The composting regime advocated by Wechmar (2010) and outlined here
involves a series of steps to ensure best results. The windrow (preferred name
for the compost site) is constructed on a 2 – 5% slope in the direction of the
prevailing wind. The length of the windrow is approximately 4 metres long, 2m
wide and at a height of 1,5m high and is built using various layers of organic
matter.
The first foundation layer is straw, followed by sawdust to soak up leachates from
the fresh pomace. Â Fresh pomace is placed directly onto the straw / sawdust layer
and a lime solution of approximately 2L/m3 is added to adjust the pH from around
4 to 7.   Fresh pomace generally has a low pH (3.5 – 3.8) which needs to be
adjusted to activate the microorganisms and ensure microbiological conversion.
Once the pomace is added to the foundation layers, inoculants are added to
introduce new microbes to the organic feedstock. The microbes work together to
break down cellular tissue and fibre to produce a humus-rich end product.
Microbes include bacteria, actinomycetes, fungi and nitrogen binding bacteria,
which ensure that available nitrogen is firmly bound for slow release into the soil
at a later stage. Â There are various inoculants available for composting and
selection thereof is based on the choice of organic material to be composted.
After the addition of inoculants, the following organic feedstock and additives are
added in varying amounts to increase the pH and C:N ratio9, thereby facilitating
effective composting; manure (cow or horse), greens such as herbs, botanicals,
flowers, clay, rockdust, Zeolite and ground seaweed kelp.
Successful composting relies on a non-toxic environment, thus the windrow
includes several chimneys constructed from natural reed, to allow oxygen to enter
at the top and CO2 to be released into the soil. An oxidative environment is thus
created and the build up of methane and other toxic gases such as ammonia
(NH3), hydrogen phosphide (PH3), hydrogen sulphide (SH2) and boron hydride
(BH3) is negated.
The temperature of the windrow in the first two weeks should be between 60 – 70
deg C to kill off weed seeds and pathogens and thereafter, it should remain
between 40 – 50 deg C to continue the breakdown of solubles. Temperatures
exceeding 70 deg C could result in combustion, destroying valuable organisms
and microbes.
Source: Waste Management in the South African Wine Industry – Catherine Dillon, 2011