Search
Latest topics
» Onions. Walk on?by sanderson Today at 6:02 pm
» Bokashi
by OhioGardener Today at 8:13 am
» New to SFG and in Virgina
by sanderson Today at 1:38 am
» Compost bins: Open vs. closed
by Scorpio Rising Yesterday at 10:38 am
» Recommended store bought compost - Photos of composts
by sanderson 3/26/2024, 5:56 pm
» 6 metal trellis frames
by docachna 3/25/2024, 4:31 pm
» N & C Midwest: March and April 2024
by Scorpio Rising 3/24/2024, 3:01 pm
» What Have You Picked From Your Garden Today
by OhioGardener 3/24/2024, 1:28 pm
» Senseless Banter...
by OhioGardener 3/23/2024, 6:02 pm
» Joann's fabric bankruptcy
by neefer 3/23/2024, 12:33 am
» New gardener from Santa Fe NM
by CantersVary 3/22/2024, 7:50 pm
» Kiwi's SFG Adventure
by KiwiSFGnewbie 3/22/2024, 5:07 pm
» Heat Mat Temperature Test
by OhioGardener 3/22/2024, 2:09 pm
» Victory Garden Reboot
by Scorpio Rising 3/22/2024, 11:53 am
» Mark's first SFG
by sanderson 3/22/2024, 11:43 am
» Commercial (bagged or bulk) compost question
by Mikesgardn 3/21/2024, 7:09 pm
» Think Spring 2024
by Scorpio Rising 3/20/2024, 10:34 am
» Fire Ring / Round Raised Bed Planter
by sanderson 3/19/2024, 4:51 pm
» Galvanized Fire Ring for Rhubarb Raised Beds?
by OhioGardener 3/18/2024, 10:34 am
» Happy St. Patrick's Day
by Scorpio Rising 3/17/2024, 5:54 pm
» Happy Birthday!!
by Scorpio Rising 3/11/2024, 10:28 am
» What are you eating from your garden today?
by Scorpio Rising 3/10/2024, 8:38 pm
» Why I love Oregano in the garden.
by OhioGardener 3/10/2024, 8:16 am
» Comfrey
by OhioGardener 3/9/2024, 6:07 pm
» Sealing Barrels Flowers Struggling-Need Ideas
by Turan 3/9/2024, 3:09 pm
» Hello again from a slightly different part of Central PA!
by sanderson 3/9/2024, 1:46 pm
» Chicken manure compost
by Oopsiedaisy 3/8/2024, 7:56 pm
» Chinese Broccoli
by sanderson 3/7/2024, 10:28 pm
» Heat Mat Lifespan
by Scorpio Rising 3/7/2024, 9:33 am
» Now is The Time To Take Seed Inventory
by OhioGardener 3/6/2024, 4:36 pm
Google
TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer
+13
Mimi2
newbeone
Robbomb116
CapeCoddess
floyd1440
plantoid
Zmoore
Kelejan
audrey.jeanne.roberts
dstack
jimmy cee
yolos
sanderson
17 posters
Page 8 of 13
Page 8 of 13 • 1, 2, 3 ... 7, 8, 9 ... 11, 12, 13
Re: TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer
Hi TD- What do you use to sift your compost?
Mimi2- Posts : 252
Join date : 2015-09-10
Age : 51
Location : Ottawa, Ontario
Re: TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer
Do you mean this white stuff? That would be snow back in December.newbeone wrote:What is that white stuff?
trolleydriver
Forum Moderator- Posts : 5395
Join date : 2015-05-04
Age : 76
Location : Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Re: TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer
Mimi ... I made a wooden frame out of 2x4s and then put hardware cloth on the frame. The frame then goes on top of a wheelbarrow which catches the sifted compost.Mimi2 wrote:Hi TD- What do you use to sift your compost?
trolleydriver
Forum Moderator- Posts : 5395
Join date : 2015-05-04
Age : 76
Location : Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Re: TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer
This is the temperature inside the "leftovers" pile from sifting the plastic bin and hardware cloth bin. The temperature is staying around 68F. It needs a boost.
And here is the temperature inside the 3x3x3 bin which has not yet been disturbed. It's still suffering from the winter freeze. Temperature is 40F.
