(IPPM) in Vegetables - Vegetableipmasia.org

Resource Manual on IPPM in Rice
World Education Philippines, Inc.
5. How to Make Compost
a. Make the soil firm, and dig a trench around for excess water to flow into.
b. Stack up about six (6) inches high: grass; do not compress.
c. Put over the grass about 1-2 inches thick of animal manure. Urea or
ammonium sulfate, about 1-2 kilos may also be used if available.
d. Put one-inch thick of rich soil mixed with wood ashes, lime over the pile.
e. Repeat the process over the pile until about 1 1/2 meters high.
f. Water the pile to make it moist.
g. Thrust a pipe(s) or bamboo pole(s) with holes to allow air to penetrate the
bottom of the pile.
h. After three weeks, turn the compost over with the aid of a garden fork. This is
easily done by transferring into another pile so that the bottom layer will now
be on top, etc.
i. Turn the compost again bottom up after 5 weeks. Wait for 4 weeks more to
allow complete composting.
j. In hot weather, the compost must be watered. In rainy days, cover the compost
with banana leaves.
k. The pile of compost will be hot. This means that the bacteria in it are working.
l. Composting can also be hastened with a chemical for this purpose.
6. Making Compost in 14 Days
Nutrients in the soil get depleted gradually, so it is necessary to replenish these
with fertilizers. Natural fertilizers can be made without expenses, and their uses
does not harm the environment.
As farm wastes decompose, the carbon and oxygen mixed together cause the
wastes to heat up. Thus, six (6) part of straw and grasses (which are rich in
carbon) are mixed with one (1) part nitrogen-rich materials like ipil-ipil, hagonoy,
chicken manure and the like.
Materials
· Farm wastes: leaves, straw, hull, grasses/weeds) fresh and dried)
· Fresh animal manure: carabao/cow/horse/chicken manure, etc.
· Kerosene can or basket
· Eight (8) pieces posts from ipil-ipil, about 2" - 3" diameter, 5' high
· Bamboo
· Shovel, garden fork, bolo
Procedure
a) Select a shady place in your yard that is somewhat elevated and does not lodge
water.
b) Enclose about 5 ft square around the post; allow space for air at the bottom.
c) Preparation
First day
· Cut up into about 3" 4" the farm wastes
· Wet these or soak for 5minutes in water. If they are plenty, spray water
on the mound.
· Mix with equal amount of fresh animal manure; mix them well.
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