There are many ways to start composting and you do not have to compost to use an OGO™ Compost Toilet, however, if you do, we may be able to help get you started.
There are definitely a lot of resources and materials out there diving into the science of the microbiology of compost, the structures to house the mixture, and the best practices to achieve the end result. We will dive into more specific topics in articles to come.
In the meantime, let’s start with the basic understanding of compost.
There are basically three phases of composting. The mesophilic phases, when mesophilic bacteria get to work, and the compost starts to heat up.
The thermophilic phase. This is the fastest phase as thermophilic bacteria rapidly break down the material.
The final part curing. The temperature drops down as thermophilic activity reduces. Crucially, though, just because the compost has cooled down it is not finished.
After it has cooled down, other decomposers, such as fungi, worms, and beetles, really get to work, further improving the quality of the compost. Finally, you end up with stable compost that will improve your soil.
The next important is balancing your soil. Plants need nitrogen, but too much nitrogen can burn their roots. Immature compost can be too high in nitrogen, especially if you added a lot of hot material such as manure.
By allowing time for the composting process to finish, and for the excess nitrogen to either be released into the atmosphere or be used up by bacteria, you ensure that finished compost has the right level of nitrogen for your soil.
