Are we talkiing months, days?
please help.
thanks
-
pixelphoto
- Senior Member
- Posts: 155
- Joined: Thu Apr 19, 2007 9:13 pm
- Location: Middle Georgia USA
No one can tell you a specific number of days because there are too many variables.
What you have in your compost pile and how much of each type of material and how big the piles it and what the outside temp is are play a big role in exactly when it will heat up.
I recommend a good combo or greens and browns add a little water as its been awful dry around my parts, moist but not soaking wet, turn over the pile a few times and let it sit and do its job. I normally on a good day have plenty of heat in three days sometimes more. Once again depends on the variables.
I would suggest buying a good compost thermometer that goes over 200 degrees F , and at least 16 inch probe to get good accurate readings.
What you have in your compost pile and how much of each type of material and how big the piles it and what the outside temp is are play a big role in exactly when it will heat up.
I recommend a good combo or greens and browns add a little water as its been awful dry around my parts, moist but not soaking wet, turn over the pile a few times and let it sit and do its job. I normally on a good day have plenty of heat in three days sometimes more. Once again depends on the variables.
I would suggest buying a good compost thermometer that goes over 200 degrees F , and at least 16 inch probe to get good accurate readings.
-
a white rabbit
- Full Member
- Posts: 11
- Joined: Mon May 07, 2007 11:16 am
- Location: ..under deconstruction at 6N124E..
OK, I had to LOL at peeing on a compost pile. I hadn't heard that before, but it makes sense. If you feel comfortable doing such a thing that is - contrary to popular opinion, urine is sterile and not really a contaminated waste product. I put the brakes on human manure tho. 
Most standard ways of heating up a compost pile is throwing greens on it - grass clippings, veggie scraps, etc. These heat up quickly, while your browns such as leaves and sticks tend to decompose very slowly.
Most standard ways of heating up a compost pile is throwing greens on it - grass clippings, veggie scraps, etc. These heat up quickly, while your browns such as leaves and sticks tend to decompose very slowly.
-
a white rabbit
- Full Member
- Posts: 11
- Joined: Mon May 07, 2007 11:16 am
- Location: ..under deconstruction at 6N124E..
Agreed.
A good book on the subject is the Rodale Book of Composting. It helped me understand what ratios to use, and why my pile wasn't heating at all (yeah, it was all LEAVES!)
I've created 3 different compost piles lately. One is huge that holds leaves for 2 years or so to create leaf mold. The second holds some leaves, mixed with grass clippings, coffee grounds, and some kitchen waste as a "normal" pile. The third is a worm bin, with layers of shredded newspaper and chopped kitchen scraps, covered over with more newspaper, to get really awesome worm compost.
A good book on the subject is the Rodale Book of Composting. It helped me understand what ratios to use, and why my pile wasn't heating at all (yeah, it was all LEAVES!)
I've created 3 different compost piles lately. One is huge that holds leaves for 2 years or so to create leaf mold. The second holds some leaves, mixed with grass clippings, coffee grounds, and some kitchen waste as a "normal" pile. The third is a worm bin, with layers of shredded newspaper and chopped kitchen scraps, covered over with more newspaper, to get really awesome worm compost.
-
a white rabbit
- Full Member
- Posts: 11
- Joined: Mon May 07, 2007 11:16 am
- Location: ..under deconstruction at 6N124E..