JOIN NOW LOG IN
iVillage GardenWeb iVillage GardenWeb THE INTERNET'S GARDEN & HOME COMMUNITY ADVERTISEMENT
Blogs Forums Photo Galleries Ask The Experts Tools & Directories        
Return to the Iowa Gardening Forum | Post a Follow-Up

 o
U Think The Weathers Hot? My Compost Pile is Hotter

Posted by iowa50126 z5IA (My Page) on
Thu, Jul 20, 06 at 14:39

I have been lucky enough to get needed rainfall this month so my lawn has required mowing more often than usual. Since I was letting my grass grow long during the hot spell, it got up to about 6 inches this week. I usually mow at the highest setting on my mower which is about 3.75". So, I attached the bagger and mowed late Monday night. Normally I only bag in the early spring and the last cutting of the year so I don't usually have any grass in my compost pile in July.

I tossed the grass clippings into my half empty compost bin. The bin is 3X3X3. On Tuesday it was a getting a little smelly so I mixed in a trash bag full of shredded paper.

Today the pile was "less smelly" but too hot to touch. I used my meat thermometer to check the temp. It was 150 F. about 10 inches down in the pile. I think I could cook one of those Boy Scout Camp aluminum foil wrapped meals in that pile!

I'm always amazed at how fast grass and browns like shredded paper heat up in a compost pile.


Follow-Up Postings:

 o
RE: U Think The Weathers Hot? My Compost Pile is Hotter

Hey! That's a great temp! It'll fry any accidental weed seeds you've got in there.

Ummmm - make sure you wash that meat thermometer off real well. ;)


 
 

 

 


Click here to learn more about in-text links on this page.



iVillage GardenWeb: The Internet's Garden & Home Community  
  iVillage Home & Garden Network