Compost Question...

[sandman23]

What is the best way to manage a compost pile? I am accumulating a lot of clippings and need to know if there is a way to speed up the decomposing process. I blow the pile frequently but thats all. Is there anything that I can add to the pile or spray on the pile?

[super1]

keep it moist and keep it turned....
good reading on composting
http://www.compostguide.com/

[sandman23]

That was a good read. Thanks super1.

[huh]

you need a nitrogen source like chicken, pig, cow crap, or food waste, urea (urine) ect. or you will never compost anything

you need to keep it moist and turn it every so often getting it to 140 degrees plus or it is not composting.....you can test it for nitorgen levels and I believe carbon content as well to seel how it is coming along

chicken crap needs to be monitored for phosphorus content and pig waste is especially "hot" with nitrogen so you need to makes sure it compost throughly so as not to burn plants

bark and bark ash will help with some bulk and keep it "airy" instead of like a hard rock or a musshy pile of crap and clippings so try and chip some trees and brush into it too when you add your nitrogen source

keeping it moist and keeping it properly turned is where most fail.....that is the only way for a consistant useable product VS something that has not composted on the top of the heap and is over composted, rotten mush below

[steve5966]

Here is what I do. End of season, pile all leaves, perennial cut backs and clippings. Sit and stare at it. Add water if it's dry. After a month turn the pile, add more water. If it gets too cold I'll cover it with black plastic. It should release a lot of steam when you turn it. I don't have a lot of time to work the pile so I try to turn it once a month. By april I have about thirty yards of decent compost. Not great but good enough to mix with soil for berms.
In the spring I start a new pile out of clippings and tear out materials. The compost we get out of it is not nearly as valuable as the savings from dumping fees.

[44DCNF]

If you have any horse stables near you check out their bedding material they clean out of the stalls. It should be a great addition to your pile, having straw, wood shavings, urea and manure. Coffee grounds are also a good ingredient and can be had for free from all the coffee shops. You can grab a bag every time you get a coffee. If you have any nut or cocoa processors in the area see if they give out the shells. If you have a chipper/shredder run your branches and shrub trimmings through them for quicker breakdown.