A compost calculator--easy to use

[cga]

Hope this is ok to post here. I found this compost calculator on Klickitat County, Washington soild waste site. Easy to use but not a lot of choice of materials. I suppose if you have something to compost and know the approximate C:N ratio, it should work.
https://www.klickitatcounty.org/SolidWaste/fileshtml/organics/compostCalc.htm

[webmaster]

Thanks for posting that, helpful links are always appreciated.

[cga]

Your welcome.

Thought it may be of some use to new composters.

[engineeredgarden]

that is definitely a cool calculator...

EG

[vermontkingdom]

Thanks CGA,
That link is also linked to one at Cornell University on the entire science of composting. Wow. I have been a fan of composting for 30 years and thought I knew most of what I should about the process. However, I've just spent two glorious hours this morning reading lots of relevant things at the Cornell site. It's absolutely fascinating.

[HBiscuit]

Thanks for this. We're going to be starting a compost and this will come in handy!

[cga]

Your welcome....

[Gary350]

That calculator does not include wood ash.

I have been experementing all summer. The more wood ash I put in a compost pile the faster it composts. I'm not sure why yet.

One large pile of compost mixed and divided into 3 piles. Then wood ash added to all 3 piles. Compost pile #2 has 2 times more wood ash than pile #1. Pile #3 and 3 times more wood ash than pile #1. All 3 piles are in full sun most of the day. Pile #3 has 3 times more wood ash than pile #1 it composts must faster than pile #1 and pile #2.

If it does not rain I make sure to give each pile the same amount of water.

Pile #3 is the smallest it has composted the most. Pile #2 is smaller than #1 but not as small as #3.

[cga]

Thats good to know. I heat with wood and always have lots of ash. I'll mix some in when I turn the pile in a day or so. How much should one add to a 4x4 pile?

[Gary350]

Thats good to know. I heat with wood and always have lots of ash. I'll mix some in when I turn the pile in a day or so. How much should one add to a 4x4 pile?

Here is what I did. Each mixture was measured a certain about of wood ash to 5 gallons of finely chopped compost. Mow compost with your lawn mower or pour it through your compost chopper this makes it easy to measure 5 gallon buckets full. Mix in wood ash stir well then pour it in your compost pile.

Pile #1 I added 1 pint mason jar of wood ash.

Pile #2 I added 2 pint jars of wood ash.

Pile #3 I added 3 pint jars of wood ash.

[cga]

Thanks