Producing compost

• Gardeners and farmers improve the quality of their soil by adding compost. compost is made from dead plants.
• Once spread on the soil, compost is broke down in to minerals by decomposing bacteria and fungi, as well by other organisms, like worms.
• Adding compost helps to recycle minerals so that they are absorbed by new plants and used in growth. It also improves the quality of the soil by increasing aeration and water retention.
• conditions that are controlled are:

  warmth

  moisture

  aerated
• Warmth- compost bins are usually black, which absorbs heat. heaps are often covered in an old piece of carpet to insulate the compost. once decomposition has started the temperature will increase because respiration is exothermic. as the microorganisms transfer energy to make ATP they transfer energy to the surroundings.
• Moist- water is added at regular intervals
• Aerated- the compost is regularly 'turned' with a garden fork to mix up the contents, prevent the contents becoming compacted and to introduce oxygen. Decomposition is faster in aerobic conditions as aerobic respiration transfers more energy (makes more ATP)