Background: I’m pretty new at composting… I have a small, two bin set up on the north facing side of my garage that does see some sun, mostly in the late afternoon. I have only successfully made one “batch” of compost in it through much trial and error over the course of two summers. I managed to fill both sides before winter last fall of garden debris and straw mulch I pulled from some beds, so mostly browns I think (based mostly on the fact it stayed cold all fall and all through the winter into the spring). This past week I took it all out, and put it all back into the left side, layering with some spent coffee grounds and alfalfa pellets, watering as I went. I did cover it for a few days, as that seemed to help last year when I had a hard time getting it to heat up. Welp, yesterday it made it to 124° F and today it’s over 165°F. The decision paralysis comes from a history of whenever I’ve stirred the pile, it has immediately cooled down and stalled out. But this is too hot, correct? I have uncovered it, but what next? Stir, or no? Wait, do it right away? It is steaming really nicely and appears to be at a decent moisture content. Any and all help appreciated. Also to head this off before it starts- while I’d love to pee on it, 1) don’t feel that’s applicable at this particular juncture, and 2) our yard is VERY much so exposed to the suburban neighbors at all times of the day, and I’m not looking for myself or my husband to catch a charge, lol.
First photo is of my once successful efforts, 2nd photo was taken after getting the pile tucked in four days ago. (After I got it all layered up, some additional yard cleanup yielded a whole new mess of browns in the right bin)
by -just-here-to-lurk-
3 Comments
If you’re worried about it, being too hot, simply missed it with the hose for a minute or two. You don’t need to overthink it
You’re going to want to stir occasionally to keep it aerated anyways. I wouldn’t overthink having it “stall” for a day or two. It’s not that big of a deal. It’s worse if it over heats and kills off the microbes than for that digestion to cool off for a little bit. But even an overheat or combustion can be recovered quickly if you’re staying on top of it. Ultimately, this looks like an excellent design. The fact you’re regularly monitoring temps puts your process far above most others. Keep at it, you aren’t going to ruin it based on your statement here.
Compost can catch fire. Move it away from your house