Making Compost: What To Do If Your Pile Isn't Heating Up!
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Date: 2022-07-18
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Comments and reviews: 15
Gardening
Thanks someone accidently placeda spray paint can in my pile must have been when i first started but any way though i initially thought i had went cold because i was not turn my pile over at all was peeing in it and adding s little water every now and then but was sure my neglect had me ice cold plus I'm in s trash can with two holes in the bottom corners and s drop cloth over the top slightly ajar nothing fancy when i tell you im on fire man decided to remove in wheel barrel and reconstruct with the layer method completely started over. Pitched fork a pile out and hear hissing in thinking snake so I'm panicked then out of no where boom granted i can't see because I'm in the game with black goal for ground midway up and hot? The can over heated and all i did was pull a pile out that happened to contain the pressurized can and then she blows scared the hell out of me then it made me feel really good because i was already in the game composting and didn't know it. Weird right but of course it starts to rain so i would have thought i was in trouble and rush to get everything back in the trash can but you showed me that the pile needs hydration so of course I'm playing in rain allowing layers to saturate but not too terribly i literally understand the science behind the process thankfully due to your demostration. I filled her back up brown green brown green with new veg majorly in the middle then continuef Pat t to top covered with layer of the compost then s thin layer of soil making sure to add a few worms and covered went back 10 later to adda new bucket of clippings and could feel the heat already just that quick. Again thanks I'm so excited about rotten veg crazy huh
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Thanks someone accidently placeda spray paint can in my pile must have been when i first started but any way though i initially thought i had went cold because i was not turn my pile over at all was peeing in it and adding s little water every now and then but was sure my neglect had me ice cold plus I'm in s trash can with two holes in the bottom corners and s drop cloth over the top slightly ajar nothing fancy when i tell you im on fire man decided to remove in wheel barrel and reconstruct with the layer method completely started over. Pitched fork a pile out and hear hissing in thinking snake so I'm panicked then out of no where boom granted i can't see because I'm in the game with black goal for ground midway up and hot? The can over heated and all i did was pull a pile out that happened to contain the pressurized can and then she blows scared the hell out of me then it made me feel really good because i was already in the game composting and didn't know it. Weird right but of course it starts to rain so i would have thought i was in trouble and rush to get everything back in the trash can but you showed me that the pile needs hydration so of course I'm playing in rain allowing layers to saturate but not too terribly i literally understand the science behind the process thankfully due to your demostration. I filled her back up brown green brown green with new veg majorly in the middle then continuef Pat t to top covered with layer of the compost then s thin layer of soil making sure to add a few worms and covered went back 10 later to adda new bucket of clippings and could feel the heat already just that quick. Again thanks I'm so excited about rotten veg crazy huh
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Don
Anyone: I'm trying to decide between a tumbler or a system similar to this. The 2-chamber tumblers in the $80-$100 range seem to be only 20 gallons per chamber. Is that enough space to get it up around 130 degrees? Even the ones near $400 seem to be well short of 27 cubic feet. (But some have insulation that seems to help raise/maintain temperature)
I'm thinking of using 4x4 feet square untreated boards-- perhaps coating with something like linseed oil (4x4 would later become raised beds, stacking them two or three high. Even 4x4x2 = 32 cubic feet, which seems like it may be a great size. Would the wood of the walls break down a lot quicker than if it was only used for raised beds?
If a $400 tumbler (such as the smaller Joraform) did the job quickly + well, while keeping everything contained and making it easier to turn the pile, I'd invest in that. I have a worm bin and I think I'm going to upscale that (multiple, or one huge one) to up to roughly 100 gallons of volume. The combination should be enough compost / worm castings for roughly 100 sq ft of raised beds as long as my inputs are good, right? (There is plenty kelp/seaweed nearby, so that is one source)
I'm in Central Coast CA, so our winters are mild. (mid-40s low in winter, on average) Would that factor into the decision of a system. Is it easier to heat up a $100 tumbler (without much insulation, or does the ambient temperature not matter much?
I'd love to learn others' experiences with tumble vs a tiered stack, like this one.
