So this is my first year composting and I've definitely made mistakes. The pile went anaerobic from grass clippings over the summer and was stinky. I added grocery bags and cardboard but had a hard time finding browns. By mid october I was mixing in leaves daily. I started in April and early on it was steaming hot and from summer right up until a hard freeze it had tons of bot fly larva. Anyways, I will obviously screen this but with the pile seeming dead I'm wondering most of what I have is usable. I'm in zone 6 so the winters have freezing nights but it's above freezing in the day. Will this progress anymore? Should I dump it? Think I'll have compost by mid March?
by Funnyfart_420
3 Comments
Most likely yes for March, although in the winter months composting speeds are slower than during any other time fo year. When it thaws it should be able to resume at close to normal speeds. I wouldn’t be too worried. It just takes time. I recommend turning the pile to help speed it up, and get some mycelium going to help break it down even faster. Mycelium is the good kind of soil fungi that actually helps your compost and is actually still safe to use too. Maintain moisture and add in some nutrients. Fungi loves decaying matter and they respond well to light fertilizing. I always notice they grow like crazy whenever I put coffee grounds onto my compost pile. That is what I recommend for you. Dont give up just yet. You can do this.
A pile is never “dead”, you just need to add whatever it needs(browns or greens) well aerated and moist.
I have a huge pile, it’s now frozen. I can only add greens on top, but I’m not worried. As soon as we get warmer weather, I’ll turn it and compost will “reactivate”
Also keep in mind you need volume for compost, the heat needs volume (for lack of better terms)
I have that bin too and it won’t be ready. Hot Composting doesn’t happen in that size.