A compost pile that is well constructed reaches temperatures internally of up to 130 F and even more helping to kill various weed seeds, insects, and disease pathogens that may be present in the pile. If you’re looking at having a heat compost of your own then I must say it needs correct management of nitrogen and carbon contents within the pile in order to emit the required heat. Compost piles that are hot breakdown the compost matter within two weeks, however, three months time is also pretty fast in terms of composting. When you plan to increase the speed of the process of heating the pile, the best way to go however at all times you must manage the quality of it and it also requires frequent maintenance. Are you looking at a way to heat your compost pile quickly? then you stop by the right place, we will be discussing how to best heat up compost fast. There all sort of things that you must consider, keep reading.
Always make sure to utilize materials that are small in size. Always cut the leaves into one inch each. Suppose you’re planning to add few branches to your pile then you will have to run these branches through the mulcher. Always remember that compostable materials if added in small pieces will break down faster in comparison to the larger ones.
Make sure you have a good balance between the browns and the greens. Green materials are high in nitrogen they include plant trimmings and grass clippings. However brown matter is always high in carbon they include materials like sawdust and dead leaves. While adding them alternate a layer of browns and greens. Each of them must be at least 4 inches thick. The carbon and nitrogen when well combined will always result in even composting and heating.
Make sure you sprinkle an inch of garden soil that is healthy between every layer in your pile. The soil from your garden holds microorganisms that are very beneficial to expedite the decomposition process in your compost pile. You can also add a cup of nitrogen fertilizer. This can be added to every layer of eight inches, this will increase the speed of heating.
Build your pile in layers of eight-inch, so that the pile well measure between three and five feet. It should not exceed a height of three feet. To make sure the pile has heat evenly distributed do not exceed the measurements discussed.
Always add water to your pile to keep it damp at all times however; avoid making it soggy. If the pile is dry, it will not heat up or compost. And if the file is soggy, it will slowly compost.
Make sure you spin or turn it once in three days and if you feel it’s dry make sure to water it. When you frequently turn your compost pile the water is distributed evenly and it also circulates oxygen within the bin which is very important for the process of composting.
Overall always remember if you want to heat your compost fast you would need four elements that include, bulk, bacteria, moisture, and nitrogen. Well, that’s all for this article folks and I do hope that these steps will help you to heat your compost fast. Happy composting!