I recently built a new pile, maybe a month ago. It’s about 5 feet wide and 3 feet tall. I’m worried that maybe it’s too chunky? Like there’s a lot of wrist width sticks, bunches of unshredded leaves, and lots of grass. Any thoughts? and yes, I’ve peed on it.
by BostonFishGolf
7 Comments
Looks a bit airy and dry. I would take a push mower and ramp it up on that that repeatedly, add some more fresh grass clippings, rake it back into as tall and skinny of a heap as possible, and water it. The finer it’s minced the more reactive it will be.
Go to Starbucks. Get as much free coffee grounds as you can. Turn your pile fluffing it as you turn with your pitch fork. Make a small pile, Water, Add grounds, more greens, browns, turn grounds, greens, water turn until new pile is complete. Its best to use 3×3 or more enclosure. Either hardware cloth, chicken wire or pallets. Yes, urine can help. Turn every day for 18 days. You Want your pile moist but not pouring out when you grab and squeeze a handful. I cover mine with a tarp here in Michigan. We’ve gotten lots of rain. Good luck
Take out the sticks. Add more stuff, both greens and browns. Turn and water it at least weekly, more if you have time. Cover with a tarp for insulation. Just wait.
Build a square bin if you can. A freestanding pile doesn’t have as much structure or compactness to heat up. The center is the only part of the compost pile that really heats up to decompose.
That’s about what mine looks like. It doesn’t get hot, but it does decay, gradually. Since it looks pretty brown, you might try adding more greens.
Add more greens, pee on it, and call it naughty names while you’re peeing on it and it will get so hot.
Have you talked dirty to it?
Lowkey though have you felt it with your hand? I thought my pile wasn’t getting hot until I realized my thermometer wasn’t working straight out of the box.