types of compost

Compost is an organic and ecological fertilizer for plants which is produced by organic waste degradation of different types. In other words, when making compost, we transform our waste, such as vegetable remains from the kitchen, or pruning remains from the garden, into a product whose composition allows plants to absorb their nutrients through their roots, as they are incorporated into the soil.

Plants, especially those 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 purchasing synthetic fertilizer or chemical fertilizer and, in addition, it is an ecological and sustainable method. Therefore, we can say that compost serves to provide more nutrients to plants.

Learn more about Organic Fertilizers with this other gardening guide: what they are, types, benefits and how to make them.

As a summary, we can say that these are the types of ecological compost most used:

• Common compost: heap, surface, composters and industrial.
• Vermicompost or earthworm humus.
• Bokashi, bocashi compost or Japanese compost.

Common compost is understood as the most common and simple system of make homemade compost. There are different methods in its preparation, which depend mainly on the way or place in which we stack the organic material for it to break down. When preparing 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 gives off strong odors, it most likely contains too much nitrogen-rich waste. On the other hand, if the mixture is excessively 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 land. It consists of piling directly and on the ground alternate layers of dry and humid organic materials. 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 turn the heap regularly to aerate it.

Common compost on the surface

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 mulch methods. Thus, as microbial life and insects break down organic matter, nutrients seep directly into the soil, enriching it.

Common compost in boxes or composters

It is one of the most used methods by non-professional gardening or horticultural enthusiasts. Its main advantage lies in its simplicity, since you only have to purchase one of the many models of composters or composters that exist for sale. These are optimized and usually include instructions for use to make composting easier.

industrial compost

There is also industrial compost, which requires installations with pipes that supply 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 EcologíaVerde articles in which you will see guides on How to make homemade compost and How to make homemade organic fertilizer for plants.

Also called earthworm humus, vermicompost is one of the ecological fertilizers with the most beneficial effect on plants and soil properties, both in terms of nutrients and beneficial microbial load. In fact, it is especially useful in microorganisms, which are associated with the roots of plants and protect them from pathogenic elements such as fungi and bacteria.

vermicompost It is made mainly with California red wormsappreciated 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 them with organic matter, our worms will soon multiply and generate vermicompost. Here we tell you everything about How to make earthworm humus.

The bokashi or bokashi compost It is a type of compost that has its origin in Japan, which is why it is also known as japanese compost. The rice farmers of this country developed it as a way to take advantage of their residues and waste in a productive way for their crops.

Its main advantage over common compost is that the decomposition process is much 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 ashes, rice hulls and charcoalalthough some of these materials are substitutable for others.

In this other gardening guide from EcologíaVerde you can learn a lot about what bokashi or bocashi compost is and how to make it.

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