Importance

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Abstract

A process for converting composted organic materials produced by optimized composting procedures into plant growing media for agronomic and other uses. The raw organic matter is first processed into compost by optimized standard methods. If desired, the raw organic matter can be of 'organic' sources to provide plant growing media certifiable for use for organically grown food crops. The finished compost is screened to remove coarse particles above about 1 cm diameter, which are recycled back to the composting process. The composted material below approximately 1 cm diameter is further screened to separate out the particles below about 1 cm diameter and above 1 mm. This material is further separated into two size ranges: particles between 1 mm and up to 4 mm diameter (medium), and particles between 4 mm and 1 cm diameter (coarse). The medium and coarse compost components are mixed together in various ratios with an appropriate amount of humified organic matter, which can be any suitable organic matter with a particle size of less than about 1 mm, and with a cation exchange capacity of from about 100 meq/100 g to about 400 meq/100 g, and an appropriate bulking agent to produce plant growing media. Suitable humified organic matter sources include compost, black earth, and low grade charcoal. Suitable bulking agents include one or more of shredded plastic, wood chips or brick fragments. The advantage of this invention is that it contains a significant amount of essential plant nutrients (NPK) due to the optimized composting process. In many cases, the amount of essential plant nutrients will be sufficient for commercial crop production. If desired, fertilizer is also added to provide a desired N:P:K ratio. The plant growth media can be used to grow crops and house plants.

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First Claim