Testing The Compost Piles With A Microscope. Videos Included!
I Need To Successfully Complete One More Thermophilic Compost Pile
Two Compost Piles Down One To Go!
Well, I made a huge mis-calculation or something. I thought I needed to only do two thermophilic compost piles in succession for the Soil Food Web School's Consultant Training Program to pass the compost part. I was wrong I need to do three in succession. Part of my confusion was the way the handbook reads and the fact I accomplished more with this school in nine months than most do in one and a half years. I am burnt out so bad.
In the case of thermal composting, you are required to build two aerobic thermal compost piles, in succession (not consecutively), that meet the temperature/turning/time criteria and a third pile that meets the same criteria but that also meets the minimum biological requirements defined by Dr Ingham
- CTP Student Handbook 2022
Unfortunately, I need to wait until spring-ish to start my next compost pile. If I fail that one I need to start over again and try to do three successfully in a row. Honestly, I am so burnt out I kind of do not care. I am more focused on working and trying to find more work as I have recently picked up weekend work doing work for this union I guess I am still working for.
Do You See What I See?
Using my Compound Microscope, I tested these compost piles finally and recorded the results to the compost spreadsheets.
Compost Pile 2
I have to do three different tests; a nematode scan, a main assessment and a bacterial count to test the compost in order to quantify the microorganisms present.
Nematode Scan
Main Assessment
Bacteria Count
Results for Compost Pile 2
Compost Pile 3
I have to do three different tests; a nematode scan, a main assessment and a bacterial count to test the compost in order to quantify the microorganisms present.