Glossary

aeration:

a way of allowing air to get into compost

bacteria:

a group of microorganisms primarily responsible for decomposition in a backyard compost bin. Bacteria are also present in worm composting systems

bokashi:

a method of fermenting food scraps in an airtight container to create a nutrient-rich compost to add to soil

carbon:

a basic element found in compostable material and an important plant nutrient. When composting, materials high in carbon should be mixed with materials high in nitrogen to provide the microorganisms an optimal balance of 30 parts carbon to one part nitrogen (or 50/50 by volume). Materials high in carbon are usually brown, dry, and woody; some examples include twigs, dead leaves, straw, newspaper, or sawdust

compost:

the end result of the process of living organisms digesting and reducing organic material into a dark, rich, earthy-smelling soil amendment

curing::

a process after the “hot pile phase” in composting; a time for the compost to rest and stabilize before it is used

decomposition:

rot is the process by which dead organic substances are broken down into simpler organic or inorganic matter, such as carbon dioxide, water, simple sugars, and mineral salts

food scraps:

food that can be put in a compost pile, typically fruit and vegetable scraps. To avoid attracting pests, meat, dairy, and oils should not be composted unless you are using a bokashi bucket

food waste:

the edible amount of food, after harvest, that is available for human consumption but is not consumed for any reason. This includes cooking loss, or loss from mold, pests, or inadequate climate control

landfill:

a place where solid waste is buried in the ground. Modern landfills have clay bottoms and a liner, as well as leachate and gas collection systems. Solid waste needs to be covered daily with soil or other material. Many landfills are reaching capacity

manure:

animal waste used to fertilize land

microorganisms:

organisms too small to be seen with the naked eye, such as bacteria and some fungi

mulch:

material placed on top of garden beds or around plants. Mulches help deter weeds, hold water, and stop erosion. Shredded or decomposed organic matter make excellent mulches

nitrogen:

an element found in compostable material and an important plant nutrient. When composting, materials high in nitrogen should be mixed with materials high in carbon to give the microorganisms a balanced diet of 30 parts carbon to one part nitrogen (or 50/50 by volume). Materials high in nitrogen are usually wet and green; some examples include manures, fresh plant clippings, and food scraps

organic:

a term used to classify farming methods that limit the use of some common practices, such as biotechnology, and certain types of fertilizer or pesticide

red worms:

the type of earthworm typically used in worm composting systems. Red worms can be found in leaf mold and manure piles, and can be bought in bait shops and gardening stores

vermicompost:

compost produced using red worms

worm castings:

worm manure. This high-quality soil amendment is the final product from worm composting and can be used as a rich soil amendment