All you need to make compost from waste products is a flat, ideally shaded location, where the compost can be transported easily. A compost pile consists of 70% of plant material. Half of these plants are shredded and woody materials such as shrubs, and sesame stems and others. While the other half is non woody parts of plants, such as alfalfa, leaves, and vegetable cuttings. The other 30% is organic material 1- manures of all kinds such as cows, goats, sheep, water buffalos and camels.
Compost ingredients:
Plant Material
*Shredded and woody materials such as shrubs, palm trees, cotton bushes, and sesame stems and others.
*Non-woody parts of plants, such as alfalfa, leaves, vegetable cuttings, but also eggshells and leftovers.
Manures Material
*Manures of all kinds such as cows, goats, sheep, water buffalos and camels.
Method
The Compost pile is composed of Layers of Plant and Manure Materials
1. The first layer consists of shredded, preferably water-soaked woody material. It is placed in a width of 1.5 – 2m.
2. Covered with the second layer of manure
3. The whole pile should be watered well
4. Followed by the third layer which is the plant material
5. Again, cover it with manure and water it well
6. This process is repeated until the pile reaches the desired height of 1-1.5m; then it is covered with straw or palm fronds to protect it from drying out in the sun, but it should still be air- permeable (allow air flow).
Notes
*The right volume of water is reached when it is about to flow out of the pile.
*After 5-7 days you should check the moisture of the pile and, if necessary, re- water it.
Initial Quality Control
initial quality control is carried out after one week
*If the compost pile is cold and/or smells bad, the ratio of the compost ingredients was not correct, or the pile was compacted. Then start the process from the beginning.
Moisture Test
Moisture test should be carried out after one week. The moisture needs to be checked regularly, preferably every week.
Take a hand of the warm compost and squeeze it:
*If water drips from the hand, the pile is too wet.
*If lump disintegrates when you open your hand, the pile is too dry and needs to be re-watered.
*if the compressed material holds together, then the moisture content is suitable.
7. After 8 weeks, we turn the pile so that the outer material is moved inwards and the inner material outwards.
8. After another 8 weeks with regular moisture checks, the compost develops an earthy smell and the original material is barely recognizable.
The compost is now ready
Note:
*5-15 tons of compost are enough for approx. 1 Feddan of arable land, into which the compost needs to be incorporated.
*Compost should never be left in the bare sun because the beneficial microbes will die!