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Anyone: I'm trying to decide between a tumbler or a system similar to this. The 2-chamber tumblers in the $80-$100 range seem to be only 20 gallons per chamber. Is that enough space to get it up around 130 degrees? Even the ones near $400 seem to be well short of 27 cubic feet. (But some have insulation that seems to help raise/maintain temperature)
I'm thinking of using 4x4 feet square untreated boards-- perhaps coating with something like linseed oil (4x4 would later become raised beds, stacking them two or three high. Even 4x4x2 = 32 cubic feet, which seems like it may be a great size. Would the wood of the walls break down a lot quicker than if it was only used for raised beds?
If a $400 tumbler (such as the smaller Joraform) did the job quickly + well, while keeping everything contained and making it easier to turn the pile, I'd invest in that. I have a worm bin and I think I'm going to upscale that (multiple, or one huge one) to up to roughly 100 gallons of volume. The combination should be enough compost / worm castings for roughly 100 sq ft of raised beds as long as my inputs are good, right? (There is plenty kelp/seaweed nearby, so that is one source)
I'm in Central Coast CA, so our winters are mild. (mid-40s low in winter, on average) Would that factor into the decision of a system. Is it easier to heat up a $100 tumbler (without much insulation, or does the ambient temperature not matter much?
I'd love to learn others' experiences with tumble vs a tiered stack, like this one.
reply
Charlie
Oh man. You gotta shred that stuff! Get a used mulching mower toss all that stuff on the ground, add some wood chips and run over it a bunch of times. Problem solved. What I see in your pile is material that is practically still alive. You gotta break open those cellular structures to allow the microbes to access the material. The cell walls prevent them from doing that. Also, when you shred with a mower, it mixes all the C's with the N's intimately so the microbes have an ideal environment to operate within. You might think: I've done that before and it gets all slimy. That's because you don't have enough wood chips or leaves to absorb the excess moisture (and nitrogen) released when the cells are busted apart and then it goes anaerobic. I've got a 19 cubic yard pile of mostly wood chips (mass/area relationship) that got up to 169F which I know is too hot but this means a much smaller pile can easily go thermophilic using this technique. No smell, either. If anything it smells sweet but barely detectable. I live in frigid Alaska, so if it's possible here, it's possible almost anywhere.
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Oh man. You gotta shred that stuff! Get a used mulching mower toss all that stuff on the ground, add some wood chips and run over it a bunch of times. Problem solved. What I see in your pile is material that is practically still alive. You gotta break open those cellular structures to allow the microbes to access the material. The cell walls prevent them from doing that. Also, when you shred with a mower, it mixes all the C's with the N's intimately so the microbes have an ideal environment to operate within. You might think: I've done that before and it gets all slimy. That's because you don't have enough wood chips or leaves to absorb the excess moisture (and nitrogen) released when the cells are busted apart and then it goes anaerobic. I've got a 19 cubic yard pile of mostly wood chips (mass/area relationship) that got up to 169F which I know is too hot but this means a much smaller pile can easily go thermophilic using this technique. No smell, either. If anything it smells sweet but barely detectable. I live in frigid Alaska, so if it's possible here, it's possible almost anywhere.
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Mark
I had a lot of hay left from what I carved in those bales. I ran it all through the lawn mower twice. Same with some cardboard. A local restaurant saved me a bunch of egg shells and Starbucks had coffee grounds galore. I also added a bunch of green stuff. The pile heated up quite hot. I have been mixing/ turning the pile every day. I'm guessing when the whole thing won't get hot anymore then its finished. doesn't make sense to keep adding stuff to it because there will always be something not composted. Anyway, I'm learning too.
Asking neighbors for waste could be a hindrance. Especially when it comes to lawn grass. Don't want to use their poisoned grass clippings.
Keep em Komming, Kevin.
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I had a lot of hay left from what I carved in those bales. I ran it all through the lawn mower twice. Same with some cardboard. A local restaurant saved me a bunch of egg shells and Starbucks had coffee grounds galore. I also added a bunch of green stuff. The pile heated up quite hot. I have been mixing/ turning the pile every day. I'm guessing when the whole thing won't get hot anymore then its finished. doesn't make sense to keep adding stuff to it because there will always be something not composted. Anyway, I'm learning too.
