Northeast Regional Extension Associate: Why compost?

Organic matter is anything that makes up or is made up of living things. If you take a walk in the forest, you will see leaves from last season on the grounds, slowly decomposing.

By allowing these leaves to decompose, the nutrients that were in the leaves can be returned to the soil, making them available to nearby living plants.

Fertile soil is soil that is literally alive because it is home to many different types of organisms. While we may see some of these organisms — like worms or beetles — most are so small that you cannot see them with your eyes. These include bacteria and fungi, which, like worms and beetles, help break down organic matter in the soil. When these decomposers eat organic matter, their digestive system changes that matter through a chemical process.

These items (bread, banana peel, compostable “plastic” bag) were all put in the bin on the same day. How do they compare in their decomposition?

Check the thermometers. How do they compare to one another?

What do you see when you look at these three items in our compost bin?

Learn more from the Northeast Regional Extension office by visiting centralstate.edu/academics/science/extension/extension-northeast.