Archive Tip of the Week
TIP OF THE WEEK
August 5, 2009
Keep Compost Cooking
Summer heat helps drive the process of decomposition in the compost pile, but without moisture and oxygen, that process will come to an abrupt halt. That’s because all the little critters that keep compost cooking properly require both H2O and O2 to survive.
So as you water your plants, don’t forget to water your compost pile as well. But don’t overdo it. Too much moisture can be as bad as too little, and can cause your compost to smell. Most references suggest that the ideal amount of moisture results in compost with the consistency of a wrung-out sponge, and that’s a pretty good rule of thumb.
If frequent rains are a problem (such as they were here in spring and continue to be in the Northeast, where summer has yet to arrive) cover your compost with a tarp or a thick layer of hay, straw, or shredded leaves to prevent the pile from becoming waterlogged.
To maintain good levels of oxygen in the pile, all you need to do is turn it, and the more often you turn it, the faster you’ll get finished compost. Regardless, try to turn it at least once a week.
I tend to tackle the two tasks at the same time. Once a week I turn the pile, and water along the way. If you simply water the compost at the surface, the water may not percolate into the depth of the pile
And by the way, when compost begins to smell, as in badly, it’s a sure sign that it’s time to provide oxygen and perhaps cut back on water. The reason has to do with a form of bacteria that don’t require oxygen, known as anaerobic bacteria. These bad boys give off ammonia, hydrogen sulfide (rotten eggs), cadaverine and putrescine as they do their thing, and those compounds are the source of the stink. If your pile still stinks a week after turning, add more carbon-based (brown) material such as leaves.
