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Logan Utah

what is the ideal heat to compost leaves, grassclippings etc

10/23/2007 12:18:34 AM

Rhode Island

kunz
the key is to turn the compost pike every couple weeks.
heat is generated by the breakdown of material inside the pile mixed with air.
heat depends on outside air temp and time of year.
in winter you might consider covering pile between turning with a tarp which would help hold some heat
pap

10/23/2007 7:04:53 AM

160 degrees at it's peak will toast the weed seeds and the "bad guys" if you have to add some N to get this go for it in any way you choose(it's a ratio thing between the "green and the brown" a light dusting of urea works as a kicker). The oxygen added with regular turnings speeds up the process as dick said. Once you hit that 160 mark it will start to cool on it's own,,in a perfect world when it has cooled it should set for another year.

I'm guessing that in ID you will need to insulate that pile in winter to keep it heating, straw or leaf layer on the outside. There are labs out there that test it if you REALLY want to know how you did,,,,

10/23/2007 7:15:21 AM