🌱 Composting: feeding the soil by imitating nature

Composting is both an ancient and modern practice, based on a natural biological process: the controlled decomposition of organic matter.
It is a key step in permaculture to close the loops, reduce waste, and sustainably enrich soils without chemical inputs.
Properly done, composting produces a rich, stable material called humus, which improves soil fertility, structure, and resilience.

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🌿 Why compost? A simple act with profound effects

1. 🌍 Waste reduction: up to 30% of household waste can be composted, significantly lightening the trash bins.

2. 🌱 Soil improvement: compost increases organic matter content, stimulates microfauna, and improves water retention.

3. 🪱 Biological activation: compost feeds underground life — fungi, bacteria, insects — which then work for the plants.

4. 💰 Local economy: fewer fertilizers to buy, less waste transport.

5. 🌳 Carbon stability: compost stores carbon in a stable form in the soil, helping to fight erosion and climate change.

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🧪 The biological process of composting

Composting is an aerobic decomposition, that is, in the presence of oxygen.
Three main phases follow one another:

1. 🌡️ Thermophilic phase (heating)

During the first weeks, aerobic microorganisms rapidly decompose sugars and proteins.
The temperature can rise up to 60 °C, which allows:

• to eliminate the majority of unwanted seeds,

• to neutralize many pathogens.

👉 This phase is essential to obtain healthy compost.

2. 🍂 Active decomposition phase

As the material breaks down, the temperature gradually decreases.
Fungi and invertebrates take over: worms, woodlice, springtails…
They transform the residues into a finer, darker, and more homogeneous material.

3. 🌳 Maturation phase

The material becomes stable, the mineralization and humification processes are completed.
The compost takes on a crumbly texture, a dark brown color, and a forest floor smell.
Microorganisms slow down their activity: this is mature compost.

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⚖️ The balance of materials: key to good compost

Good compost relies on a balance between two main families:

• Green materials (rich in nitrogen)
  → peelings, fresh grass clippings, vegetable kitchen waste, young weeds, coffee grounds.

• Brown materials (rich in carbon)
  → dead leaves, straw, shredded material, small branches, unprinted brown cardboard.

👉 Ideal ratio: about ⅓ green to ⅔ brown.

• Too much nitrogen = smelly, anaerobic compost.

• Too much carbon = compost too dry, slow to decompose.

Aeration is also fundamental: compost must "breathe." Fine branches or shredded material ensure good structure for air circulation.

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💧 Managing moisture and air

Compost should be moist like a wrung-out sponge.

• Too dry → light watering or add green materials.

• Too wet → add dry browns or turn.

A regular mixing (every 2 to 4 weeks) restarts microbial activity and prevents anaerobic pockets responsible for bad odors.

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🧰 Different composting methods

1. Compost pile: traditional, simple, and free method, suitable for large gardens.

2. Closed composter (wood or plastic): ideal in urban areas, limits nuisances and protects from weather.

3. Surface composting (mulching compost): waste is left to decompose directly on the soil under a layer of mulch — a method widely used in permaculture.

4. Compost integrated into mounds: waste is directly incorporated into the structure of the mounds (see raised bed gardening).

5. Vermicomposting: worm-based composting in bins, often used in apartments or as a supplement.

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🪱 Life in compost: a miniature ecosystem

A good compost shelters a complex food chain:

• Bacteria and fungi break down simple molecules.

• Insects and worms shred the material into small fragments.

• Other organisms (mites, springtails) finish the work and stabilize the material.

👉 The greater the diversity, the richer and more balanced the compost.

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🌻 Using compost in the garden

🌾 When to incorporate it

• Autumn 🍂 → as a general soil amendment, to feed underground life during winter.

• Spring 🌸 → before sowing or planting, to boost soil fertility.

• In season → as a light mulch around established crops (ripe compost only).

✋ How to incorporate it

• On the surface (permaculture method): spread 2 to 5 cm of compost on the area to enrich, then cover with mulch.

• Light incorporation: lightly scratch the surface without turning the soil.

• At the bottom of the furrow or planting hole: for heavy feeders (tomatoes, squash, cabbages…).

👉 No need to bury it deeply — compost works better in contact with the root zone and active microfauna.

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🔬 Recognizing ripe vs unripe compost

👉 Unripe compost may still contain unstable elements: used directly on young plants, it can cause temporary nitrogen deficiencies ("nitrogen hunger" effect) or undesirable fermentation.

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⚠️ To avoid in compost

• Meats, fish, dairy products (attract pests)

• Oils, chemicals, treated wood, plastics

• Diseased plants or plants gone to seed (except controlled hot composting)

• Citrus in large quantities (excessive acidity)

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📝 In summary

Composting is much more than recycling organic waste: it is a complex biological transformation, which, when properly managed, produces a stable and valuable material for the soil.
👉 Integrated at the right time and in the right way, compost becomes a strategic resource to sustainably nourish crops, improve soil structure, and promote underground biodiversity.