{"id":11759,"date":"2022-03-09T05:21:54","date_gmt":"2022-03-09T05:21:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ecofamilylife.com\/?p=11759"},"modified":"2023-05-14T22:59:23","modified_gmt":"2023-05-14T22:59:23","slug":"difference-between-humus-and-compost-top-5","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ecofamilylife.com\/garden\/difference-between-humus-and-compost-top-5\/","title":{"rendered":"Difference Between Humus and Compost | Top 5 Key Differences"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
The main difference between compost and humus is that humus is that compost is formed through the aerobic decomposition of organic materials while humus is formed through the fermentation of organic material without oxygen. Humus is the fully broken down, final product of broken down organic materials which can take many years to make.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This article will explore the differences between humus and compost. This includes how they form, how to use them and the break down process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Check out my comparison table between humus and compost. The main difference between humus and compost is that humus is fully broken down organic matter while compost is mostly broken down. It will eventually turn into humus over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are the top differences in the way that humus and compost form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Humus forms naturally on forest floors where a range of organic materials fall and are broken down. It can be made up of dead leaf matter, animals, insects or fungi. Worms will mix this humus through the soil to improve it over time, provide trees with nitrogen and help to lighten the soil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Compost will form naturally on forest floors or in your gardens your mulch breaks down on your top soil. This forms when organic material is broken down by soil bacteria and worms with oxygen or aerobically.<\/p>\n\n\n\nDifferences Between Humus and Compost<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/td> Humus<\/td> Compost<\/td><\/tr> How it forms<\/td> Anaerobic fermentation (without oxygen)<\/td> Aerobic decomposition (with oxygen)<\/td><\/tr> What it looks like<\/td> Dark, crumbly soil, no large pieces<\/td> Soil like material, still contains some medium sized organic matter pieces<\/td><\/tr> Break down process<\/td> Fully digested organic material<\/td> Partly digested organic matter<\/td><\/tr> Continues to break down<\/td> No<\/td> Yes<\/td><\/tr> How long it takes to make<\/td> 2-3 years or more<\/td> 6-12 months<\/td><\/tr> Holds water in soil <\/td> Yes<\/td> Yes<\/td><\/tr> Loosens soil <\/td> Yes<\/td> Yes<\/td><\/tr> Adds nutrients<\/td> Yes<\/td> Yes<\/td><\/tr> Feeds worms and soil bacteria <\/td> No<\/td> Yes<\/td><\/tr> Contains nitrogen<\/td> Yes, high<\/td> Yes, small amounts<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n How humus and compost form \u2013 Key Differences<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Humus<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Compost<\/h3>\n\n\n\n