Crushing of materials - a pile must have a structure that allows good ventilation; pieces that are too large do not allow for good surface contact and delays decomposition.
Organic Matter (OM) is preferable (straw, sawdust, stalks ...) Microorganisms need O2 to be able to oxidize OM (aerobic)
In the absence of O2 there will be anaerobic fermentation, with the formation of a bad smell (smell of ammonia - loss of nitrogen (N) in gaseous form and methane - loss of carbon (C) in the form of methane (CH4)), giving rise to a product that is not compost
The pile should be mixed
Do not compress the pile
Do not add excess water
Size of the pile (base 1.5 to 2m and height 1.5m)
Very large size makes it difficult to handle the pile and ventilate the interior
Humidity - 55 to 65% of its weight in water
The pile must always remain moist (microorganisms need water) but excess water prevents air circulation. To check the amount of water, squeeze the pile a little and drain no more than 2-3 drops between your fingers.
Temperature
Must not exceed 65-70ºC. The temperature should be lowered by watering, turning or introducing OM with a higher C/N ratio into the pile. Use appropriate thermometers or an iron rod inserted into the pile.
Initial Organic Matter
Adequate C/N ratio - must be between 25-30 OM that is highly woody (pruning firewood, wood chips, straw) and has a high carbon content.
In a pile based on woody material, we must mix in green material, animal waste, or even nitrogenous organic fertiliser to accelerate the decomposition (increase temperature)
