The pictured compost heap is turned whenever the temperature approaches 160 degrees F. Temperatures higher than this indicate conditions favorable to anaerobic (able to live without oxygen) instead of the more beneficial aerobic (need oxygen) bacteria. Interestingly, the bamboo poles running through the pile provide a way to estimate the temperature by hand. At 160 degrees F, one should not be able to touch the bamboo pole for more than a few seconds. The pile is watered to keep it at about 50% saturation; firmly squeezing a handful of soil/compost should produce a few drops of water.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Composting at ECHO
Heavy use of mulch and compost has always been a feature of ECHO's demonstration farm. In recent months, however, our farm manager (Danny Blank) has been focusing on making higher-quality compost using knowledge he gained from a study on soil biology. The goal is not necessarily to make enough compost to amend entire beds or blocks of land. We've been having success in our gardens using targeted applications of compost or worm castings. Targeted applications involve placing measured amounts of these amendments directly in the planting holes.
The pictured compost heap is turned whenever the temperature approaches 160 degrees F. Temperatures higher than this indicate conditions favorable to anaerobic (able to live without oxygen) instead of the more beneficial aerobic (need oxygen) bacteria. Interestingly, the bamboo poles running through the pile provide a way to estimate the temperature by hand. At 160 degrees F, one should not be able to touch the bamboo pole for more than a few seconds. The pile is watered to keep it at about 50% saturation; firmly squeezing a handful of soil/compost should produce a few drops of water.
The pictured compost heap is turned whenever the temperature approaches 160 degrees F. Temperatures higher than this indicate conditions favorable to anaerobic (able to live without oxygen) instead of the more beneficial aerobic (need oxygen) bacteria. Interestingly, the bamboo poles running through the pile provide a way to estimate the temperature by hand. At 160 degrees F, one should not be able to touch the bamboo pole for more than a few seconds. The pile is watered to keep it at about 50% saturation; firmly squeezing a handful of soil/compost should produce a few drops of water.
