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Image: woodleywonderworkson Flickr
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Hot Compost Supplies
- Brown Ingredients
- Green Ingredients
- Straw or Brown Hay*
- Garden Soil (1 to 2 Shovels Worth)
- 3 foot x 3 foot Space for Compost Pile
List of Compost Ingredients - This post lists both brown
and green ingredients for an easy reference.
Steps to Make Hot Compost
Step 1: Make a Straw/Hay Base
Spread a layer of straw/hay in the 3' x 3' space. The
straw will act as a base for the pile and keep the rest of the ingredients off
of the ground. Make the base about 3 to 4 inches thick.
Step 2: Building the Pile
- Add green ingredients to the top of the base measuring a few inches thick
- Add a thin layer of soil over the greens
- Add a layer of brown materials (for larger materials such as dry leaves, shred them first so they’ll decompose faster)
- Moisten the compost pile
Tip: Keep a 3:1 ratio of brown ingredients to green
ingredients
Step 3: Growing the Hot Compost Pile
Continue adding layers in the order listed under step 2
topping off the brown materials with a thin layer of straw until the compost
pile is roughly 3 feet high. Add the layers as the ingredients become
available. It’s okay to stockpile ingredients in a separate pile for a short
period of time until enough of them have been collected to add to the pile.
FYI: The thin layer of straw helps to promote air
circulation throughout the hot compost pile.
Step 4: Turn the Pile
Turn the pile, a pitchfork works well, every 2 weeks. Make
sure the center of the pile is worked to the edges and the edges of the pile are worked to the center. Turning the pile helps promote air circulation and speeds
up the decomposition process.
Step 5: Water the Pile
Moisture is an important factor in hot composting. Keep
the pile moist but don’t over do it. The ingredients in the compost pile should
feel moist to the touch but not soggy.
Step 6: Use the Finished Compost
The center of the hot compost pile will decompose faster
than the edges. When the center turns into finished compost, scoop out the
material and leave the still decomposing edges in the pile. Use the unfinished
compost to start a new pile.
Signs the Compost Pile is Getting Hot
Steam is a good indication that the compost pile is
starting to get hot. Look for steam while mixing the pile for the first time. Earthworms
are also a good sign; not that the pile is getting hot but that it’s going to
start breaking down.
* Straw is sold at garden centers and mulch hay is
available from landscaping companies, farms and some construction companies.
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