The microorganisms in your compost pile need a certain amount of water and air to sustain them. If there is not enough air in a compost pile because of compaction, anaerobic airless decomposition occurs, producing an odor like that of rotting eggs.
These high temperatures are the key to killing weed seeds in a compost pile. To do this, use a hayfork, a shovel, a compost turner, or even a tiller to pull apart the layers and restack the contents, putting the newer materials in the center where they will break down more easily.
Blend the new, non-decomposed material into the existing, decomposed material to give it an even consistency. To increase the rate of decomposition, turn the pile weekly during the summer and monthly during the winter.
It takes between 90 and days to prepare good compost. If you have room, make three piles so you will have one ready to use, one being tilled, and one being filled up.
Your compost pile also needs the right amount of moisture. The primary reason for slower decomposition and lower temperatures in the center of the pile are anaerobic conditions. Unfortunately, there is no strict rule when and how often to turn compost pile during the process of decomposition. It primarily depends on:. However, everyday turning is not a good option too. It can disrupt the formation of actinomycetes and fungi necessary for the composting process.
At the same time, too frequent overturning the heap will prevent it from heating up properly. One of the excellent ways to check the temperature of your pile is to use a compost thermometer. When the temperature decreases to approximately F I like using a compost tumbler since its design makes overturning the compost pile more comfortable.
By purchasing one, you will avoid hard work and prevent soiling your clothing. Thanks to a convenient hand crank, the whole process is comfortable, clean, and a quite effortless. Experts believe that you should overturn your tumbler at least twice or three times a week. Avoid spinning it daily to give your compost a chance to reach an adequate temperature and decompose properly.
Also, the way how you turn your tumbler affects the material inside. Swing it a few times back-and-forth to shake up ingredients appropriately.
Models of a tumbler with an axle are an ideal solution since it will help to break up the material while turning. Every time you add new material in your compost pile, you will cool it down a bit.
I have read that some experts claim that regular overturning of your compost will help with the absorption of the new material quickly without slowing down the process of decomposing. You should wait at least two weeks between turns so that the center of the pile has time to heat back up and continue decomposing. Because turning your compost pile helps promote bacterial activity since the center eventually cools down without being mixed , frequent turnings help speed up the process.
The biggest benefit from turning your compost pile is directly correlated with when to turn compost. The more frequently you turn the pile with at least two weeks in between , the faster the decomposition process will be. Turning the pile allows air to flow through, providing oxygen to the microbes that aid in decomposition. Think of it in terms of a fire. Fires need air to burn.
The mixture of carbon and nitrogen materials in your compost pile is similar to a fire in that it needs air to continue on. As the pile decomposes, it shrinks because materials are breaking down. For this same reason, turning the pile helps speed up the process.
Once the center materials break down as much as possible, they will cool and the process will slow. Allowing new particles to be exposed will give decomposition a steady pace. Have you ever wondered why your compost pile smells so bad? Well, you might not be turning it enough. Moving the materials around and introducing more air will keep the materials from getting matted and allow the moisture to disperse a bit. The amount of time it takes your compost to decompose and the rate at which it decomposes depend on more than how often you turn your compost pile.
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