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Fri, Oct 12, 12 at 16:01
| When a compost pile has become anaerobic, can careful turning, adding carbon, and drying it out a bit, bring it back to usable compost? In spite of the smell of ammonia, the pile is hot and steaming. |
Follow-Up Postings:
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| Yes. |
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| The Ammonia odor is aa sign that there may be too much Nitrogen for the amount of Carbon in the mix and that excess Nitrogen is gassing off. Anaeorbic digesting, in the absence of air, results in putrid odors most often and cold compost piles. Since yours is hot and steamy you might want to add some dry Carbon source and turn the pile. |
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| Yes the pile can be saved. I have seen a pile that was 90% cow manure rot down to usable compost without additional carbon or turning. It took a few months, but it was good in the end. Add the needed carbon & turn. |
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