Questions about compost heap

[Orrex]

Around October we set up a very basic compost pile: a small rectangular area enclosed by wooden posts and chicken wire. We put last autumn's leave into it, all of our compost-able kitchen scraps, and this season's grass clippings. I've turned it every now and again, and I've been gratified to see the level of breakdown already. Just yesterday I finally bought a pitchfork, so I can really dig in and stir the heap now.

How often should the heap be turned in this fashion?

How long does composting take before it yields something that's good to put into the garden?

[dgibby]

1. Here's some info that may help you.

http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/organic/msg1214252411790.html

Happy gardening!:hi:

[Orrex]

6. Cool--I'll give it a look!

Thanks!

[LeftyMom]

2. How often you turn and how long it takes depends on the temperature.

Your pile should break down much faster in the warmer months, and you should feel warmth coming off of it if you hold your hand over. Turn it more frequently when it's nice and warm in order to integrate whatever you're adding, infrequently when it's cool and not breaking things down quickly. How long is totally variable based on temperature, your setup, - when you have crumbly black stuff you're good.

As long as you've got good ratios of brown/green matter and you're not letting the pile get too wet or too dry the rest will pretty much take care of itself.

[Orrex]

5. I'm finding that the stuff that was underneath (until yesterday) is already breaking down

It's got that nice sort of proto-mud consistency and that rich compost-y smell.

Thanks for the advice!

[cwydro]

3. If you can get some worms to put in there

that will speed up the process and that worm shit is wonderful for plants!

[Orrex]

4. An interesting suggestion! But...

Since I'm turning the compost with a pitchfork, won't I be ripping my segmented little helpers into pieces?

[trof]

7. Nah. Worms are very flexible.

[sarge43]

8. Nope. But if you do introduce worms, don't put any more onion or

onion like, chives for example, scraps in the compost. Worms don't like 'em and won't stay.

[Orrex]

10. Not even with sour cream and a baked potato?

[sarge43]

11. I know, silly of them. Turning their noses up at such ambrosia,

but you know - worms, so picky. Only dirt will do.

/on edit/One another thing if you want to get serious about composting -- get a shredder. The finer the material, the quicker it will compost.

[LostinVA]

13. Read our blog -- we are vermicomposting

[midnight armadillo]

9. Time for you to read the Humanure Handbook

Now, I'm not suggesting you should compost your family's sewage, but the HH does contain an enormous wealth of knowledge on composting, what goes on in the pile, and what to do with it.

Even better, you can get the whole book online for free! http://www.jenkinspublishing.com/humanure_contents.html

[kentauros]

12. As the heap gets older and richer, a pitchfork may not be strong enough.

If you have a turning fork, that's often best, especially when turning a moist compost heap. There are special tools made for turning a compost, but I've never used anything but a turning fork :)




Here are some other fine links for compost information:
Composting
Making Compost

Hope that helps :)

p.s. : Have you ever watched the food show "Jamie at Home" ? I only recently discovered it thanks to my gf suggesting it and it's great! I just love that garden he has, not to mention the amount of energy he seems to have in cooking the fruits of his labors ;)

[Orrex]

14. Huh. How about that!

I guess what I have, then, is a turning fork. City boy that I am, I saw the implement at the store and figured it was either a trident or a pitchfork. However, since we don't get many wild narwhals around here, I assumed the latter.

Didn't realize there was a third choice, which appears to be what I have.


Thanks for the tips!

[kentauros]

15. You're welcome!

A trident would be cool, though; you could go as Danny Elfman for Halloween :evilgrin:

A turning fork is a must around here, assuming you don't want to breathe tiller-fumes while you attempt to turn the Gulf Coast gumbo soil, i.e., dark gray clay. I have learned in recent years that the best method in dealing with our "soil" is to not bother to till or turn it, but to just build raised beds and do French intensive (wide row) gardening. I've done raised beds before and will do it again when I have some land :)

I know not everyone wants to "invest" in good garden tools, but I do encourage it. They will literally last at least one lifetime and often get handed down from generation to generation. You'll know when you have one of that quality in your hands, but the British still make the best quality garden tools. If only they could make cars the same way... ;)

Good luck with your compost heap. It's always a wonderful feeling holding that rich crumbly product in your hands when it's all done :D

[csziggy]

16. The organic farmer that we're trading horse manure for veggie with

Told me that she has to get it to 130F and turn it five times in ?? number of days for her federal organic certification. I forgot how many days it has to stay hot and has to be turned.

While worms will help break it down, you don't want them in a hot compost pile - and if you are going to kill parasites, insect larva, and weed seeds, you need to have a hot pile. Once the pile has gone through the hot stage, you can put worms in to aerate and keep the compost good.