How Long Does Compost Generally Take To Make?

[CarlC]

So thanks from a little help from DavidT I`m thinking of just making my own compost bin and compost.But before i do i need/want to know, how long does it take for your "rubbish" to turn into compost?

cheers

Carl

[Lily]

Dear Carl,

In my experience it takes approximately 3 months.

Lily

[DavidT]

Carl, it isn`t rubbish, it`s compostable material. Glad to see you are learning.

[CarlC]

hehe that`s why i used the speech marks, as to me it`s black gold But to some it`s rubbish.

[DavidT]

Not to a gardener it`s not.

[Shetty]

I am afraid I do it the "lazy" way. I have 3 compost heaps made out of pallets withe some old carpet inside for extra insulation. I start filling the first one , when that's full the next and so on. I just leave the heap alone for about 6 month and get lovely compost out of it, without any turning, aerating, etc .

[Ofer El]

Hey Shety,

the process of composting is faster as temp are higher- so than micro organizms works faster to make it.
Sure also depend on materials and how much air/ water it contain.

So do not feel that you did something wrong if it is not moving on in English winter.

good luck
Ofer

[Shetty]

Originally Posted by Ofer El

Hey Shety,

the process of composting is faster as temp are higher- so than micro organizms works faster to make it.
Sure also depend on materials and how much air/ water it contain.

So do not feel that you did something wrong if it is not moving on in English winter.

good luck
Ofer

Hi Ofer El,
As I am living in a more "nordic" climate, I think my compost is doing rather well.
We only have a limited variety of worms and other helpers survivng up here, together with the added bonus that there are neither things likes rats or ants.
When I lived in Central Europe compost usually took about 1 year to be ready, no matter how much attention you paid. Because I seem to manage to create enough for my plot, it does not bother me to wait that little longer, but I agreee if you are needing compost in a hurry you have to give it a bit more attention.



Shetty

[Ben]

The finer you chop up what you put into a compost bin the quicker it will turn to lovely friable compost. I see so many people on my site throwing whole plants and big stems into their bin and then wondering why it takes two years to break down.

I chop up everything I put into the compost wth my spade.

[judimac]

I find my compost takes the best part of a year. But then I have been very lazy re turning the heap! But I have 4 plastic bins which turn out the most wonderful stuff!