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| I have a large batch of finished(?) compost. There is nothing recognisable in it. It's all crumbly, been cool for a few weeks, and smells wonderfully eArthy. I tend to add UCGs to my pile every week or two in order to heat it up but have restrained myself these last few weeks... I REALLY want to mix in some grounds and glory in my dominion over compostables. I enjoy watching the pile steam in the morning. My question: is there any harm in heating up the pile one last time? M |
Follow-Up Postings:
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| If all of the material has been digested adding a source of Nitrogen will do little to nothing to get the bacteria working again to get your compost to heat up. Putting the coffee grounds into the mix now could unbalance the nutrients of your compost which might create problems in the garden where that compost is used. |
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| Don't bother. What you've got is done. Use it and start a new pile - then you can watch that steam to your heart's content. |
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| Just to stir the pot a little: hot piles are unnecessary and possibly are a less effective way to use a given amount of biomass. |
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- Posted by toxcrusadr 5 (My Page) on Mon, Dec 10, 12 at 11:30
| Don't lose sight of the usefulness of the end product. And it's more useful if you use it when it's done rather than running a perpetual compost pile. Start a new one, and revel in the delicious product of the last one. |
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- Posted by mirendajean 8/9 Ireland (My Page) on Mon, Dec 10, 12 at 12:20
| Thanks guys. I gathered up the finished (I'm pretty sure it's finished) compost and moved it to another part of the garden to "cure". I have a relatively new hot pile but it had greatly reduced this week. I bulked it up today with.... Straw The pile is beautiful however I do not smell very nice right now. I'm off to the shower :-) M |
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| Show your proficiency by maintaining a medium warm pile for weeks or months at a time. I would rather have 100-135F for a long period rather than 165F for a shorter period. Each time you turn a pile, the new peak temp is a lower temp than the last, all things being equal. Don't expect to see the temp zoom up to 150F from 90F just because you are adding some new materials to a pile already a fair way thru the composting process. |
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| Hello everyone, first post. Getting the compost up to 150+ degrees is to kill pathogens. Most pathogens cannot stand a long period of high temperatures, at 165°F, I would expect pathogens to live for around 20 minutes. Stirring the pile, E.G. turning with a pitchfork, adds oxygen to the center of the pile, feeding the Thermophiles and heat. Letting the pile sit, will feed Mesophiles and slow the decomposition dramatically. Stirring every 3 or 4 days, I can finish a pile in a month's time. The only reason I see to replace/increase nitrogen in a semi or completely finished heap is to keep a running temperature. I do this with my cold frame to keep it from freezing inside. The pile is thrown up against a metal truck door on the back wall. It's now at 130°F from 150°F about a week ago. I can't tell you what the door temp is on the inside, it feels like a warm bath. |
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- Posted by mirendajean 8/9 Ireland (My Page) on Sun, Dec 16, 12 at 13:53
| Logically - I understand why compost heats up and how cool, fluffy compost is evidence that it's finished. I am on the side of turning and getting useable compost ASAP. I need to grow fruit and veg next year and compost is a necessity for me. I can't afford to purchase the amount of compost I would need for my home garden. Emotionally - I feel a deep sense of satisfaction when I build a pile that heats up quickly and sustains good temps. I get a steady stream of free UCGs and pet bedding that I keep adding to the pile and it feels good to see it steam. I've built a new pile (with a good variety of ingredients). Its a good size but its shrinking really quickly. I will keep adding to it until the "shrinked" height is 4' :-) This is my new pile freshly built... This is the new pile after a few days. It's already reduced by 1' and is all steamy. It's about 3' high now. I will add another 1 1/2 feet of UCGs and pet bedding this week... |
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- Posted by toxcrusadr 5 (My Page) on Mon, Dec 17, 12 at 11:16
| I was right where you are a few years ago, needing all the compost I could get. After amending the gardens for a few years, the demand is not nearly as high, so it's easier to slow down and do more lazy composting. All depends on what your needs are. CapnChkn - Welcome to the forum! |
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