am I turning my compost too often
njitgrad
10 years ago
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Kimmsr
10 years agoseysonn
10 years agoRelated Discussions
Turning my compost...uugghhh
Comments (33)I built my bin years ago and never got the gumption to do anything but pile leaves in it, until recently. My spading fork, flatter tines, also pack full of leaves and is a pain, but I use it to loosen the pile and then turn with a shovel. Trading back and forth as needed. My 4x4x8 bin has doors in the front that I can move out of the way on my "from" side, while I hold the door closed on the "to" side, so that it can pile up with leaves and such without spilling out onto the ground. My big pile of leaves were not composting at all until I got interested enough to do it right, turning, adding water, so forth. The leaves had acted like a thatched roof, and rain had been shedding right off of it, keeping the inner portion bone dry and fresh as the day I put it in there. I was shocked to see how much it started cooking once I applied a little elbow grease and H2O. Now, I think I turn it too often. It barely has time to get a good head of steam before I disturb it again. I really MUST shell out the bucks for a thermometer. I think I've got the composting bug now....See MoreIs there such a thing as stirring compost TOO often?
Comments (7)Yes there is, although few people turn the compost that often. Most of the time new compost folks want to know why their tumbler/pile/composting method is not getting the heat they have heard about. Tumbler advertising may say temps can reach 165F. But temps will only rise quickly and to high point (say 130F to 165F in the warmer months) if the following conditions are met: 1) pile is big enough to retain heat 2) moisture is in proper range 3) small particle size 4) correct mix of C:N materials (greens to brown) I have had core (center of pile, that is where the compost thermometer is stuck for the best reading) temp of 165F after two days. Am I correct is thinking that a Earth Machine is more the slower digester type than the faster tumbler type? Some people will warn against high temps like 165F. But there is a big difference between a backyard composter with a starting core temp of 165 and a commercial operation with the same 165F. My bins are 4'by8'by2' high. If I get a starting core temp of 150F in the middle soon after making my compost pile of finely shredded fall leaves mixed with a little grass, all the better. So I turn the pile, and water it a bit. Each day I stick my $20 compost thermometer in, and check the core temp. And I turn and water as necessary. BUT each time it is a bit lower. So after a few week or months, the first stage of composting is thru. But should this be described as compost of 150F? No way. How about a mix of cold and hot compost, that would be more accurate....See MoreHow often do I turn tumbler?
Comments (4)Mine says 5 full revolutions a day, but had very little instruction on moister, or content, so I've just used previous experience and got it to what works, 2/3 brown, 1/3 green, water to keep moist but don't soak. Mine has very few drain holes for rain, so I need to add water by the opening. I actually prefer bins to a tumbler, because I always forget to turn it each day, though if you get it all perfect it makes compost fast, like in three weeks....See MoreHow Often Should I Water My Plants With Compost Tea?
Comments (4)Every day, if you have it. I use knee high stockings but only after I've been seen with them in the garden of course. 3pr/$1 at the $1store. Remove both ends of a can, inserted into the stocking while you add a pound or two of compost/manure. Use your fav search engine for many thousand more ideas. Then compile your very own 'recipe'. I don't think you'll go wrong. Good Luck, Gumby_CT...See Morerobertz6
10 years agoLloyd
10 years agoKimmsr
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10 years agoKimmsr
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10 years agoLloyd
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10 years agofloral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
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10 years agoKimmsr
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10 years ago
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