Sári Zsolt (szerk.): Komposztálás régen és ma. Skanzen füzetek 1. (Szentendre, Szabadtéri Néprajzi Múzeum, 2009)

• Treating the compost, the ripening process By preference the collected material should have direct contact with the soil and the organic material should be placed in layers. For a good ventilation, waste with loose consistency like straw or branches should be at the bottom. Mowed grass or other chopped green plants should cover this layer Compost consisting of mixed stuff decays faster Loose consistency is necessary for the ripening process because ventilation is needed in order to prevent rotting. If we see that rotting has started, the compost should be turned. We fasten the ripening when we mix some earth, dung or ripe humus between the layers. The microorganisms and worms living in them stimulate the decay. Fine sand or zeolite binds unpleasant smells. If we have too much of green waste, add some line or powdered lime into the compost in order to avoid acidifying. It is useful to pour once a while a pail of soft water on the compost in summer; but be careful because too much of humidity can stimulate rotting. We can protect the compost from rain by covering it with canvas or foil, or with a layer of fallen leaves in autumn. The compost is ripe after 9-12 months, when its colour has turned dark brown or black and its consistency has become loose. We remove from the humus plants which are not yet decayed and stones by using a sieve with big holes. We sift the humus used for seed sowing or flower pots through a finer sieve. The process can be fastened by turning the compost frequently (4-6 weeks) and by accelerators. The humus has to be mixed well with the upper layer of the seed-beds. It increases the soils water balance, the plants' resistance capacity and the soil structure will improve on the whole. • 17