skip to main content

Soil, Compost & Mulch

Too hot?

12 years ago

I'm just wondering if 160 degrees is too hot, and if I should try to cool it down? I kind of went crazy this weekend with my new chipper/shredder (I got one just like Jon Hughes'!) and now I, too, have a steaming pile (well, not near the size...). Anyway, the thermometer which is usually between 100 - 140 degrees is slightly over 160. Any concerns, or should I just let it cool on its own?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

scotty66
12 years ago
unless it's catching on fire... your great :)

WIKI QUOTE:
Certain ratios of these materials will provide beneficial bacteria with the nutrients to work at a rate that will heat up the pile. In that process much water will be released as vapor ("steam"), and the oxygen will be quickly depleted, explaining the need to actively manage the pile. The hotter the pile gets, the more often added air and water is necessary; the air/water balance is critical to maintaining high temperatures (135Ã¯Â¿Â½-160Ã¯Â¿Â½ Fahrenheit) until the materials are broken down. At the same time, too much air or water also slows the process, as does too much carbon (or too little nitrogen).

Here is a link that might be useful: wikipedia compost link
shermthewerm
Original Author
12 years ago
Okay, thanks, Scotty! Catching fire was kind of on my mind. Your link sounds fairly reassuring.
Related Discussions
How hot is too hot for these veggies?
Q
Comments (12)
I'm in Sacramento too. Our heat is intermittent, so just keep your plants growing and flowering. They may not set fruit during the heat spells, but if you have more flowers comming when it cools off, you'll get plenty of veggies. Just remember that we're very close to some of the best tomato production areas in the world. It's a good place to grow tomatoes. Eggplants and Peppers seem more shallow-rooted than tomatoes. They love the heat, but they do best with slightly more frequent water (and plenty of mulch). Here is a link that might be useful: My blog
...See More
how hot is TOO hot?
Q
Comments (9)
Awww, that's nothin'! It can get over 100 here for days in a row, with a "break in the heat" being a dip down to 95 or so. This goes on for 3-4 months, with a long stretch of high 80's / mid 90's book-ending on both sides of the really hot part of summer. I wouldn't worry about those fluctuations from night to day, or day to day, that's natural. All of my plants are fine with it, except Fuchsia, but I don't think you have one of those anyway. Everything else grows like crazy in the summer. Nothing gets much sun from about noon-1:30, except Sans. Everything is placed to get either morning sun before that, or afternoon sun (a lot hotter, especially for roots in a dark pot.) When in doubt, go with morning if you have the option there. Back it up a bit if you see some sunburn. My plants have been outside since mid-March. Once they go out, they don't come back in except in the case of frost which, if I've decided correctly on which day to do this, won't be until winter. The weaker the sun rays are when they get out there, the easier it is for them to adjust to much more sun, gradually as its' angle changes. I know that's way too early there, but just wanted you to have the info for reference, confidence. And I know you're the type to take them in & out, very useful in Z4. Look how lucky we are, supposed to be cooler all week until the weekend! We've almost hit 100 here a couple times already. If you click the blue "monthly" at the left, check out the end of last month.
...See More
How hot is too hot?
Q
Comments (6)
70-75 is a good germination temp for most things but it needs to be consistent until they sprout. They may still sprout eventually but it will take much longer and you risk the seeds rotting without that consistent soil temperature. All you can do is give it a try. ;) Dave
...See More
How hot is too hot?
Q
Comments (6)
Hi Dave, It isn't too humid here...We really don't get too much humidity in Portland...sometimes when it gets really hot we may get a little but nothing like lets say Florida! :) It may get a little humid the next few days here since they are expecting T-storms and possible showers on Friday...but it has been relatively dry! :) Thanks for asking!
...See More
Kimmsr
12 years ago
Since I started making compost in the 1960's I have been told the optimal temperature range for the compost pile is 135 to 160 with 160 getting very close to the ignition temperature of that compost pile. That may well be why we have been told to turn the pile when the internal temperature reaches 160.

Here is a link that might be useful: Ignition temperature of compost
Lloyd
12 years ago
umm...kimmsr...that link is to Canada, we use Celsius up here. 150 Celsius = 302 Fahrenheit.

No compost will ever spontaneous ignite at 160 Fahrenheit.

Lloyd
shebear
12 years ago
Over 160 kills your heat loving bacteria and slows down the process. Turn the pile and cool it.
Nevermore44 - 6a
12 years ago
So my idea of cooking a whole chicken in the hot compost pile might work! Though the wife didn't seem to keen on it.
toxcrusadr
12 years ago
Yeah, it's like a crock pot in there!

I've had piles with too much grass go up to 180 before. The compost was fine but I could have added more browns to make better use of the greens.

While 160 (or even 180) theoretically will never catch fire, somehow compost piles do on occasion. They are usually big industrial ones, so you don't really have to worry at home. I do wonder how they catch fire at all. There must be something going on besides the overall temp - but that's what's so insidious about spontaneous combustion.
Lloyd
12 years ago
Tox, I think this is what you really meant...

"While 160 (or even 180) theoretically will never catch fire spontaneously combust...."

but some will misinterpret.

Lloyd

Related Stories

ORANGE Orange: Still Hot, Hot, Hot

By Shawn Gauthier

Get fired up to bring in more orange with energizing paint, furnishings, rugs and accessories

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING 12 Naturally Beautiful Hot Tubs

By Laura Gaskill

Prefer a no-plastic look for your patio or yard? Wood, stone and concrete make these hot tubs fit right in with nature

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING 13 New Ways to Make a Splash With a Hot Tub

By Amber Hopman

Check out the modern options and custom features that are making outdoor spa tubs hot again

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING 8 Ways to Beautifully Integrate an Outdoor Hot Tub

By Christine Tusher

Harmonize your hot tub with your landscape for good looks and great relaxation

KITCHEN DESIGN Hot Ideas and Tips for Coffee and Tea Stations

By Tiffany Carboni

Let options like drawer inserts and built-in coffeemakers percolate now, so your hot-drinks station can best serve holiday guests

How to Add a Hot Tub to Your Home

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: Hot Chocolate Station Fixings

By Elaina Verhoff

Treat family and guests to a fix of cocoa in a festive mug, accompanied by sweet somethings, from a well-stocked kitchen station

VALENTINE’S DAY Bar Cart 101: A Hot Chocolatey Cocktail for Your Valentine

By Ellie Lillstrom Photography

Create a bar cart with your favorite ingredients, then whip up this bourbon-laced hot cocoa to share on Valentine’s Day

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: Hot Air Balloons Help Decor Soar

By Mari Richards

Flying onto wallpaper, pillows, lighting and more, hot air balloons lift rooms up, up and away

SHOP HOUZZ Shop Houzz: Warm Up With a Hot Drink

With warm hands and hearts and hot drinks for all, you won’t mind what the weather’s doing

Sponsored

Dave Fox Design Build Remodelers

49 Reviews

Columbus Area's Luxury Design Build Firm | 17x Best of Houzz Winner!

More Discussions

food for earthwroms?

1

It's so awkward to bring this up, apropos of nothing,

16

growing grass after pine trees removed

4

Need advice - got into some ‘DIRT’

13

Buried concrete affecting pH?

0