Checking the Moisture Level In Your Compost Pile

The second most important requirement that helps keep the decomposer organisms working just the way they should is having just the correct amount of moisture (water) in your compost pile.

When you pick up a handful of your compost, it should be as damp as a wrung-out sponge — moist to the touch. No water should come out when you squeeze the handful of compost.

Is Your Compost Pile Too dry?

If your compost pile is too dry, you can poke holes in the pile and water it from the top with a trickling hose. Better yet, pull the pile apart and rebuild it, wetting each layer as it goes on. Very fibrous materials such as dead leaves may need to be soaked in a bucket for an hour or two.

How To Remove Extra Moisture (water) from the Compost Pile

A soggy pile should be turned so that clumps of material are broken up, allowing air in and water out. If the compost is absolutely soaked, you can spread the materials to dry in the sun, or scatter peat moss throughout the pile as you rebuild it with the drier materials in the center.

As you notice, it’s not that complicated; it’s simply a matter of being on the alert and making sure your compost pile is damp — not too dry and not too wet.

The next important part of the formula to having a great compost is to add the proper food to your pile. That will be divided into three sections: an overall view, specific materials to use, and specific materials to avoid.

See you on the next post.

Marcie

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This entry was posted on Thursday, July 26th, 2007 at 2:25 am and is filed under 2. Hot Composting, C. Compost Moisture. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.