Compost at Viña Cousiño Macul: Reuse of organic waste from source

At Viña Cousiño Macul, sustainability is part of our DNA, which is why our Agricultural Team is constantly developing projects that allow us to give a new life to our waste. This is how, since 2019, We started working on a circular system that allows us to reuse our organic waste through the process of decomposition of these. Thanks to this process, currently We generate approximately 500 tons of compost annually , which are then applied as fertilizer for our vines.

What is compost?

Compost is a product that It is obtained through the decomposition of organic waste , which It is used as a high quality natural fertilizer for plants, increasing the quantity and variety of nutrients in the soil and improving its fertility.

Our compost is composed of the 100% of organic waste that result from each of our harvests, such as pomace and stems. In addition, this mixture We add guano , which allows us to maintain a good proportion of carbon and nitrogen, which are essential for the waste decomposition process.

For approximately 6 months, we water this mixture to incorporate moisture and we turn it to reintegrate oxygen and homogenize the materials. During this process the internal color should be grayish, indicating that the bacteria are active and working on the decomposition of the waste and its temperature increases even up to 60°C.

The process ends when a homogeneous soil, of an attractive dark brown color that does not have a bad odor. Furthermore, when the bacteria begin to deactivate, the temperature drops to about 28° to 35°C.

At Viña Cousiño Macul we apply this compost to our vines just after the harvest , during the winter, since this is the time when they need to recover their nutrients and we also take advantage of the rains so that the soil absorbs this fertilizer better.

Benefits of compost:

• It reduces the amount of organic waste that goes to landfills. It also reduces the use of fossil fuels, since this waste does not have to be transported outside the vineyard.
• Reduce the use of agrochemicals in the vineyard.
• Prevents soil erosion, providing the nutrients necessary for the natural development of vines.
• It improves the soil structure, increasing porosity and therefore, improves and increases the root exploration and expansion of the plant.

Let's compost at home!

Nowadays, there are various ways to generate our own compost at home, with which you can give a new life to your organic waste and nourish your plants with a nutrient-rich fertilizer made by your own hands.

• First you must Buy a composter , which will be the container where you will deposit your organic waste. Today there are different models on the market that will adapt to your patio and even to your terrace if you live in an apartment.
• Learn to Select your organic waste, since not all food scraps are suitable. to become part of a compost. 
• Put your waste in the compost bin: You must interleave a layer of dry waste (dried plants, branches) with a layer of wet waste (peels, vegetables). Monitor the moisture of the mixture every two weeks, if it is too wet Add dry products and let it air out for longer. If it is very dry , you can add a little water.
• Compost It will be ready in 5 or 6 months and you can recognize it by taking a handful: it should be dark and moist, you should not recognize anything of what you have incorporated except some branches, and It should look and smell like natural soil .

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