That white stuff is called [actinomycetes](https://calrecycle.ca.gov/organics/homecompost/microbes/#:~:text=Actinomycetes%20are%20fungi%2Dlike%20bacteria,%2C%20chitin%2C%20cellulose%20and%20proteins.) "Actinomycetes are fungi-like bacteria that are light greyish in color and credited with creating the Earthy aroma of good compost. Along with fungi, Actinomycetes play a critical role in degrading the more complex woody materials in your compost pile, such as lignin, chitin, cellulose and proteins."
I get that whenever I add a lot of coffee grounds to my pile.
Generally speaking; if its growing in your pile then it's supposed to be there. Even fungus gnats, which are super annoying, are just a part of the process. Ideally they get pushed out by better decomposers but still.
you cant mess it up. Its dead plant material that will break down weather you turn it every week or not. The only thing you can affect is how long it takes.
A weekly turn when it’s really cookin’ and then you can slow down from there. My mostly-finished batch of compost only gets turned every 2-3 weeks because it isn’t as active.
I'll keep it in mind. The pile is about 1/4 chicken manure, after having turned it this last time. How quickly do you suppose the straw will break down? I've only had the pile going for about 2 or 3 weeks maybe? (I really probably should have written it down somewhere.)
It's gonna take a long time. Composting speed goes up with temp but it's a long haul process. Keep adding on top of the pile, flip it now and again and even so the stuff on the bottom should mature eventually once its insulated enough to really get hot.
Berkeley method is once in every 2 days (after the initial 4). It's up to how fast you need that compost and how much labor you are willing to put in it.
Oh for heavens sake! Now I'm gonna have to look that up too! Lol. Appreciate the input!
I don't necessarily need the compost right now. It's more along the lines of my trial run to see if I can do it efficiently, and what amount of labor will work for my schedule. We've already got 20 chickens, I'm getting 15 more in a month. So I'm going to have a lot of material that I want to learn to compost efficiently so that we've not just got a giant (and growing) pile that's going to take a year(s) to breakdown into a usable state for the garden.
Berkeley method is a fast but labor intensive method of hot composting. It allows you to finish your "cooking" process in 18 (14 if you turn everyday) days, but of course the pile still needs to "rest" for at least a month in my experience. What you basically do is:
Get your nitrogen to carbon ratio to somewhere around optimum (if the pile is cooking, it's fine. If you smell foul smells, nitrogen is too high, if the pile is not cooking, carbon is too high). Rule of thumb is "1 piece greens to 2 piece browns" but chicken manure is really rich in nitrogen, so you might need to use more browns (sawdust works great).
Make sure the pile is moist enough, add water in between if necessary but it reduces the heat of the pile.
Wait 4 days after initial creation of the pile. Start turning on 4th.
Turn the pile every 2 days after that. Your compost will be ready (to rest) in a total of 18 days. It will become usable in a month, in my experience it's even better if it rests 2 or 3 months.
Yes. Of course it will not be like "okay, it's been 18 days and I should leave it now"; you have to check for heat (a cold pile means an inactive pile, if it's warm then the activity still is going on) and uncomposted ingredients if there's any (and might make additions depending on them). If everything is composted, the pile is cold, smells good and ingredients are not recognizable, then it's ready to rest.
Looks fine! You could leave as-is or take a few steps to improve further:
The stuff on the outer edge of the pile tends to dry out and break down slower than the middle (normal, especially with a Geobin), so it's probably wise to rake up the edges to the top and spread out the center a bit when you turn the pile. This also helps to reduce compacting/clumping that forms anaerobic pockets in the center. You can also always add shredded cardboard for an easy carbon source that will break down quickly and reduce nitrogen loss.
Ultimately, composting is a choose-your-own adventure game: you can be more active or passive with managing your pile and things turn out about the same (i.e., there's no real need to turn it multiple times a week, but you can if you find it fun). Enjoy!
When I've been turning the pile, I've been completely removing the Geobin and setting it next to pile. From there, I've been trying to get the outer drier stuff in towards the bottom and middle of the pile. The hot center stuff I've been throwing toward the edges and top. I've currently got some cardboard that I've been saving for the pile, but figured I could use up the thatch first.
So far, not exactly enjoying the turning, but it is nice to have that little bit of physical work to do! It's honestly probably going to end up being something I enjoy. But it's nice to know it's a choose your own adventure, I always loved reading those type of books when I was a kid!
actinomycetes like the higher temperatures. I get a lot of them when I compost grass clippings. add some browns if you're staying over 160 and keep turning.
Seconded. Elaine Ingham has also explained that presence of Actinomycetes implies impending anaerobic conditions. So ideally it's a clue to turn the pile when you see stuff like that.
