[compost_tea] Re: Sawdust in compost tea

From: Tim Wilson <thegoodjob_at_hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 07 Mar 2011 16:21:56 -0000

I agree with this part of this post;

"If your intent is only to allow the vermicompost to be easily handled, rem=
ember that any compost will easily dissolve in the brewer regardless of its=
 consistency and how it is added. It sounds like there might be a concern w=
ith storing the "wet" vermicompost until it can be used for ACT (possibly t=
urning anaerobic). Consider allowing the soil to sit in an open container o=
r spread it out until the desired moisture content is satisfactory for stor=
age."

Adding non-composted wood particles to ACT is not a great idea in my opinio=
n. One would think the vermicompost clumps would dissolve in the water.

Tim


--- In compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com, "dblsixteenout" <jseegert_at_...> wrote:
>
> It is generally acceptable to use sawdust and wood chips as a component o=
f compost. However, care should be taken when choosing the wood source. Fi=
rst and foremost, never use black walnut since this tree emits a chemical t=
hat will prohibit plant growth. This is a type of defense against weed and=
 cover growth inhibiting sapling growth. The other type of wood that shoul=
d be limited is oak or other woods containing high levels of tannins. Thes=
e tend to contain tannic acid and if used in higher quantities will raise t=
he pH of the compost resulting in detrimental effects on the microorganisms=
. Most of us don't have access to oleander but this also emits a deadly to=
xin that should not be used around gardens intended for human consumption. =
Also, plywood sawdust should be steered clear of since the chemicals that a=
re used in the resins are typically not intended for human consumption.
>
> Wood fiber is high in carbon (200:1 C:N) content and is best used as topi=
cal application (10 tonnes/acre or about 4.5 lbs per 100 square foot) but w=
ill definitely lock up a good portion of Nitrogen in the compost since the =
type of organisms that break down cellulose will also demand Nitrogen. If =
using wood fiber in compost, you must add about 14 oz of blood meal (_at_11% N=
) or 2 lb of a 5% N granular product per 20lbs of wood fiber to offset the =
amount of N used to compost it (this is equivalent to about 10 lbs of N per=
 tonne of sawdust). One good source of N to add with sawdust is poultry man=
ure. This is a great way to "cool" down this type of waste.
>
> Another option is to boost the level of N before adding the sawdust by ad=
ding food sources to the worm pile that results in a compost that contains =
enough N for the cellulose consuming organisms and allows for an adequate l=
evel of N left after the sawdust is decomposed.
>
> If you are going to use this sawdust mixed compost for ACT without adding=
 any additional Nitrogen source, remember that making a bacterial based ACT=
 utilizing sawdust blended compost will continue to consume any nitrogen fr=
om the compost. Allowing the mix to run longer to propagate a significant l=
evel of bacterial organisms to feed the protozoa and other N-producing orga=
nisms, will allow the bacteria consuming organisms to resupply the levels o=
f available/free N as a byproduct. In other words the propagation of Bacte=
ria is dependent upon the consumption of available/free N in your compost. =
 Allowing significant levels of bacteria to develop will allow the protozoa=
 and other N generating organisms to increase in numbers. This allows the o=
rganisms breaking down the cellulose a source of N but should also leave en=
ough availble/free N for an effective tea.
>
> The process is dependent upon the types of compost, additives and times o=
f brewing but can easily be confirmed by microscopic evaluation (making sur=
e there are high levels of bacteria at first and then protozoa).
>
> If your intent is only to allow the vermicompost to be easily handled, re=
member that any compost will easily dissolve in the brewer regardless of it=
s consistency and how it is added. It sounds like there might be a concern =
with storing the "wet" vermicompost until it can be used for ACT (possibly =
turning anaerobic). Consider allowing the soil to sit in an open container =
or spread it out until the desired moisture content is satisfactory for sto=
rage.
>
> Also, wood fiber will take longer to compost 6 months - 1 year depending =
on the size of the wood fiber.
>
>
>
> --- In compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com, Cameron Jenkins <milkman_at_> wrote:
> >
> > Hi all,
> >
> > Been a lurker for a month or so, but this is my first post.
> >
> > I live on a small suburban block in Melbourne, Australia. I have a numb=
er of worm farms, two of these are can-o-worms. They work well for me, exce=
pt the castings in the bottom tray always seems to be quite wet and the cas=
tings are all clumpy and not really suited for the 44 gallon drum I brew my=
 compost teas in.
> >
> > Today, I emptied the bottom tray out of one of the can-o-worms, and mix=
ed it with some non treated sawdust. As the sawdust drew in some of the moi=
sture, it allowed the worm castings to break apart into smaller bits. I the=
n used a sieve to sift the castings to use into my compost tea.
> >
> > So the question is, how would sawdust go in a compost tea? I'll only be=
 adding some molasses and fish emulsion to my next brew, so I'd be interest=
ed in feedback as to whether there would be anything wrong with sawdust mix=
ed with fine worm castings would go in a brew.
> >
> > Regards,
> > Cameron Jenkins
> >
>




Received on Mon Mar 07 2011 - 11:43:19 EST

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