Asking neighbors for waste could be a hindrance. Especially when it comes to lawn grass. Don't want to use their poisoned grass clippings.
Keep em Komming, Kevin.
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Charles
Condo Compost: I use a Walmart plastic garbage can with a lot of holes drilled all over, add equine pine nuggets (secret sauce, grass or brown leaves cut up, and starter soil. Most importantly I cut up all my fruit/veggie scraps with a scissors into little cubes so as to break it down into compost super FAST. I juice daily and the pulp is also used to feed the compost. Finally, I put a brick or 2x4 under the compost trash can to tilt it for better drainage. Every now and then I mix it up with a hoe or trowel from the bottom up to improve air flow. Tip: Rain water is 10x better than facet watering and produces a breakdown in a few days. Those microbes are like my pets, lol, so I feed them well.
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Condo Compost: I use a Walmart plastic garbage can with a lot of holes drilled all over, add equine pine nuggets (secret sauce, grass or brown leaves cut up, and starter soil. Most importantly I cut up all my fruit/veggie scraps with a scissors into little cubes so as to break it down into compost super FAST. I juice daily and the pulp is also used to feed the compost. Finally, I put a brick or 2x4 under the compost trash can to tilt it for better drainage. Every now and then I mix it up with a hoe or trowel from the bottom up to improve air flow. Tip: Rain water is 10x better than facet watering and produces a breakdown in a few days. Those microbes are like my pets, lol, so I feed them well.
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H.
So I have a problem with my 43 gallon tumbler (2 chambers, only one used atm. I tumble it really good about every other week. Its been raining a lot but it doesn't look like water is getting into it but everytime I check it everything is wet. I looked it up online and they say add more browns, but my trash bin (w/ lid) of just grass clipping is steaming freely despite the rain. The tumbler isn't warm at all. Steaming grass, wet compost bin. Do I just add browns to dry it up a bit or do I add greens to make it cook?
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So I have a problem with my 43 gallon tumbler (2 chambers, only one used atm. I tumble it really good about every other week. Its been raining a lot but it doesn't look like water is getting into it but everytime I check it everything is wet. I looked it up online and they say add more browns, but my trash bin (w/ lid) of just grass clipping is steaming freely despite the rain. The tumbler isn't warm at all. Steaming grass, wet compost bin. Do I just add browns to dry it up a bit or do I add greens to make it cook?
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Marineth
I have a compost that turns out to be clayish or clumpsy. I think I lack the carbon material (cardboard or carton) during the first few attempt to do a compost. I improve with the ratio now And the availability of carbon.
Question: Is there something I can do to amend it? I can hardly use it in my medium. (By the way, it is not hot compost before when I was making it. Or hardly saw it warms up)
Can I still have it Black Gold?
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I have a compost that turns out to be clayish or clumpsy. I think I lack the carbon material (cardboard or carton) during the first few attempt to do a compost. I improve with the ratio now And the availability of carbon.
Question: Is there something I can do to amend it? I can hardly use it in my medium. (By the way, it is not hot compost before when I was making it. Or hardly saw it warms up)
Can I still have it Black Gold?
reply
Pizza
I little bigger would be better. I build mine 6 feet wide and as high as I can. Usually about 4 to 5 feet tall. With the small size you will get a much smaller hot zone or no hot zone at all. Everything looks pretty good, just needs to be bigger. Maybe try spreading the straw out on the lawn and run over it with your mower with a bag. Starting with smaller material will speed things up for sure.
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I little bigger would be better. I build mine 6 feet wide and as high as I can. Usually about 4 to 5 feet tall. With the small size you will get a much smaller hot zone or no hot zone at all. Everything looks pretty good, just needs to be bigger. Maybe try spreading the straw out on the lawn and run over it with your mower with a bag. Starting with smaller material will speed things up for sure.
