Build composters - make a compost pile with
layers and maintain it - the compost power plant with water
up to 60ºC.
The composter is ready - Then large stones are added at the
bottom so that the composter's wooden frame does not rot at
the bottom immediately [4]
Hot tube by wood chip compost pile [12] - Water heater with
wood chips+leaves, cross section [13]
The five rules for a compost pile
1. The compost pile must have it's base on the
ground: A compost pile should be in contact
with the soil so that worms and other beneficial bugs can
work it.
2. Turn your compost pile once a week.
3. Roof: The compost pile should be covered
so that the rain does not wash out the nutrients.
4. Divide sectors according to the duration:
compost piles should be divided into sectors according to
the time of action - you need to keep an eye on the age of
the compost waste:
5. Separation of woody and vegetable compost:
Woody and bushy compost decomposes slower than kitchen
waste and weeds, so you should set up two different
compost piles [web01].
More standards for a compost pile
6. The side walls should be made of a grid,
so that there is as much air access to the compost pile as
possible [web05].
7. The larger the compost pile, the more conversion will
take place [web05].
First of all build a composter frame
A composter frame must be a three-sided frame, which has
air slits, so that the air supply to the compost is
guaranteed at any height. You can compose the racks
together yourself with screws, or you can screw the
composter together from a few pallets (soft fir / spruce
wood).
Composter half finished [1] - composter three quarters
finished [2]
The composter is ready [3] - Then large stones are added
at the bottom so that the composter does not rot at the
bottom immediately [4]
The finished composter with large stones at the bottom
02 [5]
Cold compost - hot compost - earthworm
compost
Cold compost: Just throw all organic waste on a pile
and wait 6 months.
The lowest layers are the first to be transformed into new
compost soil. The transformation time goes depending on
the climate in a humid climate about 6 months, in a dry
climate 1 year. If you water well, the transformation
process goes faster. In winter, the decomposition
processes continue in the compost heap, where it remains
warm. You can then dig off the lowest layers that have
become compost, so that the upper layers collapse in on
themselves. As a frame, one can take, for example, pallets
that guarantee easy access [web04].
Hot compost: temperature monitoring - compost tumbler
The compost pile is monitored, temperatures are measured,
the compost pile is regularly tumbled so that the compost
soil is produced in 1 to 3 months. With a compost tumbler,
the whole maturing process is much faster, because you
don't have to turn the compost pile with a shovel or a
pitchfork. Temperatures and humidity must be maintained.
Water must be poured each time you turn the pile to
maintain moisture. The temperature in the compost pile
should be between 55 and 60ºC (130 to 140º Fahrenheit). In
this way, microbiological processes continue without stop
[web04].
Earthworm compost
The earthworms eat their way through the organic waste.
So: earthworms are added to the organic waste, and the
compost pile can be piled up endlessly. The earthworms'
excreta are excellent, new soil. This method requires NO
rearrangement and can be used indoors [web04].
The "worm box"
"Worm boxes" are very suitable for indoor kitchen waste
where pests have no access. When kitchen waste ends up on
the compost pile, it attracts bugs [web05].
No alternation between cold and hot compost
One should not interrupt the composting process and change
from cold to hot compost, because the decomposition
processes are different and when changing, everything
starts from the beginning [web04].
Construction of a compost heap
Define the place - a lot of sun is advantageous, but
the compost heap should not dry out either
One can make a frame for the compost pile, for example
with a fence, or with pallets. Others use a compost
tumbler [web04].
In good sunlight, the decomposition processes in the
compost pile proceed faster. But the compost pile should
never dry out. A layer of grass on top is therefore a good
protection against drying out [web04].
Compost in the rain barrel
Compost can also be produced in the rain barrel if
earthworms are added. In 3 months the bottom layer becomes
the best humus [web03].
Compost is possible with compost heap or metal sheet
composting [web02].
The stratification of the compost pile
First layer: brown-green=25:1: The first
stratification should contain a lot of carbon material,
ratio carbonaceous (brown organic waste) to nitrogenous
(green organic waste) = 25:1. This is the best way to
stimulate efficient decomposition and microbial activity
[web04]. After laying the foundation, you can add more
biowaste as it comes [web04].
The first layer can also consist of brushwood and sticks
to allow oxygen access from below [web05].
First layer: add soil: put in some pure
meadow soil that already has a balanced soil animal fauna,
which will then spread throughout the compost pile
[web04].
