Lesson 13: Make your own compost Quiz

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In damp climates, why is it better not to lay undecomposed materials on the soil surface?

1 point

They smell unpleasant for a long time

They give shelter to slugs

They don’t decompose

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Which statement is true? Choose one answer only.

1 point

Organic matter is compost mixed with soil

Organic matter is compost, with extra nutrients from kitchen waste

Compost is organic matter in its freshest form

Compost is organic matter, in a stable, soil-enhancing form

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Compost is created by the breakdown of organic material, through which of the following? Choose the answer which covers the most possibilities.

1 point

Fungi and bacteria, then worms – all or any of these

Fungi

Brandling (red) worms

Bacteria

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During the compost making process, when are worms likely to appear in a compost heap? Choose two correct answers.

1 point

When only small and occasional additions mean little heat, therefore the heap behaves more like a wormery

After about a month, and when the temperature is high

As soon as you begin the heap

After bacterial decomposition has happened, and the temperature has fallen

Approximately which proportions of green and brown ingredients do you need in your compost heap, for steady decomposition without excessive heat?

1 point

It doesn’t really matter, as long as the moisture is right

75% green, 25% brown

50:50

25% green, 75% brown

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Which of these compost materials are mostly ‘green’? Choose five answers.

1 point

Horse poo

Coffee grounds

Grass cuttings

Kitchen scraps

Weed leaves

Soil

Cardboard

Which of these materials are approximately half green, half brown? Choose the answer which covers most possibilities.

1 point

Brassica stalks (e.g. broccoli), recently pulled

Weeds with soil on their roots

Prunings of new wood in summer

All of these

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Compost heaps, in the process of being assembled, may need to be watered at which of the following times?

1 point

As soon as the air temperature is regularly over 10°C (50°F)

When you add some paper or cardboard to a heap, and half of the other ingredients are fresh green leaves

During spells of hot summer weather, when you are adding few fresh, moist leaves

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Can you compost all parts of perennial weeds, including their roots?

1 point

Yes

Sometimes, but only if the weather is warm

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Heaps need to be hot (above 55°C/131°F) for roots of perennial weeds to die.

1 point

True

False

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How would you deal with diseased leaves?

1 point

Add them to the compost heap

Burn them

Create a separate heap to contain the disease

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Which are differences between hotter and cooler compost heaps? Choose the two correct statements.

1 point

The higher microbial count from cooler heaps (less than 50°C/122°F), especially of fungi, is excellent for soil biology

Temperatures above approx 55°C (131°F) kill most weed seeds

Cooler heaps have less worm activity

Hotter heaps create more fungi

How is it best to add materials to a larger compost heap?

1 point

In level layers

Piled in the centre of the heap, all mixed together

It doesn’t matter, just throw it on

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Over a period of say, three months, which of the following is it better to do?

1 point

Half fill a large compost bin/bay/heap

Completely fill a smaller compost bin/bay/heap

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For larger compost heaps, the most time-efficient way to improve quality (and save time later when spreading compost) is by doing which of the following?

1 point

Leaving it alone

Turning it twice

Turning it once

Doing extra watering

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