5 Compost Activators That'll Speed Up the Process
Composting is the natural process of breaking down organic matter and turning it into a nutrient-rich soil amendment. But, how does the compost process begin?
By using the right compost activators, you can jump-start the decomposition process and get the most out of your compost pile. In this blog post, we will discuss five of the most effective compost activators and how they can help you get the best results from your compost pile.
Activators are substances that help begin and then speed up the process by introducing additional nitrogen to the compost.
Activators come in two forms - natural and artificial. (#compostactivators)
Natural compost activators include alfalfa meal, other natural activators like seaweed, fishmeal, and chicken manure, and bacterial activators for compost like EM-1 Microbial Inoculant.
Artificial compost activators can be purchased as powders or liquids and contain synthetic chemicals.
1) Worms
Worms are a great natural compost activator, especially when you’re looking for meals for your compost. Using worms as a compost activator can help improve the quality of the final product by aerating the material, increasing microbial activity, and helping to break down larger pieces of organic material.
They’re a reliable way to speed up the decomposition process without having to rely on artificial fertilizers. Worms are also great for improving drainage in compost piles, allowing oxygen to get in and moisture to move out.
If you’re looking to add worms to your compost pile, remember that they need a comfortable environment in order to thrive. This means creating a balanced mix of moist and dry matter, providing plenty of air pockets, and making sure the temperature stays between 50 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Adding worms to your compost can give it the extra boost it needs to quickly turn into nutrient-rich soil.
2) Bacteria
When it comes to composting, the addition of bacterial activators can be an effective way to speed up the process. Bacterial activators help to break down organic matter into compost faster and are an essential part of the composting process.
There are a variety of bacterial activators available to choose from, each with its own unique benefits.
Here are a few of the most popular bacterial activators for compost:
Molasses - Molasses is a great source of energy for microorganisms, which makes it an effective bacterial activator for compost. Not only does it provide energy, but it also helps to increase the levels of beneficial microorganisms in the compost, which further accelerates the composting process.
Compost Tea - Compost tea is made by combining compost with water and letting it steep overnight. This mixture is rich in nutrients and beneficial bacteria, which provides the ideal environment for bacterial activators. It’s best used when watered down and sprayed onto your compost pile every few days.
Fish Emulsion - Fish emulsion is made from fish oil and can provide an excellent source of nitrogen for your compost. It can also help to boost the populations of beneficial bacteria in the compost, making it an effective bacterial activator.
Worm Castings - Worm castings are one of the best natural sources of bacteria for your compost pile. Not only do they provide a high concentration of beneficial bacteria, but they also help to aerate the pile and provide it with essential nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorous.
Manure - Manure is an excellent source of bacterial activators for your compost pile, as it’s rich in beneficial microbes and nutrients. It also helps to aerate the pile, which helps to speed up the decomposition process.
These are just a few of the bacterial activators available for composting. With the right combination of these activators, you can dramatically speed up the process and produce high-quality compost in no time!
3) Fungi
Fungi are a natural compost activator that can help speed up the composting process.
Fungi, like bacteria, feed on organic material found in compost piles and help break down the ingredients into usable nutrients for plants.
Fungi can be activated in several different ways, including through the addition of meals for your compost such as alfalfa meal.
Alfalfa meal is a natural activator of fungi in compost piles. It's rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which helps to activate and nourish the fungi, speeding up the breakdown of organic material and ultimately improving the quality of your compost.
You can also find artificial activators specifically designed for compost piles. These activators may contain both bacterial and fungal strains and are added directly to the pile or into the soil around it.
When using fungi or other natural activators, make sure to follow directions carefully and monitor the progress of your compost pile. Over time, the natural activators will break down the organic material but you can supplement them with additional activators to ensure the pile is breaking down quickly and efficiently.
By adding a fungi activator to your compost pile, you're giving your plants the meals they need to thrive.
4) Heat
Heat is a natural compost activator that can speed up the compost process. It is important to remember that adding too much heat can be detrimental to your compost pile.
In order to properly add heat to your compost, you need to create the right environment for bacteria to thrive. To do this, you should add meals for your compost such as alfalfa meal and other natural activators.
Compost should have an internal temperature of between 130 and 150 degrees Fahrenheit. This range is the optimal temperature for composting, and will help the process move faster.
You can keep heat in your compost by covering it with a tarp or insulating material. This helps keep the warmth in and prevents the pile from cooling down.
5) Air
One of the most important natural compost activators that you can use is air. When your compost pile is too moist and not enough air can get in, the decomposition process will slow down drastically.
Adding oxygen to your compost bin with a shovel or pitchfork is a great way to improve the aeration of your compost pile and speed up the process.
Aerobic bacteria need oxygen to break down organic matter, so it's important to have proper air circulation in your compost pile in order for your compost to break down efficiently. If you don't have enough air getting into your compost pile, then the temperature will stay lower and decomposition will be slower.
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