Any Trash Talkers? (aka Composting)

greenwitch
Fri, 03 Apr 2015 15:50:04 +0000

@jshain - I’m by no means a compost expert but someone gave me a compost thermometer and this is what it says on the package:

There are three temperature zones: Steady (80 - 100 degrees F), Active (100 - 130 degrees F), and Hot (130 - 160 degrees F).

Steady Zone 80 - 100 degrees F
The collaboration of bugs, worms, and microorganisms are slowly breaking down the rich organic material in the pile. Small compost piles will remain in the Steady Zone until it runs out of fuel or comes too dry. If the inner pile temperature falls to within a few degrees of the ambit air temperature, you may need to add fuel, water, or turn the pile. If the material is dark brown and smells earthy, then the compost is finished.

Active Zone 100 - 130 degrees F
For most backyard piles, this should be the zone you try to keep your pile in for the quickest composting. In this temperature range, mostly all of the composting occurs at the microorganism level. Most insects and worms cannot withstand the heat of the pile and the organic material breaks down by the method of small organisms.

If your pile peaks into the Active Zone, then falls back into the Steady Zone, it is time to turn your pile. Move the material from the outside of the pile to the inside to induce further decomposition. The inside of the pile should be moderately damp. Keep in mind, the hotter your pile is, the more moisture it will lose; if you find dry spots while turning, add water.

Hot Zone 130 - 160 degrees F
Congratulations, you are the envy of backyard com posters everywhere! Only large piles (4’x4’ and larger) can obtain such high temperatures with nitrogen-rich materials such as grass clipping. In this zone, the organic material is breaking down at a rapid rate as tiny microorganisms consume them. Be careful about temperatures exceeding that hot zone. If the temperature climbs above 160 degrees, split the pile in half and water it down. Temperatures above this zone can kill the microorganisms and there is the rare chance of the pile catching on fire.