Compost

Today I had the joy of working on the garden compost with Shelby. When I say joy, I really mean it. I give this precision because I am renowned for not being good with smelly things. But, here, there was just the lovely smell of soil and hay.
So, we started with piling hay mixed with mycelium on top of the existing compost. Apparently, the combination improves the decomposition. Shelby gave me a detailed explanation about bacteria and how it breaks down the organic material. This is as far as I can remember, sorry, but in a nutshell, it reminded me of the bacteria in our stomach and the enzymes, breaking down our food with each element inside our guts working as a team in a joyful symphony.
Going back to the compost, we added the waste from the buckwheat which is a mix of leftover buckweat seeds and ambrose. Raph mentioned that this mix of buckweat and ambrose can get very hot when it sits in a compost, to the point where it could trigger a hay fire. So we took special care in the way we prepared the layers of the compost. When I put my hand in the pile of that mix of buckweat and Ambrose contained in the trailer, I could not believe how hot that was! Honestly, in the cold winter days, I could see myself swimming in it just to enjoy the warmth, specially since we don’t have any bath here!
Anyway, after a little bit of research, I found that compost piles can generate heat as microorganisms break down organic matter. If the pile becomes too compacted or if there is insufficient moisture, it can lead to overheat.
So, in order to minimise the risk of fire in compost, it's important to maintain proper aeration, moisture levels and regularly turning the compost can help manage temperature and ensure decomposition.
There we are, adding a layer of soil on top, then another layer of hay and finally, some dead leaves. A beautiful lasagna ready to cook!
It was a lovely moment to share together, under the drizzling light rain, chatting and “layering” away with that wonderful feeling that the summer is slowly giving away to autumn and we’ll soon be enjoying the joy of a warm cup of tea by the wooden stove.