... 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 The practice of composting Organic material Micro-organisms Air Moisture Site of the compost heap Size and setting up of the heap 14 14 16 16 17 17 19 5 .1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 ... Fertilizing: the role of organic matter and compost Organic matter and soil processes Compost 8 3 .1 3.2 3.3 The composting process Heating phase Cooling down phase Maturation phase 11 12 13 13 4 .1 4.2 ... further The fine organic matter, and humus in particular, have the following properties: The preparation and use of compost ? it improves the soil structure ? it improves the resistance of the...