Just started composting 2 weeks ago. I’m sure my ratio is off because it’s cold enough this morning to see my own breath but as I turn this compost, no heat is coming off of it.
Contains mostly grass clippings, fruit/veg scraps, and last years oak leaves/paper bags as the browns. I’ve dumped water on it a few times and stir it every few days.
Too much browns?
by toldzep
16 Comments
More everything. Piles don’t heat up if they’re small
Two weeks is not a lot of time, there’s probably just not enough volume yet. Backyard composting requires patience more than anything
Have you tried the R Kelly method
More of everything but specifically greens it looks dry
More volume.
It’s not a lot of time and that doesn’t look like a lot of compost
To get it to heat, you usually need at least a cubic yard/meter. I would just keep adding until you have that much and then keep adding more.
The compost pile has to be one cubic yard
Thanks for the tips, y’all. I know it’s a new pile and I am patient, I just didn’t realize sheer volume was required. Will add more clippings after cutting the grass today. Appreciate your help!
Are you putting a cover on it to keep the heat in
More greens, more browns, more air, more time, more moisture
It’s too small
Looks way too dry. Wet it down and add more greens
I put moist fresh cut grass, and it heats up within the day
I have a very similar setup. You need more water in it and keep it covered but with allowed air flow. I use an old rain barrel so the lid is perfect as it has a small screened section to let it vent.
you’re new here….tee hee…have you tried…hee hee…PEEING on it!
In all seriousness, more greens (aka nitrogen rich stuff) which urine happens to be. lawn clipping are another good source assuming they are not full of weed seeds (until you get it dialed cause hot composting will take care of seeds in your compost). You will want to add it slowly because too much greens and your pile will start to stink which you can fix by adding more browns (cardboard, dry leaves, fully dried plant material)