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Simi valley, ca

Ok i got piles , approx 5 yards each ! So far i have put some hydrolyzed fish & also some molasses & humic acid on them, then slow soaked them for 48 hour's, Im thinking of covering them with plastic , But not sure ? Any thing i should put ( into) them ? Or any other suggestions ?

1/1/2012 9:58:21 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

Depends on what your carbon and nitrogen ratio is... No to the plastic it needs air...check the center to see if you have heat..

1/1/2012 10:03:40 PM

South East

Fresh horse manure piled up usually heats up on its own, without adding anything. If you just wonna compost the manure, i,d pile it up and turn every now and then. If you want to turn in to regular compost then your going to have to add stuff. Leafs,wood shavings,etc,,

1/1/2012 10:25:14 PM

anytown U.S,A,

Soaked the piles how? Most manure has enough moistrue in it. You only need to make the pile damp like a rung out sponge. Then add browns or carbon material like the Cook's said if you want to make compost.

1/1/2012 10:57:41 PM

Colorado

fish use some sort of thermometer to monitor the temps. I use a indoor outdoor(therm) with a wire thermocouple.I stick a 2 foot piece of .5 inch pvc into the pile and run the thermocouple down the pvc shaft. The pile will heat up the most about 12 to 18 inches deep.You can monitor the piles temps-should turn every two to three weeks-more often if you have a front end loader

1/2/2012 11:21:47 AM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

If the pile is big enough make a chimney using perforated pipe. Lay one end down for the intake and allow the pipe to go up the center..You will have to turn less.

1/2/2012 11:40:26 AM

South Hero, VT

Here's a list of Organic Gardening compost articles. http://www.organicgardening.com/tags/compost

Everything in posts above are true from my experience.

Forwarded email from Norm Gansert. Check out his diary under "abbynormal" for more composting tips.

Consider letting the compost age for a year or more. Most heavy hitters do this.

1/2/2012 5:12:59 PM

Simi valley, ca

Thanks for all of your responses! Good info !!!

1/2/2012 9:31:49 PM

Deer Park WA

We cover our composting poop piles with plastic tarps for the following reasons.

1)It keeps the incessant rain we get there off them. 2) It helps retain some of the nitrogen that we would otherwise loose. 3) It does help hold in the heat a bit.

Aerobic or anaerobic composting either way it still results in the same finished product Aerobic is usually a bit quicker.

Here's a great little article on the two methods.

http://www.rivenrock.com/composttypes.htm

1/9/2012 4:18:19 PM

Ontario

Hi ,I turn my pile,quite a bit during the year ,also something else I do, is add greensand and collodial rock phosphate to the pile, saves spreading it seperately! Rock phosphate also cuts down on the odour of fresh manure.Hope this helps. Terry

1/9/2012 7:00:09 PM