Hot Composting

[kuracjusz44]

Anyone have tried this method?how it works in comparison with traditional composting?i have just made it and it's good composted,but i think i add too much N sources so it kills my autoflower plants when i transplant them to that compost mixed with some wood/bone ash.It also working great for vegetables as a mulch,they are growing very healthy and bushy

 

[greenmatter]

hot composting works great!

are you sure it is not the wood ash that is toasting your plants?

 

[heady blunts]

does hot composting = thermal composting?

if your plants got burned there's a good chance that your compost wasn't fully finished.

it's been too long since i've had a good thermal compost pile going. i made some really gorgeous compost with garden waste, weeds, lots of nettles, and the layering techniques i learned from Maye E. Bruce.

check out her book for free on journey to forever, common-sense compost making.

 

[kuracjusz44]

probably it's thermal composting which takes 18days to make it.i don't think that wood ash killed them,i add a very small amount.my compost smells like fresh manure when it should be ready so thats the reason i think it's too much N.funny:i was worried about not enough nitrogen,and i get too much.

 

[greenmatter]

i don't think i have ever burned a plant with compost, but i don't ever add a lot to a soil mix

IME it is really hard to put a solid time on when any compost pile is finished. there are to many variables ....... what went in it, too wet or too dry (even for a day), did i get my lazy ass outside to turn it, or the weather can all make a difference.

if you think it has too much N in it try throwing some more carbs in and see if it heats up again

FWIW pumpkins and squash seem to love compost that is still a little "raw" .......... at least in my garden

 

[kuracjusz44]

oh yeah my cucumbers loves it i will just add some soil from the store to the mix and plant seedlings when they will be bigger.

 

[heady blunts]

whoa 18 days is quick! do you have a tumbler or something?

if it still smells like manure or ammonia you might want to try letting it go a little longer. fully finished compost smells earthy like dark soil.

i didn't know that about the squash and cukes. i've gotta give it a try!

 

[OrganicBuds]

For sure you need to let your compost finish off. Double your "cook" time and see the difference. I have planted in 100% compost before and had no problems at all. That compost was called "Double Duty" compost because it was extra strong. Doubt it is the compost, but some pictures would help.

also, ditto what heady said.

 

[IncredibowlBoss]

I hot compost in a tumbler (when I can keep the environment dialed in there!) - i've found that if jwant to plant/top dress with my compost, the plants take it much better if I put the compost I intend to use in a separate pile/bin for about 10 days to let it finish cooking. If you're hot composting, it could actually be the temperature of your coast pissing off your roots.

 

[greenmatter]

^^^^^^ how hard is it to keep the tumbler dialed in in our climate? i have heard both love and hate revues on them. july and august get HOT around here and i don't have much shade in my yard

 

[IncredibowlBoss]

^^^^^^ how hard is it to keep the tumbler dialed in in our climate? i have heard both love and hate revues on them. july and august get HOT around here and i don't have much shade in my yard

Honestly, I've only had it go anywhere near anaerobic on me in winter when it was too cold and wet and I was being lazy about adding my kitchen scraps regularly before they got too funky in my kitchen bin. I've read people on composting forums talk about how precisely dialed you have to keep a tumbler - I think this is if you're trying to achieve the crazy-sounding manufacturer claims, like usable compost in 14 days.

But even without any attention to temp or humidity in there, my homemade 55gallon drum tumbler heats up well over 100F and can process most things I add in 30-45 days. One important thing though is to let harvested compost 'cure' for a few days out of the bin before using it in the garden.

 

[Gascanastan]

I always SAY let your soil break down (cook) after mixing..but seldom actually allow it to happen. Yes there are problems that arise from not letting it cook,fortunately I have the experience to deal with any negative effects that arise. This may or may not slow me down as far as a cannabis cycle is concerned.
Usually they show signs of burning if the transplants are young,bigger plants do better. After a couple weeks the general vigor of the types (strains) that have been created in recent years are able to shrug it off and explode with positive vegetative growth. Larger root systems,etc.
Considering one mixes soil with the proper percentages of amendments of course.

 

[DARC MIND]

quick return method and proper cure
leave the turning to the worms and help direct microbes with quality ACT
CMC,luebke etc got nothing on versions of the quick return

most in the cucumber family do well with "rich" organic matter...we get ridiculous yields with a horse bedding/compost mix..

 

[IncredibowlBoss]

quick return method and proper cure
leave the turning to the worms and help direct microbes with quality ACT
CMC,luebke etc got nothing on versions of the quick return

most in the cucumber family do well with "rich" organic matter...we get ridiculous yields with a horse bedding/compost mix..

Thanks for the link, Darc! Just looked at the QR accelerator - looks like honey, seaweed & herbs. I know you can use nettles & yarrow to heat up a bin/heap/tumbler, and you can also add 1/2 strength high N organic fert (like age old grow), and I've read about leaving a can of lager or other light colored beer overnight and adding that, but haven't ever tried it.

 

[heady blunts]

there's DIY QR starter instructions in that link i posted earlier.

 

[kuracjusz44]

whoa 18 days is quick! do you have a tumbler or something?

if it still smells like manure or ammonia you might want to try letting it go a little longer. fully finished compost smells earthy like dark soil.

i didn't know that about the squash and cukes. i've gotta give it a try!

http://deepgreenpermaculture.com/diy-instructions/hot-compost-composting-in-18-days/

that's the method i'm using,but i added to much green matter and thats the reason.

 

[ClackamasCootz]

C:N = 25:1

 

[Old_Headbanger]

Cool thread, cool links. Bump.