🌱 Compost at Home – Layered Composting With Cow Manure
nutrient-rich soil. The right method ensures fast decomposition without any unpleasant
smell.
📈 Why Is Properly Made Compost Good for Your Garden?
- 🌟 Restores the soil's natural vitality and rich microflora.
- 💧 Improves the water-holding capacity of sandy soil and makes heavy clay soil more
airy. - 🍎 Gives plants a long-term, stable supply of nutrients.
- 🌿 Suitable for organic growing in greenhouses, ornamental gardens and vegetable
beds.
🌾 How Does the Composting Process Work?
For efficient decomposition, microorganisms and worms need four components in the right
balance:
- 🟢 Nitrogen-rich "green" material: Grass clippings, raw kitchen scraps, weeds.
- 🟤 Carbon-rich "brown" material: Dry leaves, wood chips, shredded cardboard, straw.
- 💨 Oxygen and moisture: Compost must be neither too dry nor too wet (when
squeezed, the wood or leaf mass should feel like a wrung-out sponge).
💩 Manure – A Natural Catalyst in the Compost Bin
Ordinary garden-waste compost often takes 1–2 years to mature. Adding fully decomposed, organic cow manure between the layers speeds up the process by up to two times:
- Kickstarts decomposition instantly: Manure introduces millions of essential soil bacteria into the compost.
- Works even in the cold: Activates compost warming in early spring, even at low outdoor temperatures.
- Boosts value: Enriches the final product with essential macronutrients (N, P, K).
🧱 Layered Compost Guide (Optimal Layer Thickness)
| Layer type | Material | Recommended thickness | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🪵 1. Base layer | Coarse branches, twigs | 10–15 cm | Ensures drainage and air access from below |
| 🍏 2. Green layer | Kitchen scraps, fresh grass | 3–5 cm | Provides moisture and nitrogen for microbes |
| 🍂 3. Brown layer | Dry leaves, shredded straw | 5–10 cm | Provides structure, prevents excess compaction |
| 💩 4. Activator | Tammaru Farm manure | 2–5 cm | Kickstarts fermentation and enriches with nutrients |
💡 Tip: Repeat layers 2, 3 and 4 until the bin is full. Turn the compost lightly once a
month to keep it aerated.
❄️ Winter Preparation for the Spring Season
Although composting activity slows down in winter due to the cold, this is actually the best
time to stock up on organic fertilizer. Tammaru Farm's bagged manure keeps for several
years without spoiling when stored in a dry place. By stocking up on manure in autumn or
winter, you can put your compost to work as soon as the first warm spell hits in spring.