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That’s why it’s important to know when compost is finished, or in other words, when it has finished decomposing and is ready to work its magic in the garden.
What is Finished Compost?
Finished compost is organic materials that have completed
the decomposition process.
Characteristics of Finished Compost
Compost has many telltale signs that it has finished
decomposing. Look for the following characteristics before adding black gold to
the garden.
- Dark Brown in Color
- Sweet & Earthy Smell
- Moist
- Crumbly
- Spongy
- Non Identifiable Compost Ingredients
Finished Compost Test
Not sure if the compost pile has turned into black gold
yet? There are 2 methods, recommended by Organic Gardening, to tell if it
has truly finished decomposing. Here’s how:
Sniff Test: Scoop a handful of compost into a Mason
jar, make sure it’s moist, and put the lid on. Place the jar in the sun for 3
days and then open it and take a big whiff. If it smells like freshly tilled
soil, the compost is ready. If it gives off a foul odor of any kind, it needs
more time to decompose.
Germination Test: Mix equal parts compost and
potting soil in a pot and plant a few radish seeds. Mix the same amount of
potting soil in a separate pot and plant more radish seeds. If the pots
germinate the seeds at the same pace, the compost is finished. If the pot with
the compost germinates and grows the seeds at a slower rate, than the compost isn’t
finished yet.
Finished compost can be added to the garden any time of
year. If you have unfinished compost by the time fall rolls around, go ahead
and add it to the garden so it will have plenty of time to finish decomposing
before the growing season begins the following spring.
Additional Composting Articles
Reference: Organic Gardening (2007). Make Compost in 14 Days. Rodale Inc
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