And here is the temperature inside the 3x3x3 bin which has not yet been disturbed. It's still suffering from the winter freeze. Temperature is 40F.
trolleydriver
Forum Moderator- Posts : 5395
Join date : 2015-05-04
Age : 76
Location : Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Re: TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer
So that's what a shiny new compost thermometer looks like! Mine is getting hard to read.
Re: TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer
The temperature in the "leftovers" pile has climbed from 68F to 75F. The only thing I have done is sifted and fluffed the material.
I'll have to rebuild the SoilSaver plastic bin soon with some of the leftover material and other stuff. The reason is that I need a place to put our kitchen scraps which have been accumulating in a city recycle bin for the past week or so.
I'll have to rebuild the SoilSaver plastic bin soon with some of the leftover material and other stuff. The reason is that I need a place to put our kitchen scraps which have been accumulating in a city recycle bin for the past week or so.
trolleydriver
Forum Moderator- Posts : 5395
Join date : 2015-05-04
Age : 76
Location : Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Re: TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer
I refilled the SoilSaver plastic compost bu with leftovers from screening that bin and the hardware cloth bin. I layered in stuff from our friend's chicken coop, coffee grounds and filters, blood meal, kitchen scraps. I'm uncertain about the current ratio of browns to greens so will have to see if it heats up.
The starting temperature in the SoilSaver pile is 60F which is the same as the ambient outdoor temperature. I'll start to graph the temperature. This is a small pile so it probably will not heat up as well as a larger pile.
The starting temperature in the SoilSaver pile is 60F which is the same as the ambient outdoor temperature. I'll start to graph the temperature. This is a small pile so it probably will not heat up as well as a larger pile.
trolleydriver
Forum Moderator- Posts : 5395
Join date : 2015-05-04
Age : 76
Location : Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Re: TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer
The temperature in the SoilSaver bin has gone from 60F to 70F in less than a day even though it was very cold (down to almost freezing) overnight and the current outdoor temperature is only 46F.
trolleydriver
Forum Moderator- Posts : 5395
Join date : 2015-05-04
Age : 76
Location : Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Re: TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer
The SoilSaver bin is now at 78F which is an 18F increase in two days. Another couple of degrees and it will be into the "Steady" green zone on the compost thermometer.
At the current temperature the mesophilic bacteria are working. Above 100F the thermophilic bacteria take over.
https://web.extension.illinois.edu/homecompost/science.cfm
At the current temperature the mesophilic bacteria are working. Above 100F the thermophilic bacteria take over.
https://web.extension.illinois.edu/homecompost/science.cfm
trolleydriver
Forum Moderator- Posts : 5395
Join date : 2015-05-04
Age : 76
Location : Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Re: TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer
The SoilSaver bin is at 84F with an ambient outside temperature of only 40F, with below freezing coming overnight with a chance of snow flurries.
trolleydriver
Forum Moderator- Posts : 5395
Join date : 2015-05-04
Age : 76
Location : Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Re: TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer
Quite cold here ... even snow flurries. The temperature in the SoilSaver has not changed over the past 24 hours. In addition, I dug some fresh kitchen scraps into the middle of it. So I don't think I'll bother posting temperature updates for this pile. I'll just let it do it's slow cold composting thing.
trolleydriver
Forum Moderator- Posts : 5395
Join date : 2015-05-04
Age : 76
Location : Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Re: TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer
The dimensions are a little small to achieve a hot compost. Cool composts are good, too.
PS, I am also having trouble reaching lift off with my rebuilt pile, even though it is 3'x3'x3' and has blood meal. First time having this problem in 3 years.
PS, I am also having trouble reaching lift off with my rebuilt pile, even though it is 3'x3'x3' and has blood meal. First time having this problem in 3 years.
Re: TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer
I've rebuilt my 3x3x3 pile with leftovers from screening last year's material, chicken coop pickings, freshly mowed grass clippings, coffee grounds and filters, chopped up leaves saved from last Fall and a small amount of blood meal.
Starting temperature of the pile is 58F with an outside ambient temperature of 51F. I attribute the higher temp in the bin compared to outside to the fact that the "leftovers" from last year already had a bit of heat. Hoping for some good results from this pile since I need more good compost.
