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Soil, Compost & Mulch

Qestion re: my hot (hopefully) pile

16 years ago

Thanks to some advice from some of you I have what I hope is a hot pile going. It was in a wire bin, but yesterday I acquired some pallets and built a new bin and re- piled for easier access for turning. This morning it seems quite warm in the middle so I'm hoping for the best. Now my question is this- a hot pile seems to be a "batch" thing as opposed to constantly adding and eventually getting compost which is what I've always done. What do I do now with all the green and brown scraps that I'll be accumulating as time goes on? Do I incorporate them into the pile as I turn it, or should I beginn a cold, passive pile? Thanks so much for any help.

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Comments (5)

kqcrna
16 years ago
Whatever you prefer. But at some point you have to stop adding to it and let it sit to finish maturing if you want to harvest the whole finished batch.

You could try adding to the top and harvesting from the bottom. Some people have said they do that, but I have never been able to do it that way. I let a batch sit to finish maturing, and start a new batch.

Karen
tiffy_z5_6_can
16 years ago
I keep adding until I can no longer 'work' it. Then another is started right next to it. There are four piles next to each other in the backyard along the forest line.

Another thing I'd like to point out is that you should leave the pile alone for a few days for the temps to climb and activate the microherd so they can do their job. When the temps start going down, then you can turn, add water if needed, throw in some more stuff, etc. Just leave it alone so it can do what you want it to do.

I just started a pile about a week ago and it has climbed to 130F and today is starting to fall again. On the weekend I'll be adding more stuff and turning it and watering. Then it will be left for another week. Nerxt weekend I may toss it into another section so I can start a new pile. It just goes on and on and on. :O)
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Ok, before anyone goes nuts and starts posting all the good and bad and everything in between, I've read all that! The question I have is can I add the poo NOW, or should I wait till I get more "browns" in this pile? I have 2 large dogs and DO plan on putting the poo in the pile (if the USDA thinks it's ok, then I can live with it)And I can't see saving all the other stuff from the landfills to just add other "crap" :) Vic Here is a link that might be useful: USDA Dog composting
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jay - you want it to breath and get air. If you do cover it, then do so loosely with a tarp or something similar just to keep excess rain from soaking the pile. Hitting 130 ÃÂ°F is good. If your mix and moisture are right, then with a pile ~ 3' high you should be reaching a bit higher - 150-160. But 130 is fine. A good pile ~ 3' high will only hold that high temp range for 5-7 days, then it will start to cool. When it starts to coll, then it's time to turn. After turning it should reheat. That will continue until the thermophiles have done there job, then it won't reheat much. For a pile your size that's probably ~ 3-4 turns if you had a good mix and keep the moisture about right. Then it's time to let is sit and cure, and start a new pile. If you don't want to turn it that often, no worries - it still works just fine, it will just take longer to get to good finished compost. A consideration is how patient you can be waiting for the product. At some point you will need to stop adding new material to it, and let it cure, while turning it maybe once a month, or never if you're really patient. It's a bit a personal thing - patience vs. need for speed. This post was edited by TXEB on Mon, Sep 2, 13 at 9:31
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arjo_reich
16 years ago
I keep mine in those scoopable kitty litter buckets. They hold in 100% as the kitchen scraps begin to break down and ferment, bokashi style, and let me "sit on them" until I need them. Had four of them after a six month period and added them all recently to the fresh "spring pile" - along with a ton of browns, heh.
gardenfanatic2003
16 years ago
I poke a hole and add kitchen stuff to the middle where it's hot. At least, that's what I did before I started vermicomposting. Now my outdoor piles get yard waste, and my worm bins get kitchen waste. That way I don't have to go outside when it's cold.

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Kimmsr
16 years ago
No matter what at some point in time, if you are ever going to use your compost in your garden, you need to stop adding material and allow the bacteria to finish what is there and start a new pile so at some point in time in the future you will have more compost to use.
With your compost pile I would stop adding to it and start another now.

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