Pfeiffer Biodynamic Compost Starter | Instructions for Use

One unit (one ounce) of BD Compost Starter treats approximately 1 to 1.5 tons (or 1.5 to 2.25 cubic yards) of material. One ton will be a cube of material measuring on average 4.5’ x 4.5’ x 4.5’ for most materials intended for composting.

Activation

1. Moisten the BD Compost Starter in a flat pan or dish with just enough water to keep it moist and pasty. It will take a few minutes to get the powder moist; then it will absorb readily so that you may need to moisten it once more.
2. Allow the moistened Compost Starter to activate for approximately 12–16 hours or overnight.
3. Dilute the resultant paste-like substance in the desired quantity of water needed to thoroughly treat each layer of your compost pile. The particular quantity of water is immaterial; use an amount sufficient to moisten the material (up to 1.5 tons) in your pile.

Application:

1. Assemble all ingredients intended for composting, observing a carbon/nitrogen ratio between 15:1 and 25:1.
2. Remove the soil to a depth of the shovel from the area where the pile is to be placed, setting soil aside for use in building the compost pile and for covering it later.
3. Begin the first layer using heavier materials such as weed or plant stalks. This allows for better drainage and air circulation through the compost pile.
4. Build up each layer using same sequence of materials up to a height of four to five feet. A suggested sequence of layers is as follows:
   1. 3–6 inches of straw, leaves, weeds or other vegetable matter;
   2. 1 inch of hen manure or bedding from the barn – urine saturated straw, hay, or even wood chips can be placed in this manure category; 
   3. 1 inch or so of topsoil. Soil with sandy texture can be somewhat thicker, while clay soil should be applied in a somewhat thinner layer.
5. Finally, sprinkle a little lime, which will capture nitrogen more effectively. For grass clippings and other fresh vegetation, lime is highly recommended. If the pile will have a substantial manure component, lime may be omitted.
6. Sprinkle or spray the activated and diluted BD Compost Starter (see directions below) on each layer as the pile is constructed. The potent bacteria, enzymes, and other beneficial organisms in the BD Compost Starter will multiply by the billions as the compost matures. As the compost pile rises to a height of 4 to 5 feet, each layer should be built slightly smaller than the one below, allowing the pile to slope slightly inward toward the top. The top is hollowed out slightly to catch moisture from rain and snow. The exterior of the compost heap should be covered with a skin of soil, peat, straw, or hay to prevent the pile from losing moisture from excessive sun or wind. In large-scale operations, appropriate row cover material may be used.

IMPORTANT: If the job has to be interrupted, thoroughly stir the solution before resuming. Interruption of a few hours or overnight will not reduce the effectiveness. However, letting the solution stand several days will definitely alter its quality, potency, and ultimately the results. The BD Compost Starter has been dried without doing harm to its ingredients. As along as the product is kept in a dry, dark, cool place (not refrigerated), its shelf life is approximately 9 months to 2 years, or more.

Tips:

• For smaller applications, activate only the amount needed.
• Store unactivated product in a dry, dark place.
• Ensure that all materials added to the pile have sufficient moisture (50%+).
• For small amounts of materials, such as kitchen garbage and table scraps: Place BD Compost Starter in a pepper shaker and sprinkle it on the garbage as it leaves the kitchen. This will neutralize offensive odors and reduce pest interest, by causing the composting process to begin almost immediately.

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