Compost Chat Notes Page 2

C/N ratios of common compost ingredients.  Composting organisms
need carbon for energy and nitrogen for growth.  It's the composter's
job to supply both kinds of materials in roughly the proportions the
microorganisms prefer.

Jim:  If you make your own compost be careful to be sure it is all
         broken down, if you don't it will tie up the nitrogen that you 
         want your plants to have.
Connie:  Does it take a long time for the compost to be broken
         down?
mars:  I have heard that it can be broken down in two weeks with
         ideal conditions, but I have never had that happen.
         I think maybe with the barrels that you turn, and just the
          right ingred. it might work that fast.
Connie:  Probably depends on the size and depth of the pile?
Jim:  Not if you give it enough air and water Connie.
mars:  I don't turn mine as much as I should to get fast results.
Jim:  It takes me about a month to break down a pile about 100
        feet long and 3 feet deep.
Jim does a style of composting refered to as windrow composting.
It is done in long rows, and pushed with a bull dozer to areate it.
mars:  But you cheat and add fertilizer to yours Jim.
Jim :  Yea, and a blade, tiller and a loader.
Connie:  How are you supposed to control the temperature of the pile?
mars:   Give the proper ingredients, moisture and aeration your
          Compost will heat up even in cold weather.  A hot pile can
           reach temps of 160 degrees F.  But will be fine at 120 degrees F.
           It really depends on what is in your pile to cook.
mars:  I have all the information from the Rodale Organic Gardening
          Book concerning composting on disk, and am happy to send it
           to anyone that wants it.  Please Email me with the subject as:
           Composting Info.

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