How to set up and manage a good compost

Summary

This teaching document explains how good compost is made.
Compost is the solid, crumble, brownish to dark brown product of an aerobic degradation of biogenic waste or organic material. There are huge numbers of microorganisms working under constant access of air (oxygen) and with sufficient moisture in the material mix. There is not only degradation, but also formation of new compounds.
Compost has to be treated like a living organism. A healthy compost can bring many advantages to the soil and to the plants, but an unhealthycompost can bring disadvantages for plant growth.