Don't go wrong again! Aerobic composting is the true form of composting

Many friends tend to fall into a key misconception when they first try composting: they think that simply stacking Kitchen Waste, dead branches, and leaves together and waiting for them to "rot" is enough, and they don't care whether oxygen is involved in the process. But in the end, it is often found that compost piles not only emit a pungent odor of rotten eggs, but also ferment at an absurdly slow speed, and even breed mosquitoes and attract pests - in fact, the core of the problem is that compost fermentation must be aerobic fermentation, and must not become anaerobic fermentation!

First understand: aerobic vs. anaerobic, the difference is not just in "oxygen"
To understand why composting requires good oxygen, one must first distinguish the essential difference between these two types of fermentation - they are like "two completely different decomposition paths", with vastly different final results:
Aerobic fermentation: Microbial "aerobic carnival" aerobic fermentation, in simple terms, is the process of aerobic microorganisms (such as Bacillus subtilis and actinomycetes) "breathing heavily" to decompose organic matter under sufficient oxygen, suitable temperature and humidity.
During this process, microorganisms efficiently decompose organic matter in kitchen waste (such as vegetable leaves and fruit peels) and cellulose in dead branches and leaves into high-quality Organic Fertilizers rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and humus. Moreover, due to sufficient oxygen, the metabolism of microorganisms produces mostly carbon dioxide and water, which not only has almost no odor, but also kills the eggs and bacteria in the raw materials, avoiding "root burning" during subsequent fertilization.
More importantly, aerobic fermentation is fast: under suitable conditions, soft and dark brown "black gold fertilizer" can be obtained in 3-4 months, which can make the soil looser and plants grow stronger.

Anaerobic fermentation: Microbial "anaerobic suffocation" refers to the decomposition of organic matter by anaerobic microorganisms (such as methanogens) in an oxygen deficient environment.
Due to the lack of oxygen participation, the decomposition efficiency of microorganisms will significantly decrease, and raw materials that could have rotted in one month may not be fully decomposed in six months. Even more troublesome is that anaerobic processes produce large amounts of foul smelling gases such as hydrogen sulfide (rotten egg odor) and ammonia, which not only pollute the environment and affect neighbors, but also inhibit plant growth; At the same time, harmful substances may remain in organic matter that has not been fully decomposed and can be directly used in the soil, which can easily lead to root rot and even the growth of miscellaneous bacteria.

Simply put, what is produced by anaerobic fermentation is not "fertilizer", but more like "decaying garbage", which completely violates the original intention of composting to "turn waste into treasure".
Why does composting have to be aerobic? Three core advantages cannot be hidden
Some people may ask, "Although anaerobic fermentation is smelly, isn't it more convenient to not care about oxygen?" In fact, the opposite is true. Aerobic composting may seem to require a bit of effort to control oxygen, but it can solve most of the problems in composting:
1. It is not smelly or dirty, and Home Composting can also be easily done. Many people dare not compost on balconies or in courtyards because they are afraid of the smell. As long as there is sufficient oxygen in aerobic composting, there will only be a slight "earthy smell" throughout the whole process. Even if composting boxes are used in closed balconies, the home will not be full of peculiar smell. On the other hand, anaerobic composting, even if the composting bucket is tightly covered, odors will still seep out from the gaps and attract fruit flies and cockroaches, which is completely unsuitable for household settings.

2. High fertilizer efficiency and safety, plants can eat with peace of mind. Aerobic fermentation can decompose organic matter more thoroughly, and the resulting humus can be directly absorbed by plant roots. Moreover, high temperature (the temperature can reach 55-65 ℃ during aerobic composting) can kill the eggs and mold spores in the raw materials, avoiding "worms in the fertilizer" and "diseases in the fertilizer".

If anaerobic fermentation "semi-finished products" are used, not only will nutrient release be slow, but residual organic acids and harmful substances will also burn the plant roots. For example, if a originally green potted plant is irrigated with anaerobic fertilizer and leaves turn yellow or wither, it is highly likely that this is the reason.
3. Environmentally friendly and efficient, reducing "hidden pollution". From an environmental perspective, aerobic fermentation can quickly recycle organic matter and reduce the amount of kitchen waste transported to landfills; Anaerobic fermentation produces a large amount of methane in anaerobic environments - methane has a greenhouse effect 28 times that of carbon dioxide, which is not only environmentally friendly but also causes "resource waste" (waste that could have been turned into fertilizer eventually becomes a source of pollution).

Finally, a reminder: Don't let laziness ruin compost
Many people turn compost into anaerobic, essentially 'wanting to slack off' - thinking that once it's done, there's no need to worry. But in fact, the "trouble" of aerobic composting lies only in the first few minutes of turning the compost (home composting) or the early equipment debugging and process monitoring (large factories), in exchange for odorless and efficient high-quality organic fertilizer. Whether it is planting potted plants, vegetable gardens, or large-scale agricultural planting, it can be of great use.
The next time you come into contact with compost, remember: Home compost "leaves air holes, matches the carbon nitrogen ratio, and regularly flips the compost", factory compost "selects equipment, controls parameters, and manages the process", and allows oxygen to fully participate. You will find that composting is actually a "clean and fulfilling" thing - after all, watching garbage turn into "black gold fertilizer" and growing green plants, this joy of "turning waste into treasure", can only be known after trying it