How to Make a Compost Activator
The proposition of making a compost pile is a good one and it can be done in your own backyard. The composting is easily carried out in a hot sunny climate. But it is important for the pile to be humid and also to be turned around from time to time. But if the heat is not enough, then you have to think of other ways to do the composting. This is where a compost activator comes in. But first, you need to consider the reasons for the compost pile not heating up. When lack of nitrogen is the cause behind this, then you can use a compost activator. It is usually very high in nitrogen and can speed up the process of composting very easily.
There are many compost activators available in the market which may be rich in nitrogen. They can heat up and activate the process of composting, but at the same time it is difficult to regulate the addition of nitrogen to the pile through this ready-made mixture and it may even go missing into the air. Hence it is always better to make your own compost activator which can serve the purpose well.
- Although it is difficult to believe, yet garden soil can be the simplest type of compost activator you can get. After soaking some garden soil in water, it is ready for use. Pour out the contents on the compost pile and you can see the change in a few days.
- Fresh, stable manure can also do the job well. The smell might be a little difficult to bear but it does provide a lot of nitrogen to the pile. Mix the manure well into the pile and it is bound to produce the heat needed.
- It is always better to make use of organic materials to activate the compost pile. Amongst the ones you can easily find are well-composted manure, finished compost or bloodmeal. The emphasis here is on totally using natural materials for the process.
- You can also make a herbal activator from a mixture of chamomile, yarrow, dandelion, valerian, oak bark, honey and nettle. Mix them together and keep the bottle aside for a whole day. You can either pour the mixture on the pile and mix it together or dig holes in the pile and pour the mixture is the pile is a large one. Dirt can fill up the holes after that. It will only take around 10 weeks for the whole composting process to be over.
- Some other compost activators are seaweeds, rotted chicken manure, comfrey leaves, grass clippings, fruit and vegetable scraps.
- Human urine is a very good compost activator but is rarely used because it hurts our sense of propriety.
It is quite easy to make a compost activator. And within weeks you will be having very good compost. This will not only keep the environment clean but also help to promote healthier living.
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