FWIW the temperature in the SoilSaver bin is at 78F which is down from the previous 84F recorded on May 7.
Starting temperature of the pile is 58F with an outside ambient temperature of 51F. I attribute the higher temp in the bin compared to outside to the fact that the "leftovers" from last year already had a bit of heat. Hoping for some good results from this pile since I need more good compost.
FWIW the temperature in the SoilSaver bin is at 78F which is down from the previous 84F recorded on May 7.
trolleydriver
Forum Moderator- Posts : 5395
Join date : 2015-05-04
Age : 76
Location : Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Re: TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer
The 3x3x3 bin is now at 78F which is an increase of 20 degrees from the starting temperature two days ago. At this stage the mesophile bacteria are at work. It still has a way to go to get to the thermophile bacteria stage.
The SoilSaver bin is at 106F which is an increase of 28 degrees from two days ago. It is at or near the low end of the thermophilic range.
The SoilSaver bin is at 106F which is an increase of 28 degrees from two days ago. It is at or near the low end of the thermophilic range.
trolleydriver
Forum Moderator- Posts : 5395
Join date : 2015-05-04
Age : 76
Location : Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
trolleydriver
Forum Moderator- Posts : 5395
Join date : 2015-05-04
Age : 76
Location : Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Re: TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer
Can you add a red dot or something when ever you turn them to introduce more oxygen?
Re: TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer
I'll try to indicate that on the graphs.sanderson wrote:Can you add a red dot or something when ever you turn them to introduce more oxygen?
Here are today's temperatures and graphs. Bin #1 (3x3x3) is at 110F (the Active zone) and Bin #2 (SoilSaver) is at 131F (just into the Hot zone). Both bins should have thermophile bacteria active at this time. Lookin' good.
trolleydriver
Forum Moderator- Posts : 5395
Join date : 2015-05-04
Age : 76
Location : Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Re: 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.
trolleydriver
Forum Moderator- Posts : 5395
Join date : 2015-05-04
Age : 76
Location : Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Re: TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer
For the Berkeley method, turn on the 4th day, or before if it reaches 160*F.
I should speak. I restarted my winter pile 17 days ago and have turned it only 3 times. I finally turned it the 3rd time this evening. It finally reached 125*F which is cold for the Berkeley method. I think it is staying low because it was partially composted when I rebuilt it. First time I have done this.
I should speak. I restarted my winter pile 17 days ago and have turned it only 3 times. I finally turned it the 3rd time this evening. It finally reached 125*F which is cold for the Berkeley method. I think it is staying low because it was partially composted when I rebuilt it. First time I have done this.
Re: TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer
I was hoping Bin #1 would heat up more before I turned it. I'll see how it does today and then decide.
I've also been thinking of visiting a nearby craft brewery to see if I can get some of their spent grains for composting. Maybe worth a try.
I've also been thinking of visiting a nearby craft brewery to see if I can get some of their spent grains for composting. Maybe worth a try.
trolleydriver
Forum Moderator- Posts : 5395
Join date : 2015-05-04
Age : 76
Location : Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Re: TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer
great sale on compost items such as compost thermometers, etc...
grow organic.com
grow organic.com
has55- Posts : 2379
Join date : 2012-05-10
Location : Denton, tx
Re: TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer
Whatever you do don't buy this compost bin. I obtained a used one from a neighbor and I hated it. It was very difficult (heavy) to turn once you got it partially filled with damp material. Really bad design as far as I am concerned.has55 wrote:great sale on compost items such as compost thermometers, etc...
grow organic.com
trolleydriver
Forum Moderator- Posts : 5395
Join date : 2015-05-04
Age : 76
Location : Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
trolleydriver
Forum Moderator- Posts : 5395
Join date : 2015-05-04
Age : 76
Location : Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Re: TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer
Just looking at the design, it looks like the material just dumps from one end to the other. No mixing and poor internal aeration. Thank you for your evaluation.trolleydriver wrote:Whatever you do don't buy this compost bin. I obtained a used one from a neighbor and I hated it. It was very difficult (heavy) to turn once you got it partially filled with damp material. Really bad design as far as I am concerned.
Page 8 of 13 • 1, 2, 3 ... 7, 8, 9 ... 11, 12, 13
Page 8 of 13
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
|
|