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Current date/time is 4/26/2024, 12:41 pm
Search found 107 matches for 2
TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer
Looks like it will be a slow climb to higher temperatures for Bin #1. After turning yesterday it was at 69F and now, over 24 hours later, it has only managed to get up to 73F.Bin #2 continues its temperature decline and is now at 82F.
- on 6/4/2017, 3:37 pm
- Search in: General SFG Talk
- Topic: TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer
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TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer
sanderson wrote:Bin #1 is doing pretty good. I know it is hard to turn properly every other day, but I think you would have had a banner Berkeley batch. My restarted Berkeley never took off. Maybe the contents were further along in composting to heat up, even with blood meal. It s now topping off all the beds as mulch.
Bin #2. When will you finish adding material? The temps have been good for a bin.
Bin #1 - There have been too many other things going on so I did not have time to turn it frequently. Plus the weather has been wet. If it does not heat up well after yesterday's turning I may let it cool and then screen the contents for compost. The leftover big stuff will be used for top dressing as you did. Then I'll try to start a new pile with the leaves I saved from last year, plus grass clippings, coffee grounds, a little horse manure, etc.
Bin #2 - I think I'll leave it for a few days then empty and screen the contents. Hopefully there will be some compost that I can use.
- on 6/4/2017, 6:46 am
- Search in: General SFG Talk
- Topic: TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer
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TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer
Bin #1 is doing pretty good. I know it is hard to turn properly every other day, but I think you would have had a banner Berkeley batch. My restarted Berkeley never took off. Maybe the contents were further along in composting to heat up, even with blood meal. It s now topping off all the beds as mulch.
Bin #2. When will you finish adding material? The temps have been good for a bin.
- on 6/4/2017, 2:01 am
- Search in: General SFG Talk
- Topic: TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer
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TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer
The cool ambient temperature and wind, plus available time, has made June 3rd a good day for turning the contents of Bin #1. By my count this is day 25 for this bin.Bin #1 105F before turning and 69F after turning. Outside ambient temp 57F.
Bin #2 87F. I need to decide what to do with the contents of this bin. I usually add kitchen scraps on a regular basis but have not done that for some time.
- on 6/3/2017, 12:32 pm
- Search in: General SFG Talk
- Topic: TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer
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- on 6/2/2017, 12:15 pm
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- Topic: TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer
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TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer
June 1st temps are Bin #1 - 128F and Bin #2 - 102F.Yesterdays poking and stirring did not stop the temperature decline.
- on 6/1/2017, 2:45 pm
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- Topic: TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer
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TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer
Bin #1 131F and Bin #2 107F.After taking the temperature measurements I used a length of reinforcing rod to poke holes in the compost material and stir the material a bit by moving the rod around in a widening circle in each hole. I did this for both bins since I don't have time right now to turn the materials properly.
- on 5/31/2017, 2:09 pm
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TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer
Bin #1 is down to 134F. It needs turning but I don't have time and there is a threat of more rain and thunderstorms. Would not be good to get it half done and then soaking wet.Bin #2 slipped slightly to 112F from 115F.
- on 5/30/2017, 2:15 pm
- Search in: General SFG Talk
- Topic: TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer
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- on 5/29/2017, 5:31 pm
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- Topic: TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer
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- on 5/28/2017, 2:29 pm
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TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer
Bin #1 - 145F in a "cooling" trend from the highBin #2 - 115F holding steady since the last reading
- on 5/27/2017, 1:23 pm
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- Topic: TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer
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TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer
The temperature in both bins is leveling off.Bin #1 - 151F
Bin #2 - 115F
- on 5/26/2017, 12:35 pm
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- Topic: TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer
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TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer
The temps continue to rise after turning the contents of the bins.Bin #1 is now at 148F (up 13F from the previous day).
Bin #2 is now at 112F (up 15F from the previous day). Considering this is a small bin compared to Bin #1 it still does a pretty good job of heating up. This maybe due to the fact that it gets a fresh supply of kitchen scraps every few days.
