They say you are what you eat, and compost is no different. Its biology reflects both the materials it’s fed and the environment it’s made in. Moisture, aeration, temperature, and feedstock all interact to determine the quality of the finished product.
Inputs matter. Adding gypsum contributes calcium and sulfur, while kelp meal provides potassium and a broad spectrum of trace minerals. Alfalfa adds nitrogen and growth-stimulating compounds. Each choice influences not only the nutrient profile of the compost, but also the community of microbes that break it down.
Still, it’s not a one-to-one transfer. Composting is a process of transformation. Microbes and worms take in the raw materials, repackage nutrients into their biomass, release gases, and build stable organic matter. The final compost is never identical to its inputs, but the inputs set the boundaries of what it can become.
This applies across all styles of composting: hot piles, static piles, worm bins, or continuous flow systems. No matter the method, the biology works with what you provide.
Choose your carbon. Choose your feed. Because in the end, compost isn’t random, it’s a living system shaped by your decisions.