First layer: Always water well: In order for
the decomposition processes to get off to a good start,
the compost pile should always be watered well every day,
especially at the beginning during the first layer. The
compost pile should always feel like a wet sponge [web04].
The other layers: 8-10cm brown and green organic
waste
There are alternately layered
-- carbon biowaste (brown)
-- nitrogen biowaste (green) [web05].
Between these layers, alwayssome earth is put for
enriching the layers with positive microorganisms.
Brown layers with cardboard, etc. neutralize bad odors
from green layers when they are decomposing
(especially with kitchen waste) [web05].
Carbon material (brown biowaste - factor 25): Wood
scraps and wood products (cardboard, paper, ashes) --
Tree leaves, pine needles, straw, etc.
-- Dead and dried plant materials.
-- Ashes from firewood
-- Bread
-- Lint from a dryer
-- Hair (do you have a pet?)
-- Wood chips, shavings, small twigs, wood shavings
-- cardboard
-- Leaves [web05]
-- Natural fibers such as cotton and leather
-- paper plates
-- Burlap
-- pine needles
-- Handkerchiefs and napkins
-- Dead leaves
-- Straw
-- Newspapers [web04].
Nitrogen material (green biowaste - factor 1): Grass,
fruits, vegetables, animal manure, urine, eggshells,
etc.
-- Eggshells
-- Fresh grass clippings
-- Pulled weeds that have not gone to seed
-- Vegetables and fruits that are rotten, burned in the
freezer, or thrown away
-- Coffee grounds
-- Tea bags
-- pet manure (avoid cat and dog waste)
-- Urine [web04].
Always reduce: Large organic waste should be
reduced in size so that it decomposes faster [web04] -
[i.e.: banana peels should be cut into small pieces, large
pieces of wood can be reduced in size, etc.].
Manure or/and manure in the compost: if you
use manure in the compost pile, you have to follow
regulations:
Translation:
"If you have manure or/and shit of animals in your compost
pile, the USDA organic rule requires that when composting
plant and animal materials, the compost must be produced
by a process that establishes an initial C:N ratio between
25:1 and 40:1. And that a temperature between 131 °F and
170 °F be maintained for 15 days using a windrow
composting system that requires the materials to be turned
five times. Or maintain a temperature between 131 °F and
170 °F for three days with an aerated pile system in the
bin or static before curing for 45 days." [web01]
Meat and dairy products in compost pile attract
rodents - install them only in the center where no one
can reach it
Meat and dairy products can be composted, but they also
attract rodents. To prevent this, BURY meat and dairy
products in the center of the compost pile [web04].
Material that NEVER goes on a compost pile
Materials that damage or even block the decomposition
process NEVER belong on a compost pile:
-- Glass
-- Coal ash
-- Plastic-coated or shiny papers
-- Sawdust or wood chips from treated woods
-- Cooking oils and fats
-- Styrofoam
-- Weeds or disease plants [web04]
-- sprayed peels of fruits and vegetables: the pesticides
slow decomposition [web05].
Temperatures in the well layered
compost pile
Temperature inside a compost pile: up to 75ºC - the
"hot rot".
With a regular layering of green - earth - brown -
earth - green, etc., the microorganisms multiply
rapidly. The humidity inside should be very humid, but
not dripping. When 1m3 of size is reached, the heat
development ("hot rot") inside can reach up to 75ºC.
Weed seeds and other problematic plant parts die
[web05].
Every 2 weeks, the compost pile has to be diggen up
("turned") to bring oxygen into the compost - then the
hot rot restarts: After each digging over, a new "hot
rot" starts [web05].
Cold compost pile without digging - the "cold rot"
If a compost pile is only slowly piled up and turned
only 1x per year, no heat develops, a cold rot
develops, less weeds are killed. The compost is then
more mature, but has less nutrients [web05].
Tricks
for the well layered compost pile
-- water the compost pile only after turning, when it is
very dry inside [web05]
-- cover the compost pile with a tarp to prevent liquid
loss and heat loss [web05]
Decomposition and compost in the well
layered compost pile
During decomposition, the compost pile shrinks [web05].
With regular turning, the compost will be crumbly and deep
brown after 2 to 3 months. Maturation for another 2 months
stabilizes the nutrients and results in "mature compost"
[web05]. Earthworms (Lumbricus terrestris) assist the
decomposition process [web05].
