Compost Glossary

Aerator - A compost aerator is a tool to loosen compost so air and water flows through. Batch Process - Composting a cubic yard of waste at once with no additions. Bin - Compost container to hold compost. Carbon Filters - Eliminates odors in composting bins. Compost - Dark, odorless, completely decayed organic matter. Compost Bucket/Crock - Odor-free kitchen compost bin for storing composting scraps. Compost Pile - Various organic materials for decomposition. Compost Spreader - Perforated metal cylinder for distributing compost. Compost Tumbler - Large-capacity bin on a base that rotates and mixes compost. Cubic Yard - 22 bushels, 500 lbs., or 27 cubic feet. Curing - Final stage of composting.

Decomposers - Microorganisms that break down natural organic materials.

Fast Composting - Method that produces finished compost in 60 days or less.

Friable Soil - Easily crumbled, healthy soil.

Fruit Fly Traps - Small receptacle using a vinegar solution to trap fruit flies.

Harvesting - Removing ready-to-use compost from the compost bin.

Hot Composting - Monitored pile is turned with each temperature change; compost reaches high temperatures and is ready for harvest in less than a month.

Indoor Composter - Automatically turns kitchen scraps to compost in 2 weeks.

In-Vessel Composting - System that mechanically agitates and aerates.

Leaf-Pile Composting - Passive composting method taking 3 years to complete.

Lime - Added to compost to increase pH.

Organic Matter - Living or once-living organisms broken down to vital, biodegradable plant nutrients.

Red Worms - Thrive in manure compost and garbage.

Screening - Sifting compost to improve consistency.

Slow Composting - Effortless composting with results in a year.

Soapstone Box - Holds fruit fly traps.

Stabilization - Stage where compost does not reheat or give off bad odors.

Stacking Compost Bin - Multiple bottomless tiers that expand compost box as needed.

Static-Pile Composting - Air circulating through compost piles to control oxygen and temperature levels.

Topdressing - Applying compost to surface soil.

Vermicomposting - Worms converting organic matter to castings.

Windrow System - Any length row of compost that is as wide as it is tall.

Worm Composter - Turning waste to compost using red worms.

Worm Castings - Worm excrement, rich in plant nutrients.