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Compost Making: Some like it hot...Easy compost making: throw some organic matter in a pile and wait. ![]() Some years ago, hot composting came in vogue. This started the picture of the ideal compost pile: a mound of decomposing organic matter, steaming in the cool morning air. But if you take that picture forward, you will see the compost-master coming out with pitch fork to turn the pile. She'd check the temperature and moisture levels. She'd make sure her carbon to nitrogen levels were right. She'd have compost in weeks, but they were very busy weeks. Hot composting takes a lot of work. And so, over time, slow composting has gained status. Sure, the pile sits there a long time, but you're having a BBQ and drinking Margaritas while it does. There are many, many different theories, styles and techniques to composting making if you talk to the composting aficionados. But they boil down into 2 broad categories: hot (or fast) composting and cold (or slow) composting. Compost Making the Hot Way:
Gather your materials in one area and make sure you have about 2/3 brown materials (carbon) to 1/3 green (nitrogen). Have the materials cut into smaller pieces--the smaller the better. Small pieces are obviously easier to compost and they have many nicks and cuts which allow the bacteria and fungi to get started. ![]() Layer the brown and green material every few inches, adding water if necessary to have the dampness of a wrung out sponge. Add activator if desired. Now comes the work. Watch your pile heat up and 3 days later, turn it. 3 days later, turn again. Make sure your pile is 120° or more between turnings. Turn the pile every few days for the next couple of weeks. When the pile ceases heating up at all, you are done. This compost making process would be easier with a compost tumbler. Your pile would be smaller but you would not have as much pitch forking. Compost Making the Slow Way:
Gather your materials and have approximately the right balance of brown and green (link). Layer them while making sure the moisture level is good. When you have more, you can add more until your pile is about 1 cubic yard (1 cubic meter). Go listen to music and have a glass of wine. If you're feeling good and the weather is nice, turn your pile. If not, sit back down with a good book and relax. Compost making the "cool" way is also the lazy way. If you have the room for your pile to sit, this is absolutely the way to go. Return from "Compost Making--Some Like it Hot" to Home |
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