Composting is an effective way to add nutrient-rich soil to flower beds, vegetable gardens and any other place plants are grown. Many claim that colloidal humus takes composting to the next level. However, finding out what colloidal humus does, and make it, can be difficult without having to spend money on an unfamiliar website.
The Argument for Colloidal Humus
Proponents of colloidal humus state that, while excellent in the short term, the fibrous, soil-like material you get from composting provides nutrients that are quickly washed away from the soil plants grow in. The result, they say, is weak plants that are relatively nutrient deprived. Colloidal humus is a solution to this problem. By breaking down the words, you can get a sense of what colloidal humus is: A colloid is a suspension of solids in liquids (such as butter or Jell-o, according to Hillary Rinaldi of the Weekend Gardener website), and humus is the end result of traditional composting (a very fine, nutrient-rich soil). Rinaldi, who is a certified organic grower, sums up the colloidal humus crowd's argument, stating "Colloidal humus compost feeds itself and the nutrients do not wash away because they are suspended in a colloid." The idea is that plants are able to access nutrients as they need them, rather than waiting for rain or watering to suspend nutrients in a form that can be readily absorbed into the root system.
Making Pure Colloidal Humus
Colloidal humus is created to some extent by regular, old-fashioned composting. Making pure colloidal humus takes a slightly different strategy. Rather than using bins, tumblers or other implements, you'll simply need at least one cubic yard of space (or more if you have room). For materials, Rinaldi suggests equal parts of nitrogen-rich and carbon-rich ingredients---think green materials and brown materials, respectively---and then 1/3 part fresh manure for enzymes, minerals and additional nutrients. These will be collected and kept separate until you are ready to begin composting. Additionally, Rinaldi recommends using straw in the mixture, so try to have straw or something fibrous on hand when you begin.
Maintain a Consistent Moisture Level
Once you've collected the ingredients, it's time to mix them together. Add all of the ingredients in the allotted space at once, adding enough water to bring the overall moisture level to that of "a wrung-out sponge," as Rinaldi puts it. Once the ingredients are thoroughly mixed, situate a core of straw vertically in the middle of the pile, then add small portions (handfuls) with a shovel throughout the mix. These straw pockets will allow air to circulate, aiding the fermentation process that leads to colloidal humus.
Wait Six Months
At this point, the task of creating colloidal humus becomes less strenuous than more traditional composting methods. You don't stir or turn your pile, which will save you a good bit of time and energy. However, during the six-month wait for the compost pile to decompose and transform into colloidal humus, you will need to monitor the moisture of the pile: always keep it at that "wrung-out sponge" level. As Rinaldi states, "wet [the pile] down when the weather is dry and put a cover over [it] when it's pouring rain." Six months later, you should have pure colloidal humus.
Using Colloidal Humus
The finished product will have a consistency like Silly Putty, and an earthy--but not pungent--aroma. Use colloidal humus the same as any other garden amendment: Mix the desired amount into the soil you'll be growing in. The colloids will help your soil retain water and provide a slow, steady release of nutrients that will feed the plants with the rich nutrients that were once your grass clippings, leaves and kitchen scraps.
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