The development into "mature compost" can be accelerated
with "compost worms" (Eisenia fetida), which are placed in
the compost pile after the last hot rotting. They further
stabilize the nutrients in "clay-humus complexes" that are
protected from leaching and improve the water properties
of the soil [web05].
The compost power plant: free hot water
with compost piles - the compost pile water heater - and
in the end also great compost soil
https://www.pinterest.de/pin/342977327846512023/
Colorado ("USA"): The compost power plant: woodchip
compost pile heats water to 40ºC (104º Fahrenheit) for
FREE - and you end up with great new soil for FREE for
your garden
from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbArnw2Tfu0
Video: Compost-Powered Water Heater
provides Free heat for the Hot Tub and helps me grow
organic food (2'30'')
Video: Compost-Powered Water Heater provides Free heat
for the Hot Tub and helps me grow organic food (2'30'')
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbArnw2Tfu0 - YouTube
channel: GrowFoodWell
Video text:
Heat water for FREE using composting wood chips. Really.
I'm not kidding. Check out the Wood Chip Compost Hot Tub
in the video. This is a hybrid version using the "Jean
Pain" method.
If you want to learn fast organic gardening methods, come
join our Garden Club! Here's the link for more info: https://gardenclub.growfoodwell.com/we-can-all-growfoodwell/
Tom Bartels from Colorado ("USA") clearly says: A
compost pile can also be a water heater [6] - The
compost pile gives free hot water [7] - The compost pile
can produce hot water with 140 Fahrenheit = 40 degrees
Celsius [8].
Tom Bartels aus Colorado ("USA") meint klar: Ein
Komposthaufen kann auch ein Wasserboiler sein [6] - Der
Komposthaufen gibt gratis Heisswasser [7] - Der
Komposthaufen kann Warmwasser mit 140 Fahrenheit
produzieren = 40 Grad Celsius [8]
The compost pile can produce free
hot water of 140 Fahrenheit = 40 degrees Celsius ALSO
IN WINTER [9] - You can take a bath outside in winter
with a water temperature of 104 Fahrenheit = 40
degrees Celsius [10] - The compost pile consists only
of wood chips that heat the hot bath to 40 degrees
Celsius [11].
Hot tub by wood chip compost pile [12] - Water heater
with wood chips+leaves, scheme with cross section [13]
The wood chip compost pile can heat the water up to 60
degrees (140 Fahrenheit) [14] - The wood chips turn into
compost soil [15] - The wood chip compost pile is built
with a grid and maintained with a rake [16].
Strong vegetables by good compost 1,2 [17,18] - Strong
tomatoes by good compost soil [19].
Video minutes:
The compost pile (the compost power plant)
The wood chip compost pile is enclosed by chicken wire
(20''). A few water hoses are placed through the compost
pile in multiple turns, and then the compost pile heats
the hoses (44''). And when the compost pile has finished
breaking down, the compost soil is a great addition to any
garden (1'16''). So, the hot water is FREE, and then the
top soil for the garden is also FREE (1'19''). And the hot
water is available day and night without restriction
(1'25'').
Heating possibilities
It can be used to heat a small house, a greenhouse, a
small store, a floor heating system, installations not
connected to the mains (1'32''), or a small swimming pool
(1'36'').
The use of the compost
And with the fresh compost soil, the vegetables will be
stronger, more resistant, less vulnerable and will be
simply wonderful (1'58''). Website: growfoodwell.com
(2'10''). On the website are the workshops on videos, how
to do what, and then have fun with it (2'23'').
[web01] Permaculture News:
https://permaculturenews.org/2011/08/19/summer-permaculture-tips-and-tricks/
[web02] Australia: Deep green agriculture:
https://deepgreenpermaculture.com/diy-instructions/starting-your-permaculture-garden/
[web03] Kompost in der Mülltonne mit Regenwürmern in 3
Monaten: https://www.pinterest.de/pin/514888169886123912/
[web04] Kalter Kompost - heisser Kompost:
https://www.backyardboss.net/how-to-make-compost-black-gold-for-your-own-gardens/
[web05]
https://www.wurmwelten.de/einen-komposthaufen-anlegen/
Photo sources
[1-5] Video: Komposter aus Paletten selber bauen:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4FQsEkJ8R4 - YouTube-Kanal:
Natürliches
Leben - hochgeladen am 3.3.2017
[6-19] Video: Compost-Powered Water Heater provides Free
heat for the Hot Tub and helps me grow organic food (2'30'')
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbArnw2Tfu0 - YouTube-Kanal:
GrowFoodWell
