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Kebun-Kebun Bangsar Composting Process
Kebun-Kebun Bangsar Composting Process
Preface: Compost, in simple terms, is the food and nutrients needed to make our plants strong and healthy. In other words, it is often referred to as "black gold." As composting is a crucial aspect of our urban farm, we perform related tasks regularly to ensure the cycle of the process continues smoothly.
At Kebun-Kebun Bangsar, two main elements are used to create our compost:
Nitrogen-rich “green” materials: These include leaves, weeds, fruit and vegetable scraps, and cow manure.
Carbon-rich “brown” materials: These consist of dried leaves, wood branches, sawdust, and mulch.
By maintaining the correct balance of nitrogen and carbon, we produce nutrient-rich compost teeming with millions of microorganisms to nourish our plants.
The Composting Process: With the green and brown raw materials on hand, we start our composting process as follows:
Step 1 - Preparation: If the green materials are fibrous, thick, or harder to decompose, they are chopped into smaller pieces using a parang (machete). This speeds up decomposition by exposing more surface area to microbes. We typically set up cutting stations where volunteers can sit, chop plants and even enjoy a stress-relieving activity in the process!
Step 2 - Layering (The “Sandwich” Technique): In the first stage of composting, we use a layering method where green and brown materials are arranged in alternating layers, like a sandwich. This helps initiate the decomposition process. At our farm, this initial layering takes place in the first bin. Start with a layer of brown, followed by green, then brown again.
Step 3 - Turning the Compost: After a week of decomposition in the first bin, it is time to turn the compost by moving it into the second bin. This step requires careful handling, adequate labour, and proper ergonomics. To improve efficiency, a temporary “wall” is built at the front of the bin using the compost itself. This prevents the material from forming a slope, allowing for better storage and ensuring the compost stays in place during the turning process.
Step 4 - Progressing Through the Bins: The turning process is repeated weekly as the compost progresses through subsequent bins until it reaches the fourth and final bin. Here, the compost undergoes its final week of decomposition.
Step 5 - Sieving the Compost: After a week in the final bin, the compost is ready to be sieved. During this process, a sieve is set up and propped securely. The compost is sifted, much like flour, to separate the fine particles (ready for plant use) from larger, undecomposed pieces. The finer compost particles pass through the sieve, creating our prized "black gold," while the larger pieces—referred to as mulch—are returned to the first bin to serve as brown material for a new batch.
Step 6 - Bagging the Compost: The final step is the bagging process, which involves storing the finished compost in sacks for future use. The compost is carefully scooped and packed into bags to keep it clean and easy to distribute. At this stage, any leftover mulch from sieving is either bagged for use as mulch or returned to the first bin to be recycled into a fresh composting cycle with new green materials. This ensures no part of the compost goes to waste and completes the process efficiently.
Conclusion: At Kebun-Kebun Bangsar, our composting station produces up to 80 liters of finished compost every week, with the full process taking approximately 4 weeks. This is how we sustainably produce our compost, feeding our plants and nurturing the land.
Author: Yong Yew Ka (Yuka), 13 years old
Student at Fairview International School
Volunteer at KKB since Mar 2022
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