Facilitators-Handbook-For-Permaculture

Workshop Module 4: Healthy Soil 127

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Presentation : Various natural fertilizing techniques

Method : Facilitator presentation

Tools : Images of various compost and liquid fertilizers being made and used

References : PC Book MOD 4 - Healthy Soil

Objective : Participants learn about various compost and liquid fertilizer techniques

There are 6 different methods of composting, plus explanations about liquid fertilizer,

described in PC Book MOD 4 – Healthy Soil.

They are

1. Quick compost heaps - Made all at once with many different materials, turned
   after 2 weeks, ready to use in 1 month. Excellent for home gardens and intensive
   agriculture.


2. Slow composts - Continuously made over time, usually are made larger than
   quick compost heaps. Excellent for farms and larger crops.


3. Compost baskets and trenches - Part of the garden beds or next to fruit trees,
   partly in the ground and partly above the ground, provides a constant supply of
   nutrients to plants through the soil as well as compost to use on top of garden
   beds.


4. Banana pit or pit composting - A large pit for making slow compost. The
   compost will continuously feed bananas or any plants growing around the pit.
   When ready the compost can be removed to use in other places.


5. Direct composting - Quick compost made in a place where a garden bed will
   be made or a fruit tree will be planted. The soil and new plants will have a good
   supply of plant food and soil biota from the compost.


6. Liquid fertilizer - Plant food and good bacteria in a liquid form. Great for fast

results and for covering large areas of land.