Hot Composting vs. Cold Composting

Hot composting is faster but requires attention to keep carbon and nitrogen in the optimum ratio

Whether you want quick consequence or are contented to letcompost“happen ” at its own speed , there is a method for you . Either way , you ’ll get a terrificsoilamendment for your garden .

Hot composting

A raging pile require enough high - nitrogenmaterials to get the pile to heat up . The ratio by volume should be 2 parts carbon to 1 part N . To aid indecomposition , keep the mixture as damp as a wrung - out sponge but not sopping moisture . A variety of different - size materials ( like twigs , stalks , stalk , or hay ) make air pockets . You also increase the aviation / oxygen central every time you turn the muckle .

If the pile is build correctly , it will heat up within 24 to 36 hour to the ideal temperature of 141 ° F to 155 ° F ( weed source and disease pathogen die at these temperatures ) and will assert its temperature for several mean solar day to a week or longer . Use a compost thermometer to monitor the temperature . If the temperature set off to strike down or if it suffer hot than 160 ° farad , plough the pile again and add water . This should be done several times . A hot atomic pile study more effort but will produce compost more quickly — in several week to several months .

Cold composting

A dusty pile need minimum attempt but may take a yr or two before it produces compost you may use in your garden . This method of compost has two step : Put your waste matter in a cumulation , and look . you could think of cold composting as the sum - as - you - have - material mint . The time require to have finished compost is strong to estimate because it depends on the materials in your peck and the size of the particles . The humble the particles , the faster they will demote down . Do not put in Mary Jane that have give-up the ghost to come or diseased plants . Without high temperature to obliterate off weed seeds or disease pathogen , you will be unfold these spoiled Guy around your landscape .

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