|
|
 | 
Go Back To Previous Page
Keeping a Hot Pile with the Compost Thermometer
Composting has never been this easy!
Why does this compost thermometer make it so easy?
Because temperature is the silver bullet in building and maintaining a successful compost pile. With a basic understanding of the temperature at the center of a compost pile you will know:
• when to turn your pile
• when to add more material
• when to water
• when your compost is done
The following guide to the three temperature zones on the thermometer dial will help you produce the finest quality compost for your garden and help save our environment!
What do I put in a compost pile?
A healthy compost pile includes similar amounts of nitrogen-rich material (greens) and carbon-rich materials (browns). Here is a small list of ingredients for your pile, and what not to include:
Greens:
• grass clippings
• fruit
• vegetables
• egg shells
• green garden waste
• pine needles
Browns:
• yard waste
• straw
• sawdust and ash
• wood chips
• coffee grounds
• breads
No-no's:
• oils and lards
• dog and cat manure
• dairy products
• meat
• weeds
• diseased plants
* remember, smaller pieces compost faster than larger pieces.
What do the temperature zones mean?
Steady Zone: 80 - 100 F.
The collaboration of bugs, worms, and microorganisms are slowly breaking down the rich organic material in the pile. Small compost piles will remain in the Steady Zone until it runs out of fuel or becomes too dry. If the inner pile temperature falls to within a few degrees of the ambient air temperature, you may need to add fuel, water, or turn the pile. If the material is dark brown and smells “earthy” then the compost is finished.
Active Zone: 100 - 130 F.
For most backyard piles this should be the zone you try to keep your pile in for the quickest composting. In this temperature range mostly all of the composting occurs at the microorganism level. Most insects and worms cannot withstand the heat of the pile and organic material breaks down by method of small organisms.
If your pile peaks into the Active Zone, then falls back into the Steady Zone, it's time to turn your pile. Move the material from the outside of the pile to the inside to induce further decomposition. The inside of the pile should be moderately damp. Keep in mind, the hotter your pile is, the more moisture it will lose; if you find dry spots while turning, add water.
Hot Zone: 130 - 160 F.
Congratulations, you are the envy of backyard composters everywhere! Only large piles (4' x 4' and larger) can obtain such high temperatures with nitrogen-rich materials such as grass clippings. In this zone the organic material is breaking down at a rapid rate as tiny microorganisms consume them. Be careful about temperatures exceeding the hot zone. IF the temperature climbs above 160 F. then split the pile in half and water it down. Temperatures above this zone can kill the microorganisms and there is the (rare) chance of the pile catching on fire (so if you burn your pile down, it's not like we didn't warn you!)
Related Products to this article
 Copyright © 2004-2006 Sparky Boy Enterprises. All rights reserved.
|
 |
|
