Compost production for small scale farmers and gardeners Video

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!