I started this pile in the fall and I've been adding to it all winter long. I live in the PNW so it stayed cold but above freezing all winter long. The pile itself maintained a 55-65 degree internal temp, but it hasn't gone above 75. I'm worried that it's stalled, and won't get up to the 160° magic temp to kill seeds and pathogens. The weather is heating up now, so maybe I just need to wait?
This is my first pile, so sorry if this is something stupid or obvious.
by Superb_End_2148
5 Comments
Looks like you need more greens or coffee grounds. Also looks a little too wet. Leaves that aren’t chopped up smaller will take a long time to decompose. And a pile doesn’t need to get to 160 to work. Cold composting works too. Let it sit longer and only turn it maybe once every 2 weeks. Give it 3 months and see how it goes.
Time, homie. Just needs more time. Give it half the season and check back. A little more airflow will speed it up
If you really want to kick it off, get lots of finely shredded greens or coffee grounds and add in bulk BUT before you do dump it onto a tarp to mix homogenously.
I would suggest find a sunny spot to heat but its the PNW so good luck with that lmao
Urea
Maybe some roadside trucker piss jugs might help.