What is a good temperature for composting?
October 30, 2009 by Composting
Filed under Composting Q&A's
Hitlary asked:
I made a barrel composter and would like to know about composting correctly to keep the nutrients from burning.
I made a barrel composter and would like to know about composting correctly to keep the nutrients from burning.
kaka90250 on Mon, 2nd Nov 2009 5:57 am
i should say…40c
jacko is wacko on Wed, 4th Nov 2009 9:10 pm
about 250 degrees celsius that is
waltonwayaugusta on Fri, 6th Nov 2009 10:13 am
I HAD TWELVE OAK TREES IN FLA AND EVERY YEAR I MADE A PILE
AND LIMED IT THEN TOOK A $10 TARP AND COVERED FOR A MONTH AND HAD SOME GOOD HUMUS
kbase_ami on Sat, 7th Nov 2009 3:29 am
In the process of composting, microorganisms break down organic matter and produce carbon dioxide, water, heat, and humus, the relatively stable organic end product. Under optimal conditions, composting proceeds through three phases: 1) the mesophilic, or moderate-temperature phase, which lasts for a couple of days, 2) the thermophilic, or high-temperature phase, which can last from a few days to several months, and finally, 3) a several-month cooling and maturation phase.
Different communities of microorganisms predominate during the various composting phases. Initial decomposition is carried out by mesophilic microorganisms, which rapidly break down the soluble, readily degradable compounds. The heat they produce causes the compost temperature to rapidly rise.
As the temperature rises above about 40°C, the mesophilic microorganisms become less competitive and are replaced by others that are thermophilic, or heat-loving. At temperatures of 55°C and above, many microorganisms that are human or plant pathogens are destroyed. Because temperatures over about 65°C kill many forms of microbes and limit the rate of decomposition, compost managers use aeration and mixing to keep the temperature below this point.
During the thermophilic phase, high temperatures accelerate the breakdown of proteins, fats, and complex carboydrates like cellulose and hemicellulose, the major structural molecules in plants. As the supply of these high-energy compounds becomes exhausted, the compost temperature gradually decreases and mesophilic microorganisms once again take over for the final phase of curing or maturation of the remaining organic matteer.
Muffy on Mon, 9th Nov 2009 2:26 am
A common misunderstanding about compost piles is that they must be hot to be successful. This just isn’t true. If you have good aeration and moisture, and the proper ingredient mix, your pile will decompose just fine at temperatures of 50 degrees Farenheit or above.