This may sound really crazy but I get a big kick our of measuring the temps in the bins every day. Never know what to expect. For me it's as much fun as growing things but when it comes to turning the materials in the bins it is hard work (at least I find it so).
- on 5/25/2017, 12:30 pm
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- Topic: TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer
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TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer
Temps for May 24 are Bin #1 135F and Bin #2 97F. Both bins are heating up after being turned.
- on 5/24/2017, 2:44 pm
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TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer
I updated the previous post after I turned the contents of Bin #2. The temp in that bin is now down to 75F after turning.NOTE: I am posting these compost temperature readings for the benefit of the forum members. My hope is that others will learn from my mistakes and successes with composting. If the daily posts are too much just let me know (probably best via PM but comments +ve or -ve posted on this thread are welcome a well). The last thing I want to do is overwhelm people or make it seem like I am "hogging" the forum.
- on 5/23/2017, 3:19 pm
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- Topic: TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer
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TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer
Interestingly the temperature in both bins is the same today.Bin #1 has gone up to 115F from 92F after turning yesterday.
UPDATE: Bin #2 is down slightly to 114F. Later in the afternoon I turned the contents and added some greens (kitchen scraps, grass, weeds). The temperature after turning was 75F.
- on 5/23/2017, 11:51 am
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TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer
Even though there is a light shower of rain I decided to turn Bin #1. Temperature in that bin was 140F before turning and down to 92F right after turning. Wow was that compost ever steaming while I turned it. No bad smell either.Bin #2 has dropped down to 118F.
- on 5/22/2017, 3:33 pm
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TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer
The bins are cooling down.Bin #1 142F (down from 147F) and I am way behind on turning the contents.
Bin #2 126F (down from 131F), needs a stir and an injection of kitchen scraps.
- on 5/21/2017, 2:03 pm
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- Topic: TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer
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- on 5/20/2017, 12:00 pm
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- Topic: TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer
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TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer
sanderson wrote:trolleydriver wrote:
sanderson ... if the material in the bin does "not finish" what do you do with it?
Never happened before. I used to screen but I like the chunkier compost for top dressing. I suppose I will use it as top dressing on everything. Then, start a new pile. I know the Red Wigglers will love what ever I put on top, finished or fizzled.
Yup ... top dressing is what I have used it for.
Today's temperatures ... things are cooking nicely ... Bin #1 140F (up 15F since yesterday) and Bin #2 142F (holding steady). Current outside temp is 54F. I should turn Bin #1 again but may wait until tomorrow since I am not holding fast to the Berkeley 18-day hot composting method.
- on 5/19/2017, 12:02 pm
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- on 5/18/2017, 12:29 pm
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- Topic: TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer
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TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer
As of 8 a.m. the temps are Bin #1 120F (that is +21F from the previous reading) and Bin #2 140F (+8 from previous reading). I usually measure the temps later in the day so I'll do another reading later and that is what I will add to the graphs.sanderson ... if the material in the bin does "not finish" what do you do with it?
- on 5/18/2017, 8:12 am
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- Topic: TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer
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TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer
Bin #1 has moved from 84F after turning yesterday to 99F. I'm beginning to think this bin does not have the right combination/ratio of ingredients.Bin #2 is maintaining a good temperature at 132F. This is even after adding more kitchen scraps and aerating by stirring with a reinforcing rod yesterday.
Outside ambient temperature as of the time of taking the readings is 81F.
- on 5/17/2017, 12:23 pm
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- Topic: TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer
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TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer
Bin #1 122F (up 12F) - if I have time I'll turn the contents later today.Bin #2 131F (no change) - I added a note to the graph re work on the bin today after the temperature reading was taken.
- on 5/16/2017, 1:00 pm
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- Topic: TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer
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TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer
The only thing I can think of for #2 is that I may have added some more kitchen scraps. I usually make a hole in the middle, push the scraps down into the hole and then cover up the scraps.
You are right about bin #1. If I recall correctly, true hot composting requires an initial turning after or on day 5 followed by turning every two days after that. Not sure I have time and energy for that right now. Need to focus on building a new bed and getting things planted.
- on 5/15/2017, 10:00 pm
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- Topic: TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer
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