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Compost
Harry Ng
Posts: 3
Hello
We have some cut grass and will try for 1st time hot composting. Do you know how long we can keep the compost once it is done, and where would be ideal to store the ready compost.
Many thanks for your help.
0
Posts
Grass cutting do help my compost get really hot. You can store compost anywhere, maybe cover it to stop the rain washing it away?
I would say grass is one of the best things for hot composting.
The secret is start with a layer of brown twiggy material on the bottom and spray it with water. Then add a layer about 4" of grass again make sure it's damp and then another layer of browns, paper shreddings etc. Again sprinkle with water and layer up to get about 1m x1m x 1m high.
At this point I cover it up with an old piece of wet carpet. If youve got the mix right it will be around 60 degrees within 24hours at the core. When you take the carpet off it steams. Monitor the temperature and turn the heap when the temperature drops to around 40 degrees. You will notice it's a lot dryer. Build 4" layers again and spray with water to keep it moist, but not soaking and when the heat doesn't build up anymore it's ready. I put it in a standard heap to cure and use it when I need it next, usually when I'm clearing my veg patch or re mulching flower beds.
A good accelerant to get the heap hotter is fresh horse muck or pee in an old watering can and sprinkle that in the layers as you build it.
I have a compost thermometer and having mixed fresh grass clipping into my compost, with a thick layer on top for insulation, the temperature quickly gets above 40/50 degrees.