Product Brochure

11
FACTS YOU SHOULD
KNOW ABOUT
“HOT COMPOSTING”
CYCLE TIME
The normal “hot” composting
cycle is 4 to 7 days of high heating
followed by 7 to 10 days of
very gradual cooling. If you are
composting in cooler temperatures,
the heat core temperatures of
your compost will be lower than
122ºF (50ºC) and the cycle will
take longer. As you can see, your
climate will greatly affect your
composting
time.
Your climate will greatly
affect your composting time.
DECOMPOSITION
Rapid composting does not allow
enough time for the skeletons of
all the materials to decompose.
The smaller the particles you begin
with, the greater the decomposition.
As long as the materials have
gone through the heating and
cooling process successfully, it is
usable and valuable to your soil.
Any skeletons still present will
decompose naturally when the
compost is in the soil.
Temperature °C
Example of 14-Day Composting Cycles
See “Why take the temperature?” on page 8 for additional information.
Cycle – A Cycle – B Cycle – C
15
°
27°
38°
49°
60°
71°
82°
Days
COMPOST ACTIVATOR
±
DO YOU NEED IT?
There may be times when your load is progressing more slowly than it should.
It may be because the nitrogen level of your fresh materials is low. Late summer
grass is rarely, if ever, as high in nitrogen as spring grass; weeds, plants and
kitchen waste can all vary in nitrogen content from one week to the next.
You usually will not be able to tell until you try to compost with it. So, unless
you have a supply of farm manure readily available, you will probably need to
boost some of your compost batches with an activator. Compost Activator is the
result of decades of biological research. This scientifically developed formula
gives you high concentrations of active organisms that contribute to higher
heating.
COMPOST ACTIVATOR IS EASY TO USE!
1) Add 1 lb of activator to most Original Compos-Tumbler batches and add
1/2 lb to most Compact ComposTumbler batches. Simply sprinkle it onto
the materials after any necessary moisture adjustments have been made and
tumble well to mix in.
2) Sometimes it might be necessary to add more, although that would be unusual
for the average load. For example, plug grasses are exceptionally low in
nitrogen and will probably require more activator.
3) Proper storage of the Compost Activator is important. Keep it in a dry, shaded
location. Direct sunlight will kill the active organisms and moisture will cause
the organisms to come alive prematurely. Temperature, however, does not
affect its two-year shelf life.