Complete Guide to Organic Fertilizer Composting and Fermentation

Material Preparation and Ratio Successful composting begins with the correct material ratio. Carbon sources such as straw, sawdust, and fallen leaves should account for 70%-80% of the total volume, and these materials need to be crushed to 5-10 cm for better decomposition. Nitrogen sources include livestock manure and kitchen waste, comprising 20%-30% of the mixture. Key Tip: The carbon-nitrogen ratio should be maintained between 25:1 and 30:1. Imbalanced ratios can lead to slow decomposition (excess carbon) or odor problems (excess nitrogen). Pile Construction Methods and Techniques When building the compost pile, recommended dimensions are 1.5-2 meters wide at the base and 1-1.2 meters high. Use a layered approach: first spread 15-20 cm of carbon materials, then add 5-10 cm of nitrogen materials, and finally sprinkle with conditioners. Repeat this process until reaching the desired height. Four Stages of the Fermentation Process Heating Phase (0-7 days) Microorganisms begin rapid reproduction, raising the pile temperature from ambient to 50°C. This stage mainly decomposes easily degradable organic matter and doesn’t require turning. High-temperature Phase (7-21 days) Temperatures rise to 55-70°C, with thermophilic bacteria becoming active and effectively killing insect eggs and pathogens. Turn the pile every 3-5 days to ensure adequate oxygen supply. Cooling Phase (21-35 days) Temperatures gradually decrease below 40°C, and mesophilic bacteria begin decomposing difficult-to-break cellulose materials. Turning frequency can be reduced to once every 7-10 days. Maturation Phase (After 35 days) The pile temperature drops to ambient levels, materials turn dark brown, become loose in texture, and emit an earthy fragrance. The compost is now fully matured.