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Rocky-r@stny.rr.com

Okay, some more questions on compost piles and how to get them cooking. I decided after some advice to keep the bacteria colonies happy by moving the pile once in a while in order to get them some oxygen, I would do it in layers. I decided to go with 3 bails of straw I had as my organic layer instead of leaves. Here is my pile and what do you think..

Bottom layer - 2500 pounds of pumpkins, this allows the pile to be elevated somewhat to get air into the bottom of the pile (for the time being that is)

Layer of manure next, remember, some of my manure had some serious saw dust in it, which was a big concern of mine. I had 2 truckloads of quality horse manure and 2 truckloads of 50/50 sawdust/manure mix. I tried to put equal amounts on each manure layer in my pile.

Next layer was a bail of straw.

back to manure, then straw, another manure, another straw, and topped with the balance of manure.

I must add that I did incorporate 15 gallons of molasses and water mixture on top of each level, giving the pile about 4 cups of molasses and near 60 gallons of water in a nice feeding mix for the bacteria. Pile was then covered with plastic to try and cook it up by spring.

Will the straw break down? The old pile I had moved was cooking pretty nice and had plenty of areas that were "black and gray" with the heat of composting along with a very strong smell of ammonia. New to this compost piling,,,, thx for all the help.

11/24/2007 4:33:15 PM

Johnston, R.I.

I think that it will break down provided you keep it a little moist and turn it occasionaly.

11/25/2007 5:58:58 AM

Yup, Norm hit it,,,the pumpkins on the bottom for air initially is ok but they will turn to "glop".

Turn the pile in a couple of weeks and it will supply the moisture that the pile needs for a bit. As the straw and sawdust suck it up you'll need to add more water or drench later in the winter.

11/25/2007 8:47:50 AM

President - GPC

Would you give it a drink of molasses?

11/26/2007 9:52:28 AM

Woodinville, WA, PNW zn 7b

Compost is a function of time. If you have time, you can lay up a big pile in no particular order, and let it cook without turning it, for a year. If you have room for two piles, one in progress, and another a year old and finished, you can save a lot of work for yourself and have a pile of black gold ready for your beds anytime. I used to work my pile to get it finished before spring, now I let nature and time do the work on a two-year cycle.

11/30/2007 12:24:37 AM

GE,,,in a number of posts now you have mentioned that a pile will turn to "compost" just sitting for a year.

I suggest that decay may occur in that method,,,but to have true finished compost you need to work that pile in order to reach an internal temp of 160F. If not you run the risk of the nastiest of fungals/bacteria surviving(E-coli for one), and weeds "gone wild" in your soil when not "cooking" the seeds.
For those that are learning about compost I suggest hitting google, select and read some of the hits from various accredited sources and then select what will work for you.

11/30/2007 8:49:25 AM

Garden State Pumpkins

I go with Dan here....where's your layer of green...without nitrogen the pile will go cold quickly!

3/2/2008 5:34:08 PM