If you just beginning to compost, you might get overwhelmed with the various advice that you would find across the internet that includes, various kinds of materials that you should use and the right way to compost. Many newcomers have a notion that composting is a complex and messy task. However, let me put your concerns to rest, initially everything seems challenging until you learn the ropes. Once you get into the routine of composting and you’ve learned the right way to do it, it’s no more a task, in fact it is an eco-friendly habit for every household to participate in.
If you’re starting out now and you’re wondering what’s the ratio of carbon and nitrogen, keep reading, as we discuss the details to give you more clarity.
To successfully compost all your organic matter, it is important that you get the ratio of carbon & nitrogen correct. You have two categories that go into the compost bin, one is known as the greens and the browns. The greens are high in nitrogen and they include, all your kitchen scraps and fresh trimmings from your yard. Browns are high in carbon and they include all your dry yard waste, like dry leaves, twigs and also newspapers, tissues, etc.
Now to get this proportion right you have to follow a basic rule that requires the ratio to be 1:30 that is, one part of nitrogen and carbon should be 30 parts. Nitrogen as you can see, is at a low ratio because, it is available in excess amounts, you can easily use it like ammonia gas. This would lead to odor. When the ratio is higher, it only means there is insufficient nitrogen, restricting the microbial population. This would keep the compost cool, reducing the entire process of degradation.
Generally, green materials being high in nitrogen are also moist, whereas brown materials are usually dry with, increased levels of carbon. Now as the process of composting graduates the carbon to nitrogen ratio begins to decrease. What started off as a ratio of 1: 30 will now be 1:15-10. When it reaches this stage, it means that the compost is ready. This decreases because the microorganisms present in the compost consumed all the organic matter. 2/3 off carbon was used of like carbon dioxide. Whatever is left will then be incorporated with the nitrogen into the cells of microbial. Later this will be released for future use.
I always recommend following the ratio that we discussed however; you may also require to adjust the ratio depending on the bioavailability of certain materials. Arterials with contents of nitrogen are not difficult to find however, you may get bound in certain compounds which are resistant to degradation. For instance, in comparison to other kinds of matter, newspaper takes a long time only because it has been constructed from cellulose fibers. This is a compound that you may find in wood. It is very resistant. In the same manner straw and stocks are also resistant for similar reasons.
Finding that balance is important, it would take you a couple of tries until you realize, what things from your yard and kitchen work excellently in the composting process. Well guys that’s all for now, I do hope that you received more clarity with the carbon-nitrogen ratio compost. Happy composting.