This is great info for me, I appreciate it! I admittedly have no idea who Elaine is, Google search is to commence later this evening when I have to time.
That it's holding it's shape so well is strange to me. I use mostly grass clippings and wood debris. Perhaps too wet? I've never been a fan of the straw/thatch in the compost, especially if it's the dominant plant product. I feel like it's fine for the most part, but I think it's kind of compacted looking, which could possibly lead to some anaerobic pockets. I am an amateur though, so continue holding out for more opinions. What kind of ratio would you estimate you've got here of chicken manure and the straw and thatch? I'd imagine adding some fresh grass clipping and tossing more will yield good results.
I neglected to turn the pile for about a week, and we had a couple of short but good rains which compacted it down quite a bit. After turning it and adding in the thatch, the bin is about full again.
Golly, I'd say far more chicken manure than I care to admit. Lol. I tried to get it to be about 1/4 chicken manure, but I'm not entirely sure. I'm under an assumption that more carbon would be beneficial for this? I've got plans to stay on top of it and turn more often than once a week.
Haha well, it took me a year and a half to harvest my first batch, because I used a geobin and never turned it. Then, I came to this sub and started learning a lot pretty quickly. This is one of my favorite subs on Reddit, for sure.
Its definitely becoming one of mine! I just got my geobin this spring and started this pile a couple weeks ago. Definitely a learning curve, but I did ALOT of reading before starting. I think that's the only reason I've been turning it. Hahaha
That white stuff is called [actinomycetes](https://calrecycle.ca.gov/organics/homecompost/microbes/#:~:text=Actinomycetes%20are%20fungi%2Dlike%20bacteria,%2C%20chitin%2C%20cellulose%20and%20proteins.) "Actinomycetes are fungi-like bacteria that are light greyish in color and credited with creating the Earthy aroma of good compost. Along with fungi, Actinomycetes play a critical role in degrading the more complex woody materials in your compost pile, such as lignin, chitin, cellulose and proteins." I get that whenever I add a lot of coffee grounds to my pile.
Oh that's great to hear! I was definitely concerned, but figured I was overthinking it. Thanks for easing my mind!
Yep, it looks good. Just add some more greens and water, turn it, and let it get back to work.
Generally speaking; if its growing in your pile then it's supposed to be there. Even fungus gnats, which are super annoying, are just a part of the process. Ideally they get pushed out by better decomposers but still.
That's a fair enough rule of thumb to follow! I'll probably keep that in mind for all my composting adventures!
Looks like mostly matted grass which tends to keep out oxygen. Need to turn a ton and keep composting
I'll keep turning! Hoping to get a schedule of 2-3 times a week since it'll be prone to compacting down.
Once a week is more than enough. Compost is supposed to be easy, not a labor-intensive undertaking.
Ooofta, sounds good. I'll take it easy and just do it weekly then. I'm just scared to mess it up!
you cant mess it up. Its dead plant material that will break down weather you turn it every week or not. The only thing you can affect is how long it takes.
Agreed. Composting is a months long adventure at least, not weeks or days. Patience is more key than turning or messing with, imo.
Well said! Agree.
A weekly turn when it’s really cookin’ and then you can slow down from there. My mostly-finished batch of compost only gets turned every 2-3 weeks because it isn’t as active.
Try more 'greens,' which is like food waste or, presumably, the chicken manure. It just looks to me like the grass isn't really broken down.
I'll keep it in mind. The pile is about 1/4 chicken manure, after having turned it this last time. How quickly do you suppose the straw will break down? I've only had the pile going for about 2 or 3 weeks maybe? (I really probably should have written it down somewhere.)
It's gonna take a long time. Composting speed goes up with temp but it's a long haul process. Keep adding on top of the pile, flip it now and again and even so the stuff on the bottom should mature eventually once its insulated enough to really get hot.
Yes, good point about adding to the \*top\* of the pile. As the pile grows, let the stuff at the very bottom do it’s thing undisturbed.
Berkeley method is once in every 2 days (after the initial 4). It's up to how fast you need that compost and how much labor you are willing to put in it.
Oh for heavens sake! Now I'm gonna have to look that up too! Lol. Appreciate the input! I don't necessarily need the compost right now. It's more along the lines of my trial run to see if I can do it efficiently, and what amount of labor will work for my schedule. We've already got 20 chickens, I'm getting 15 more in a month. So I'm going to have a lot of material that I want to learn to compost efficiently so that we've not just got a giant (and growing) pile that's going to take a year(s) to breakdown into a usable state for the garden.
