TRENCH

COMPOSTING
Group 1 - BSA- 2C
TRENCH COMPOSTING
Trench compost is a simple composting method that
buries food waste and green plant materials in a hole
or trench. It is a great way to increase soil fertility and
deal with organic waste without much work. After 3 to
12 months, the buried material will have turned into
rich, dark compost, providing nutrients to nearby
plants. If you're planning to plant directly over the
trench, waiting at least 6 months is recommended to
ensure proper breakdown.
HISTORY
According to Mary H. Dyer, the origin of trench
composting is not clear but it is has been used for
thousand of years but it has been learned by Pilgrims
from the Native americans. Native americans mostly do
the trench composting before planting corn.

Trench composting was popularized by Masanobu

Fukuoka, a japanese farmer and philospher and Bill
Mollison,an australian ecologist and founder of
permaculture.
ADVANTAGES
• Space-saving: Trench composting is ideal for small gardens, as it eliminates the need
for a large, visible compost pile, freeing up valuable space for growing plants.
• Simplicity: Trench composting is a straightforward method, requiring minimal effort
and no need for turning or maintaining specific ratios of green and brown materials.
• Improved Soil Health: Burying organic matter in trenches enriches the soil with
nutrients and improves its structure, making it more fertile and able to retain
moisture.
• Reduced Labor: Once the compost is buried, there's no need to spread or move the
finished compost, as it's already incorporated into the soil.
• Moisture Retention: Trench composting is particularly beneficial in dry areas, as the
buried organic matter helps the soil retain more moisture.
• Worm Population Increase: Trench composting can encourage worm populations,
which further enhance soil health and decomposition.
• Effective for Certain Materials: Trench composting is a good option for burying
materials like meat scraps, dairy products, and cooked foods, which can attract
pests if left in open compost piles.
DISADVANTAGES
• Slow decomposition: Because there is little aeration, trench
composting decomposes more slowly than traditional compost piles.
• Space: You need space for the holes you dig.
• Digging: You need to dig a hole for each time you bury waste.
• Pests: Pests may dig up the trenches.
• Weed seeds: If the raw materials contain weed seeds, they will not be
destroyed in the trench composting process.
• Plant pathogens: If the raw materials contain plant pathogens, they
will not be destroyed in the trench composting process.
• Environmental impact: Trench composting is mainly anaerobic, which
means it releases more methane than aerobic composting.
• Wet ground: Trench composting is not suitable for wet, waterlogged
ground.
• Freezing ground: Digging holes can be tricky when the ground freezes.
MATERIALS
• Kitchen Scraps: Fruit and vegetable peels, coffee
grounds, and eggshells.
• Yard Waste: Grass clippings, leaves, and small
branches.
• Browns: Dry leaves, straw, and cardboard to balance
nitrogen-rich materials.
• Manure: Animal manure can be added to boost
nitrogen content.
• Soil: A layer of soil can be added to help with the
decomposition process.
TOOLS
• Shovels and Spades: Necessary for digging trenches
and incorporating materials into the soil.
• Garden Forks: Useful for turning and mixing compost
materials to ensure even decomposition.
• Watering Can or Hose: Essential for maintaining
adequate moisture levels in the compost.
• Wheelbarrow: For transporting compost materials to
the trench site.
• Rake: To level the soil after covering the trench.
STEPS
1.Dig a trench: Dig a trench,
about 12-18 inches deep, in
your garden, at least 6 inches
away from plants.
STEPS
2. Add organic materials: Place
green materials (kitchen scraps,
green plants, or grass clippings)
into the trench.
STEPS
3. Cover with soil: Cover the
materials with 6-8 inches of soil.
• Optional: Cover the open
trench with a board or dig a
new trench for each batch of
scraps.
STEPS
4. No maintenance: The trench is
left undisturbed, and the
materials decompose naturally.

5. Plant after decomposition:

After 3-6 months, the trench
area will be ready for planting.
STEPS
1. Dig a trench: Dig a trench,
about 12-18 inches deep, in
your garden, at least 6 inches
away from plants.
END PRODUCT
• Compost: The end product is compost, a
dark, crumbly, nutrient-rich soil
amendment that can be used to improve
soil health and fertility.
• Beneficial microbial activity: The
decomposition process creates a rich
environment for beneficial microorganisms,
which further enhance soil health.
• Improved soil structure: Compost
improves soil structure, water retention,
and aeration.
DECOMPOSTION
The decomposition of trench compost relies on
the microbes and bugs like worms.The soil
particles contribute on hanging on the nitrogen
that are produce by the decomposing materials
which produce the badsmell and methane
gas.The process is anaerobic which means there
is no present oxygen which needs microorganism
that can survive in less than 5% of oxygen.
REFERENCES:
• Plews Garden Design. (2023, January 3). Plews Garden Design |
Gardening lessons | Consultant | writer.
https://plewsgardendesign.co.uk/
• The Seed Collection Pty Ltd. (2022, May 26). Composting Made
Easy: Trench Composting | The Seed Collection. TheSeedCollection.
https://www.theseedcollection.com.au/blog/Composting-Made-
Easy-Trench-Composting
• Trench composting - Gardening at USask - College of Agriculture
and Bioresources. (2022, April 19). Gardening.
https://gardening.usask.ca/articles-and-lists/articles-
healthysoils/trenchcompost.php#:~:text=Dig%20a%20hold%20or%
20trench,off%20and%20hands%2Don%20composters.
REFERENCES:
• Trench composting - Gardening at USask - College of Agriculture and
Bioresources. (2022c, April 19). Gardening.
https://gardening.usask.ca/articles-and-lists/articles-
healthysoils/trenchcompost.php#:~:text=Trench%20compost%20relies%2
0directly%20on,as%20methane%20and%20bad%20smells.
• Browning, V. a. P. B. S. (2021, September 7). Trench composting – a simple
method of reusing kitchen waste. Acreage Life - Nebraska.
https://acreagenebraska.org/2021/09/07/trench-composting-a-simple-
method-of-reusing-kitchen-waste/
• Trench composting - Gardening at USask - College of Agriculture and
Bioresources. (2022, April 19). Gardening.
https://gardening.usask.ca/articles-and-lists/articles-
healthysoils/trenchcompost.php
THANK YOU
and let's continue to collaborate and
contribute to preserving our earth for a
better future.