A garden is only as good as the ground that it's planted in. Discussion forum for the many ways to improve the soil where we plant our gardens.
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March 29, 2016 | #1 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: central utah
Posts: 233
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sexy hot pile
Here is my newest compost pile consisting of 13 pickup loads of horse manure with wood shavings. I have added some sulphur as you can see and the temps are going up as we speak. About 120 deg F right now after two days.
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March 29, 2016 | #2 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: central utah
Posts: 233
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Last time I made one this big it got up around 140.
Check out the mountains in the background. That's our water for the summer. |
March 29, 2016 | #3 |
BANNED FOR LIFE
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 13,333
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I've never done the hot compost. It's going to be interesting to see this happen.
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March 29, 2016 | #4 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Illinois, zone 6
Posts: 8,407
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That is some hot s**t right there. Nicely done.
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March 29, 2016 | #5 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Zone 6a Denver North Metro
Posts: 1,910
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Looks medieval.
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March 29, 2016 | #6 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: AL
Posts: 1,993
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That is some big pile. Lots of shoveling too.
Looks good. : ) Do you have to add other stuff to it? I have read on here where some folks add molasses and other stuff. |
March 29, 2016 | #7 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Den of Drunken Fools
Posts: 38,539
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What is the sulfur for?
Worth. |
March 29, 2016 | #8 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: MA
Posts: 903
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Only here do people think a big pile of s**t is sexy.
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March 29, 2016 | #9 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: central utah
Posts: 233
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Worth,
My soil here is quite alkaline, ph about 8.5-good for asparagus and root crops but not so good for other stuff. The bacteria in the pile convert the sulfur into sulfuric acid and this acidifies the compost. I didn't measure the temp today but it's getting hotter. |
March 29, 2016 | #10 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Den of Drunken Fools
Posts: 38,539
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Quote:
I never thought about it until you mentioned it. Worth |
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March 29, 2016 | #11 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: central utah
Posts: 233
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Ricky,
That's funny, it does look medieval. Just some old pallets and a piece of plywood that I was going to burn. I started by making a pile on the ground but all around the edges there wasn't enough of the good stuff to keep the heat going, that's why I stacked it up like that. IF the timing works out, I am going to grab a bunch of it when it's at its hottest and bury it down below some tomatoes as an experiment. The ground around here is cold and has a hard time warming up even during the summer. Will post more pics later |
April 1, 2016 | #12 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: central utah
Posts: 233
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Temps
Check out the temp! 168deg F.
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April 1, 2016 | #13 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Den of Drunken Fools
Posts: 38,539
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I used to see steam coming out of fresh sawmill saw dust piles.
This is why you dont put green hay in a barn. Worth |
April 1, 2016 | #14 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: CT
Posts: 290
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Nice pile Berryman!! I haven't incorporated manure into my piles yet but it's definitely heating up nicely for ya! Just becareful as you don't want to get any higher than 150-55 as that is where beneficials will begin to die. It's a bit of work but I'd give it a turn to cool that baby down a little lol.. Good luck!
Ps: here's a source in relation to compost temps etc.. http://compost.css.cornell.edu/physics.html |
April 1, 2016 | #15 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: central utah
Posts: 233
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Good article Mike, thanks. I dug into the middle of the pile today and you are right, it's 180 in there. I'll do something about it tomorrow.
I figure that if the really hot part gets sterilized, when I turn it then it will probably recolonize with the beneficials again. bob |
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