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darthvader5300
A really healthy compost is a HOT STEAMING COMPOST THAT KILLS EVERYTHING PATHOGENIC AND IS COMPOSED LARGELY OF FINELY CHIPPED AND PULVERIZED WOOD WASTES, FOREST WASTES, LEAVES, WOODY GRASSES LIKE SWITCHGRASSES, BAMBOO, ETC AND SPRAY IT WITH A FINE MIST OF WATER WHILE MIXING AND TURNING IT, NOT SOAKING WET BUT JUST MOIST AND DAMP ENOUGH TO START THE COMPOST FERMENTATION PROCESS.
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A really healthy compost is a HOT STEAMING COMPOST THAT KILLS EVERYTHING PATHOGENIC AND IS COMPOSED LARGELY OF FINELY CHIPPED AND PULVERIZED WOOD WASTES, FOREST WASTES, LEAVES, WOODY GRASSES LIKE SWITCHGRASSES, BAMBOO, ETC AND SPRAY IT WITH A FINE MIST OF WATER WHILE MIXING AND TURNING IT, NOT SOAKING WET BUT JUST MOIST AND DAMP ENOUGH TO START THE COMPOST FERMENTATION PROCESS.
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aaaa
Excellent video. Yup my pile had that steady 80. I disassembled the pile. Layered wheat straw, grass clippings, and ofcourse watering at every step. In 24 hours, 120F. 36 hours. 150F! I had to touch the thermometer and burn my hand to be sure lol.
Grass clippings, straw, water + my old pile = scaring me now: ) I will water the pile to keep the temp below 160.
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Excellent video. Yup my pile had that steady 80. I disassembled the pile. Layered wheat straw, grass clippings, and ofcourse watering at every step. In 24 hours, 120F. 36 hours. 150F! I had to touch the thermometer and burn my hand to be sure lol.
Grass clippings, straw, water + my old pile = scaring me now: ) I will water the pile to keep the temp below 160.
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Sea
Bucket composting at the moment (1 bucket. Temperatures are maintaining 99-103 degrees F and I wondered if it is doing what it is suppose to do? I picked some over hanging grass (green material) did not chop them smaller though so will do so next time. Got some dried banana leaves (didn't chop smaller either. I won't give up. Thanks for the tips and video.
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Bucket composting at the moment (1 bucket. Temperatures are maintaining 99-103 degrees F and I wondered if it is doing what it is suppose to do? I picked some over hanging grass (green material) did not chop them smaller though so will do so next time. Got some dried banana leaves (didn't chop smaller either. I won't give up. Thanks for the tips and video.
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misha
your compost needs a ratio of of 30 to 1, carbon/nitrogen (or brown/green. All things being equal (moisture and air) save your urine for 24 hours, then pour it in to your compost. 24 hours later, your compost will heat up, and, no, it won't smell. I think human urine contains 2% nitrogen.
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your compost needs a ratio of of 30 to 1, carbon/nitrogen (or brown/green. All things being equal (moisture and air) save your urine for 24 hours, then pour it in to your compost. 24 hours later, your compost will heat up, and, no, it won't smell. I think human urine contains 2% nitrogen.
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teelermeeler
you did a video, showing a tumble compost bin and you added some 'accelerator' to it and I cant find that video. but I wanted to know what the material was you added to the bin? I think it was some brown pellets or something, but cant remember specifically. Thank you for any help
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you did a video, showing a tumble compost bin and you added some 'accelerator' to it and I cant find that video. but I wanted to know what the material was you added to the bin? I think it was some brown pellets or something, but cant remember specifically. Thank you for any help
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Urban
If one is ever in need of a lot of greens to add (my yard is mostly shaded, so I have more leaves than I know what to do with, you can get all of the squeezed pulp from juice bars that you need. They produce a ton of it every week. It will charge your biochar as well.
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If one is ever in need of a lot of greens to add (my yard is mostly shaded, so I have more leaves than I know what to do with, you can get all of the squeezed pulp from juice bars that you need. They produce a ton of it every week. It will charge your biochar as well.
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handmade
Where can I get that bin you are using? I tried following the link to Amazon for it but that particular one isn't what came up. The link for the thermometer however was correct. I would love to have that bin. Thank you Epic Gardening
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Where can I get that bin you are using? I tried following the link to Amazon for it but that particular one isn't what came up. The link for the thermometer however was correct. I would love to have that bin. Thank you Epic Gardening
reply
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