Edwin Marty is the co-founder and head of Jones Valley Urban Farm, a non-profit organization dedicated to reclaiming vacant urban lots and converting them to productive use. In addition to growing organic fruits, vegetables, and cut flowers, the urban farm is an important community resource that provides educational and economic opportunities in an urban setting. Edwin Marty is also a presenter at the 2008 Health Conference.

The Science of Composting
by Edwin Marty

1. The ideal mix for a compost pile should be:

a. 50 percent carbon and 50 percent nitrogen by volume.
b. 80 percent carbon and 20 percent nitrogen by volume.
c. 20 percent carbon and 80 percent nitrogen by volume.
d. 100 percent nitrogen by volume.


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2. Which of the following is an accurate description of a type of composting?

a. Hot compost, which is anaerobic
b. Cold compost, which is aerobic
c. Hot compost, which is aerobic
d. Cold compost, which is liquid compost


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3. With the addition of __________, carbon and nitrogen cause a chemical reaction that breaks down materials into soil.

a. sunlight
b. air and water
c. air and sunlight
d. water


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4. Which of the following is/are (a) benefit(s) of high temperature compost?

a. Nutrients are readily available to plants.
b. Moisture retention of soil is increased.
c. Most pathogens and weed seeds are destroyed.
d. All of the above.


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5. Since compost is __________, it’s environmentally appropriate to turn your __________ into fertilizer if you have a location to do so.

a. animal manure; cooked food scraps
b. cooked food scraps; lawn clippings
c. decomposed organic matter; fresh fruit and vegetable scraps
d. non–organic; weeds and leaves


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6. The nitrogen in a compost pile should come from:

a. grass and weeds.
b. straw and leaves.
c. wood chips.
d. water.


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7. It’s important to turn the compost pile because:

a. this slows down the break-down process.
b. this helps double the nitrogen component.
c. this helps the pile remain cool.
d. this reintroduces oxygen to the mixture.


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8. Most compost will take __________ to break down (or “cure”).

a. four weeks
b. two months
c. six months
d. one year


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9. True or False: Plants can grow in nothing but pure compost.

a. True
b. False


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10. You’ll know that the compost is ready to use when:

a. its temperature reaches 275° degrees Fahrenheit.
b. all of the original ingredients are indistinguishable.
c. it’s now in liquid form.
d. all of the above.


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