It requires some special equipment, as well as time and diligence.
Too small and the pile won’t heat up sufficiently.
A good size for a pile orbin for hot compostingis at least four feet wide by four feet high.
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you might just heap the materials up, or use asimple wire fence bin.
Ideally, your pile should be 25 parts carbon to one part nitrogen.
Often, the easiest way to do this is to run a lawnmower over the ingredients a few times.
If possible, add a few shovelfuls of finished compost as an “activator.”
(Commercial activators are unnecessary.
Mix the ingredients together, water it so the ingredients are evenly moist, and let it sit.
Layering is not necessary and often makes the process take longer.
The optimal temperature for microbial activity is 130 to 140 degrees.
you might measure this with a soil/compost thermometer, or by simply sticking your hand into the pile.
If it’s uncomfortably hot, it’s at the right temperature.
At 130 to 140 degrees, microbes are breaking downorganic matterand reproducing at high rates.
This temperature is also hot enough to kill most weed seeds and harmful bacteria in the pile.
Monitor the temperature regularly, preferably daily.
Once the pile starts to cool down below 130 degrees, it’s time to turn the pile.
Turning the pile aerates it, which will kickstart microbial activity again.
Moisture is also essential.
The contents of your compost pile should feel like a sponge that has been wrung out well.
Too dry, and microbial activity will be diminished.
Cover with a tarp if rain is keeping the pile waterlogged.
