Turning the compost is an important part of cultivating healthy soil, but turning waste into compost can be a tedious task. You can make this task easier by investing in a self-propelled compost turner. This type of machine does all the heavy lifting for you, and you just need to put the raw materials in it and supervise it while the machine is running.
However, did you know that there are some factors that affect the composting rate of a self-propelled composter? In this article, we will explore the main reasons why composting slows down and how to get it back on track.
The composting rate of a self-propelled composter can be affected by a variety of factors, including temperature, humidity, moisture content, carbon-nitrogen ratio, oxygen content, aeration interaction, pH, and particle size. Let's take a closer look at these factors so that you can better understand the composting process and learn how to increase the composting rate of a self-propelled composter.
Temperature is one of the factors that cannot be controlled, so there is nothing you can do about it. However, you can adjust the compost turning parameters of the machine to ensure a slow decomposition rate and a long fermentation process.
The carbon-nitrogen ratio is crucial when it comes to making high-quality compost for crop fertilization. You need to understand that different materials have different carbon-nitrogen ratios. For best results, you may want to work with materials that have a similar carbon-nitrogen ratio. For example, cow manure has a carbon-nitrogen ratio of 20:01, which is almost the same as the carbon-nitrogen ratio of coffee grounds. This means that you can safely mix the two materials using a self-propelled compost turner to get high-quality compost. Similarly, bark and sawdust also have very similar carbon-nitrogen ratios. Before you start the composting process, you must make sure you understand how to mix these materials for the best results.
Moisture is another factor that affects the composting rate of a self-propelled composter. The role of moisture is to promote the absorption of nutrients by microorganisms. Ideally, the moisture content of the compost raw materials should be 50% to 60%. Too low moisture makes it difficult for organic matter to decompose because it reduces the activity of microorganisms. The result will be a slower composting rate and eventually anaerobic decomposition. The compost will smell and the nutrient content will be reduced. Keep in mind that the moisture content of the composting material is closely related to the ventilation capacity of the machine.
One of the factors that deserves close attention is the particle size of the compost raw materials. Reducing particle size helps increase the surface area of the particles, which in turn increases the rate of composting by enhancing the action of microorganisms.
Your main goal should be to obtain stable, mature compost that does not cause negative effects on humans. Therefore, you must do your best to manage the composting process as strictly as possible.
