Compost accelerator

[golden14]

I've been trying some "compost accelerator" in my new compost bin, but it doesn't seem to have done much in the past 4 weeks. How long until I notice a 'breakdown' in the compost (to be)
Thxs
Dickie

[DavidT]

Is it a plastic, Dalek type bin? Are you checking by taking the lid off and looking? Open the hatch at the bottom and check, your compost shouldn`t be far away. If it`s a traditional, wooden compost bin, when was the last time you turned the compost.

[golden14]

plastic dalek type thingy. I've been adding the accelerator and plenty of water but not a lot happening...

[DavidT]

Why are you adding water?

[ferrum35]

Originally Posted by golden14

plastic dalek type thingy. I've been adding the accelerator and plenty of water but not a lot happening...

Adding water is not necessary. But you have to close any access of oxygen.

[DavidT]

Good evening Ferrum and welcome to the site. Why do you have to close access of oxygen?

[greengirl]

I thought O2 would help! Looking forward to hearing answer to that Ferrum. I know I have difficulty forking/mixing my plasticky type composter as it's so heavy and there's not much room to put your forkful aside and get at the underneath bit. My egg shells are still fairly much whole when having a quick look in the bottom where you slide up the opening. Did they just not get long enough yet? Maybe your compost is too wet? Can you throw some more earth worms in - just from the garden - would that speed things up?

[Kimby]

You want your compost to be getting warm which is what helps the breakdown process. You don't want it to be wet! It shouldn't be completely dry but any moisture should come from the stuff that you're composting so there's no need to add any water to it.

As long as you've got a good mixture of compostable materials in there it should do all the hard work for you. I guess closing off any incoming air would help with the warming-up but you don't need to eliminate oxygen altogether. In fact I've seen a tip that scrunched up paper in the compost gives little pockets of air when the paper breaks down so that also helps with the warming up - much like giving oxygen to a candle helps it burn that bit brighter.

[DavidT]

Like ourselves, plants, soil and compost heaps need 3 things for a healthy existance. Warmth, moisture and air. But, not in excess. The ideal compost heap, is a 3ft x 3ft x 3ft wooden cube. It should be filled with equal layers of green then brown materials. when full, it should be turned over regularly to incorporate air and also mix the green/brown components together. Moisture should come solely from the green material. If cold and or wet weather is forecast, the whole should be covered with plastic or old carpet. I am not a fan of the plastic compost bins as they tend to produce a very wet, slimy compost.

[Suffolk Dave]

I agree with David. My compost bins consist of 2 wooden 3'x3' side by side compartments. One I fill with compostable material and regardless of how full it is I completely turn over the contents into the adjacent bin about once a month thus introducing lots of air (bacteria and fungus need oxygen) also this mixes up the stuff. As has been said, compost heaps need heat. I find that grass cuttings are ideal to start the process off as they produce lots of heat. It is essential though to turn the heap as the grass will only end up as a sluggy mess. Large stems i.e. cabbage etc must be cut up small and egg shells broken up as they can take quite a while to break down. Finally, its a good idea to add layers of broken up straw or hay with the other waste especially the grass cuttings as this allows trapped air (essential for breakdown) also produces a better mix. Regardless of what others will say, a compost heap requires aerobic conditions for the bacterial breakdown, not turning the heap produces Anaerobic conditions (oxygen lacking).