Can we just spread the materials under trees and around gardens without making and working compost heaps first?
Its important to compost in separate areas for a number of reasons. It must be piled about three feet high or more to develop and retain heat to destroy harmful bacteria and to generate fungus and good bacteria. The key is developing enough heat, approx. 180oF for days, to convert microbes. Another important process is the very rapid growth of fungus, which produce antibiotics that destroy most harmful bacteria and break down the plant structures rapidly. Then the good soil bacteria and microorganisms begin to thrive and take over as the heap cools. A recent E. coli bacteria outbreak here was traced to manure placed beneath apple trees. The apples fell onto manure contaminated soils, were picked up, juiced and bottled without pasteurization.