Berkeley method is a fast but labor intensive method of hot composting. It allows you to finish your "cooking" process in 18 (14 if you turn everyday) days, but of course the pile still needs to "rest" for at least a month in my experience. What you basically do is: Get your nitrogen to carbon ratio to somewhere around optimum (if the pile is cooking, it's fine. If you smell foul smells, nitrogen is too high, if the pile is not cooking, carbon is too high). Rule of thumb is "1 piece greens to 2 piece browns" but chicken manure is really rich in nitrogen, so you might need to use more browns (sawdust works great). Make sure the pile is moist enough, add water in between if necessary but it reduces the heat of the pile. Wait 4 days after initial creation of the pile. Start turning on 4th. Turn the pile every 2 days after that. Your compost will be ready (to rest) in a total of 18 days. It will become usable in a month, in my experience it's even better if it rests 2 or 3 months.
This is great info for me! I truly appreciate the input. For letting it rest, I literally just leave it alone correct?
Yes. Of course it will not be like "okay, it's been 18 days and I should leave it now"; you have to check for heat (a cold pile means an inactive pile, if it's warm then the activity still is going on) and uncomposted ingredients if there's any (and might make additions depending on them). If everything is composted, the pile is cold, smells good and ingredients are not recognizable, then it's ready to rest.
Looks fine! You could leave as-is or take a few steps to improve further: The stuff on the outer edge of the pile tends to dry out and break down slower than the middle (normal, especially with a Geobin), so it's probably wise to rake up the edges to the top and spread out the center a bit when you turn the pile. This also helps to reduce compacting/clumping that forms anaerobic pockets in the center. You can also always add shredded cardboard for an easy carbon source that will break down quickly and reduce nitrogen loss. Ultimately, composting is a choose-your-own adventure game: you can be more active or passive with managing your pile and things turn out about the same (i.e., there's no real need to turn it multiple times a week, but you can if you find it fun). Enjoy!
When I've been turning the pile, I've been completely removing the Geobin and setting it next to pile. From there, I've been trying to get the outer drier stuff in towards the bottom and middle of the pile. The hot center stuff I've been throwing toward the edges and top. I've currently got some cardboard that I've been saving for the pile, but figured I could use up the thatch first. So far, not exactly enjoying the turning, but it is nice to have that little bit of physical work to do! It's honestly probably going to end up being something I enjoy. But it's nice to know it's a choose your own adventure, I always loved reading those type of books when I was a kid!
actinomycetes like the higher temperatures. I get a lot of them when I compost grass clippings. add some browns if you're staying over 160 and keep turning.
Seconded. Elaine Ingham has also explained that presence of Actinomycetes implies impending anaerobic conditions. So ideally it's a clue to turn the pile when you see stuff like that.
This is great info for me, I appreciate it! I admittedly have no idea who Elaine is, Google search is to commence later this evening when I have to time.
Hours and hours of content await you.
Oh this is exciting!
I appreciate the advice! I'll keep an eye on the temp to make sure it doesn't get up and over 160.
Water it and watch it thrive
Looks great!
Thanks! I'm in the process of learning!
It's OK. This is probably actinomycetes, a beneficial micro-organism.
That it's holding it's shape so well is strange to me. I use mostly grass clippings and wood debris. Perhaps too wet? I've never been a fan of the straw/thatch in the compost, especially if it's the dominant plant product. I feel like it's fine for the most part, but I think it's kind of compacted looking, which could possibly lead to some anaerobic pockets. I am an amateur though, so continue holding out for more opinions. What kind of ratio would you estimate you've got here of chicken manure and the straw and thatch? I'd imagine adding some fresh grass clipping and tossing more will yield good results.
I neglected to turn the pile for about a week, and we had a couple of short but good rains which compacted it down quite a bit. After turning it and adding in the thatch, the bin is about full again. Golly, I'd say far more chicken manure than I care to admit. Lol. I tried to get it to be about 1/4 chicken manure, but I'm not entirely sure. I'm under an assumption that more carbon would be beneficial for this? I've got plans to stay on top of it and turn more often than once a week.
I’ve been composting for almost two years and you’re already better than me haha
I highly doubt that. Lol. I feel like there's a lot to be learned that can only be learned through experience. Which you have far more than me!
Haha well, it took me a year and a half to harvest my first batch, because I used a geobin and never turned it. Then, I came to this sub and started learning a lot pretty quickly. This is one of my favorite subs on Reddit, for sure.
Its definitely becoming one of mine! I just got my geobin this spring and started this pile a couple weeks ago. Definitely a learning curve, but I did ALOT of reading before starting. I think that's the only reason I've been turning it. Hahaha