Serious gardeners have always understood the value of a well-developed compost pile, its use documented throughout thousands of years of history. Not only does it provide exceptional nutrition to growing plants by restoring poor soils, it also naturally reduces the need for harmful chemicals and pesticides.
Unfortunately, compost can take quite a bit of time and effort to “ripen” and prepare for use – sometimes up to an entire year before it’s ready to work into the soil. There are multiple ways to accelerate the process including working in blood meal, bone meal, or alfalfa meal, animal manure, human compost accelerator, or homemade concoctions - or you can simply add in a compost activator and get the same results without the hassle.
Generally when compost breaks down slowly it is high in carbon (dried leaves) and lacks essential nutrients, usually nitrogen (greens). Compost activators are essentially made up of nitrogen rich ingredients and work to accelerate the composting process by providing any missing nutrients needed to develop the pile. They can help speed up the process and have compost ready to use in as little as 30-90 days. In addition to nutrient imbalance, your pile may also require a compost activator in cooler weather to help maintain the heat necessary for the pile to develop. If speeding up the process by several months isn’t enough, compost activators can also assist in creating a better smelling pile.
When choosing a compost activator, it’s important to consider what it’s made of. Some activators are full of chemicals and if you’ve been working to grow your own organic product, it would quickly diminish your efforts. You’ll want to choose an activator that is organic itself and free of chemicals and toxins. All of the organisms should be tested safe and biodegradable to ensure the best results.
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