My Home Compost Pile

I decided that I wanted a compost pile back a couple months ago. I read and researched, planned and started saving yard material so that when the time was right I could give it a shot. It has been a learning experience and a good one at that.

chipper/shredder(covered in black tarp), 2 orange tress and the compost bins in the back.

If you pee on the pile, it helps the reaction. More nitrates, more reaction(heat)!

I purchased a thermometer from radio shack with a long cord so that I could monitor the temperature, everything I have read says that you need to have the temp between 140-160 for a "hot pile" which is what I want. A "hot pile" will allow you to potentially have usable, finished compost in as little as 6 weeks.

thermometer lead wire going into coffee can(protects thermometer from rain)
the side-by-side bins allow easy flipping of the pile which is vital to a speedy turnaround


I flipped the pile yesterday(March, 2nd) and added a bunch of fresh grass cuttings. The pile had really slowed down in the last month with all the rain, the temp was down to 70-80 degrees which is WAY TOO low. I added fresh grass trimmings, flipped everything, aired it out and this morning it was almost at 160. I love it, it's weird, I know...

upper = pile core temp, lower = outside temp. pic taken at 6am


The used chipper that I got for two-hundy, sells for $700 new. Works like a charm!