The dirt will remain dirt and won't turn to compost. As it mixes with the organic matter, it will loosed somewhat, but it won't change into compost. I suspect it will stay about the way it is now. If anything, it'll get heavier, since the organic matter will decompose into less volume.

Is there a reason why you added all that dirt?

Karen

Karen, I had nowhere else to put the dirt, so I dumped it behind my shed. Same with everything else. The food scraps and grass and leaves did decompose quite a bit. Maybe I'll sift it all and topdress my lawn?

I don't know that there's anything wrong with "dirt".

At the least, it provides bulk, & here (in the clay capitol of the universe), it binds the other materials together.

I always add lots of dirt (soil) to our compost. Never a problem.

I add dirt to my pile... when I don't have any place to put it.

Usually, its potting soil; but sometimes it the dirt that I have removed for transplants. Last fall I put in three shrubs and two small trees...all of that dirt is in my compost bin.

As far as it getting lighter... I would probably just keeping add more organic matter and keep mixing it. It won't get "light" but it should "loosen up".

Well, no I really wouldn't keep mixing it because I am too lazy. But you can feel free to keep mixing if you want. :-)

I wasn't criticizing, just curious. Needing a place to dump it is a good reason.

That's probably a bit more than 50% compost. The dirt and water in the mix are going to make it heavy. It will still be good at loosening up soil.

-pH

I use dirt to cover my rotting greens to cover any smell (it does that perfectly) and add composting bugs. A light layer of dirt between greens and browns works great.

But, adding 4 wheelbarrows full will make it really heavy (as you've discovered) and might smother the good bugs when it's turned. I would also think that adding water (as needed) would cause all that dirt to clump, but I'm just guessing.

Unless it's totally mixed already, I'd try to leave most of the dirt at the bottom of the pile and just turn the greens and browns you have added to the pile. Like I said, a thin layer of dirt is a good thing, but mixing 4 wheelbarrows full is just making more work for you - with no real benefit.

I agree with recluse. Using the dirt to make layers in compost and to lightly cover hot greens puts billions of microbes and organisms to work for you in your pile. Piling 4 wheelbarrows of dirt gives you, well....dirt. I would set the dirt aside and use it sparingly in layers as you add browns and greens to your pile.