Re: [compost_tea] Hot compost

From: <soilfoodweb_at_aol.com>
Date: Wed, 19 Jan 2005 05:30:29 EST



Judi wrote:

Here’s his starting recipe:
1/3 cow manure and rotted grass, 2/3 woody material, yard waste mostly fr=
om
shredded trees and branches

TOO high in manure! Should be no more than 25% manure. So no wonder the=
 
high temperatures.
 

When the pile cools, he plans to add a 1/3 volume of his own peat and spra=
y
compost tea while turning. The pile will probably heat up again. When
finished, the compost goes through a massive sifter to remove any stone an=
d large
particles.
The compost pile sits wall-to-wall on the floor of a five-sided barn, one=
 
side being open for access. Air pipes under the pile run about 8 hours p=
er
day. The compost is now about 140º F.

I have not had good luck with compost piles that are aerated with pipes. =
 
Just doesn't do the trick. The compost dries out around the pipes, doesn'=
t
aerate the whole pile adequately. The outside of the pile doesn't reach
temperature, which the inside gets too hot.
 
Turning is required to mix the hot spots and the cold spots. If he doesn'=
t
want to buy turning equipment, then have him do worm composting. Or use l=
ess
manure and pull the pipes out whenever the temperature gets too high (abov=
e
160 to 165 F) and turn mechanically.
 
Elaine
 
 

 







Received on Wed Jan 19 2005 - 06:33:12 EST

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