I talked about the importance of keeping compost aerated in my Beginners Guide to Composting. This is important because the bacteria that break down the waste need oxygen to survive.
One of the ways that you can aerate the contents of your compost bin and thereby speed up the whole process is to turn the contents regularly.
In your compost heap the central area (the hottest part) will always be the most composted with the cooler outer areas being less so.
As to when, you should turn your compost heap a few weeks after you have finished adding material to it. If you are really keen you can turn it on a weekly basis which will speed up the whole process considerably.
To turn the heap, remove the contents, mix it up and return to the bin.
You will now find that you have introduced lots of air and less well composted material will make its way into the centre of the heap.
Turning a compost heap will also disturb any unwanted rodents lurking in the heap and help to move them on to pastures new.
One of the ways that you can aerate the contents of your compost bin and thereby speed up the whole process is to turn the contents regularly.
In your compost heap the central area (the hottest part) will always be the most composted with the cooler outer areas being less so.
As to when, you should turn your compost heap a few weeks after you have finished adding material to it. If you are really keen you can turn it on a weekly basis which will speed up the whole process considerably.
To turn the heap, remove the contents, mix it up and return to the bin.
You will now find that you have introduced lots of air and less well composted material will make its way into the centre of the heap.
Turning a compost heap will also disturb any unwanted rodents lurking in the heap and help to move them on to pastures new.
2 comments:
I have tried so many times to have a compost heap. I had one going well for a while. Then I turned it... Not sure what I did wrong, but the process slowed and I never got it really going again. I have a very successful worm bin though. In fact, it is almost time to harvest the proceeds.
Also, this article is included in the
Dirty Fingers carnival. Thanks for submitting it!
Hi Jason,
There is quite a lot of skill in getting compost right (I have had some real disasters in my time!), but when you do get it right - WOW! Thanks for including my article in your carnival.
Post a Comment