Wednesday, December 28, 2011

How to make Mixed Compost(MC)

Mixed compost is a very useful Natural Farming input. It is made by mixing animal and vegetable organic matter together. Agricultural by- products,leaf molds in the forest,livestock excretion,rice bran,mill run,rice husk,sesame dregs,etc can be MC's ingredients.Also add FPJ,LAB,yeast and FAA for moisture control,this will improve the MC's quality.
MC must mixed with soil ( from mountain and field).Soil from mountain has a lots of mineral and fresh microorganisms.
Soil must be added to compost to hold the nutrients and prevents their loss.

1. Prepare IMO4 and organic matter 1:10 (ingredients of organic matter may differ). Best season to make MC is autumn and winter.
2.Mix ingredients under a roof and protected area from direct sun and rain. Floor should be soil and material should be grater then 500kg. It is difficulty to maintain fermentation heat with smaller volume.
3.Spread and make height of 1 1/2ft (Summer) -3ft (cold) this is to let oxygen get into the material and also control the temp.
4 Adjust moisture 60% with diluted (1:500) FPJ, FAA, OHN, NMA or other inputs. Adding power oyster,crab,shrimp or egg shell is very good. The matter should be slightly wet to the hand and barely maintain shape when squeezed.
5. Cover with straw mat.
6.When temperature reaches 110-120 F turn the materials. Turning the material will lower the temp and allow better aeration. First turning day2,second turning on day 5-6, 3rd turning on day 8-10
7. Control moisture level when necessary.
8. After about 20 days will be completed MC. Well made MC has a sweet smell and if it has stink smell it's not fermentation it's deterioration. In worst cases when you did not turn over well or have too much moisture you will have maggots.
9. You can store MC about 1 year.Keep in cool shade and protected area.

2 comments:

  1. Thank you for this great website, your knowledge, photos, and beautiful paintings at the end.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you :) I only saw you comment today which is June2,2018
    Hope you are still practicing Natural Farming.
    Many Blessings,Kim

    ReplyDelete


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