surfaces indicate poor structure b) small clods with irregular surfaces (soil crubs) indicate good structure c) No consilidatio into clods is sign of poor soil or sandy soil 4. Cracks a) Cracks contain air for roots air for soil organisms allow drainage provide channels for new root growth b) Presence of Horizontal cracks along with a lack of vertical cracks are an indication of compaction 5. Biological Activitya) Poor structure inhibits bio activity. Numerous earth worms and their channels, other soil life, and rapid decomposition of crop residues are an indication of few structural problems. 6. Determining soil type- field method to test a) Sandy will not form a ball, not sticky gritty feel b) Loamy sand can form a ball but falls apart c) Loam easily forms a ball binds well d) Silty loam moulds easily, silky feel, sticks tofingers e) Clay loam binds strongly, forms polish when smeared between fingers f) clay binds into strong ball

1. Composting a) The biological reductio of organic wastes to humus b) This process is a part of the ever-recurring process that supports life c) Compost and composting are, like air and water, essential life. 2. Composting a) Compost in agriculture Akkadian clay tablets 1000 years before Moses Native Americans and early settlers Washington and Jefferson George Washington Carver Return to the land 3. G.W. Carver Quote 4. The phases of Composting a) Mesophilic phase (mdoerate temp phase) b) Thermophilic phase (high temp phase c) Maturation phase (cooling, curing) 5. Speeding up the natural decay process by controling a) Air (oxygen) b) water c) food d) temperature e) By doing above 4, we control rate and quality of compost. 6. Composting a) What do you need to make compost? Decomposers bacteria fungi earth worms b) Where do the decomposers come from? If you build it they will come.. Soil Leaves Food scraps Manure Finished compost (starter) 7. One teaspoon of good garden soil to which compost has been added contains a) Billions of bactera b) 800 feet of fungal threads 8. What to compost? a) Feed your decomposers yard garden trimmings grass clippings leaves sawdust fruit veggie scraps coffee grounds and tea bags small amounts of uncoated paper

animal manure horse cow rabbit chicken caution abt elevated phosphorus cardboard rolls eggshells haw and straw wood chips 9. Brown vs greens a) Browns drid plant parts, SOURCES OF CARBON b) Greens- fresh plant parts, manures, sources of NITROGEN 10. Browns a) High carbon materials such as leaves straw paper sawdust 11.Greens a) High nitrogen b) Test question: ratio is Carbon:Nitrogen 12. a) b) 13. a) b) c) d) e) f) g) h) i) 14. a) b) c) 15. a) b) c) d) 16. a) b) c) Is shredding necessary? Pro- greater surface area speeds up rate of decomposition Con smaller particles decrease air flow leading to anaerobic conditions What not to compost Cat/dog manure Meats Vegetable oil Dairy products Egg yolks disease ridden plants Yard trimmings w/ chem pesticides troublesome weeds Black walnut tree leaves or twigs Basic Compost Recipe Chop feedstock Mix 2/3 dry browns to 1/3 moist greens add water as you build pile Aerobic composting Decomposers need air (oxygen) The fastest way to make high quality composts Produces no foul odors bacteria productes heat Anaerobic composting temp range of 55 to 155 critical temp for killing human pathogens 131 critical for destroying weed seeds is 145

17. a) b) c) d) e) f) 18. a)

19. a) b) c) d) e) 20. a) b) c) d) e) 21. a) b) 22. a) b) c) d) e) f) g) h) 23. a)

24. a)

Getting air to your decomposers Warm air out; fresh air in Requires airation Porosity air filled spaces Course browns help maintain porosity Increase by turning compacted piles Increase air infiltration by adding perforated pipes in and under the pile Getting water to your decomposers Rapid decomposition requires optimum water content Too dry activity slows too wet, loss of air 40-60% water content too dry, add water as you turn too wet, ad browns as you turn Making compost rapidly Turn ever 5 days moving outer material to center During first few weeks temps rise after abt 4 weeks less heat after 4 more weeks pile will not heat up after turning Let sit (cure) for 4 more weeks. When is it compost? The color is dark brown Crumbly loose humus like smells earthy contains very little recognizable feedstock 1/3 original volume When is it compost? Test it Bag test: sealing in bag 2 weeks produces no foul odor Germination TEST seeds germinate? Where to compost Shaded area will hrelp prevent drying out Avoid areas that interfere with other activites adequate work area 360 Area for storage water nearby Good drainage around pile near where finshed compost will be used be a good neighbor Bin pile construction ideal size is abt 3-4 ft cube Promotes sufficient aeration retains sufficient heat easy to turn Manufactured bins Compost troubleshooting Odors

b)

25. a) b) c) d) e) f) g) h) 26. a) b)

Rotten odor, putrid smell or rotten egg smell Anaerobic conditions Excessive moisture or compaction Remedy: turn pile and add dry porous browns, cover kitchen scraps Ammonia smell too much nitrogen Temperature Low pile temp pile too small cold weather too fry REMEDY: enlarge pile or insulate sides, add water, turn the pile add greens High pile temp Piles too large reduce pile size; turn Benefits of composting supplies organic matter to soil attracts earth worms stimulates beneficial soil microorganisms increases soil water holding capacity increases soil nutrient retention improves soil tilth andfriability loosens heavy clay soils Plant nutrients adds organic forms of N and phosphorus compost can be a great source of trace essential elements Composting and NOP no specific restrictions on when to apply to crops Quite specific w/ process if containing manure temps btw 131 to 170 sustained for 3 days for invesessel 15 days for windrow if proc... not within 120 days of harvest if edible touches soil not within 90 days if edible portion does not touch soil