Composting is a simple yet strategic process. It requires balancing factors like aeration, moisture, and materials to create the ideal environment for decomposition. One of the key techniques for managing that balance is turning the compost pile. Turning serves multiple purposes – it mixes materials, provides aeration, and releases heat. Finding the right turning frequency can mean the difference between rich compost in weeks versus months. This guide covers everything needed to determine how often to turn compost piles for optimal plant growth.
Why Turning Compost is Important
Turning compost piles provides the oxygen that aerobic bacteria need to break down organic matter. When materials compact and decomposition slows, turning reintroduces air to speed up the process. Turning also redistributes moisture, regulates temperature, and blends materials at different stages of decomposition.
Without turning, anaerobic bacteria start to thrive, causing unpleasant odors. Turning keeps decomposition aerobic for faster composting without bad smells. It results in higher temperatures that destroy pathogens and weed seeds as well. For hot, efficient composting, regularly turning the pile is a must.
How Often Should You Turn Compost Piles?
The ideal turning frequency for compost piles depends on several factors:
Air Temperature
- During summer’s heat, turn every 1-2 weeks. Frequent turning provides more oxygen to support active decomposition.
- In winter’s cold, turn every 3-4 weeks. Slow microbial activity requires less aeration.
Moisture Content
- Turn more often if the pile becomes soggy or excessively wet. Frequent aeration will dry things out.
- For drier piles, less frequent turning is needed to retain moisture.
Materials in the Pile
- Turn manure piles more frequently – every 3-7 days. The nitrogen in manure heats piles quickly.
- Turn wood-based piles less often – every 3-4 weeks. Woody materials break down slowly.
- For a diverse mix of materials, turn weekly to strike a balance.
Size of the Pile
- Turn smaller piles (3x3x3 feet) every 1-2 weeks. Air and moisture distribute quickly in small batches.
- Larger piles need turning 1-2 times per month. Air takes longer to circulate through big batches.
No matter the factors involved, a good general rule is to turn compost piles about once a week during warmer months and every 2-3 weeks in colder months. Monitoring other indicators like moisture, temperature, and consistency can help fine-tune the ideal schedule.
How Often to Turn for Fast Compost
For the quickest compost possible, turn piles every 2-3 days until they no longer reheat after turning. This stage jumpstarts the decomposition process. Once their temperature starts dropping after turning, reduce the frequency to weekly.
Turning 2-3 times per week is also appropriate when working with smaller compost piles, as they tend to need more frequent aeration. For larger batches, aim for turning once per week until ready for curing. Adjust as needed based on moisture and other factors.
Turning this frequently generates finished compost in as little as 3-6 weeks. It requires diligence but speeds things up considerably compared to turning only every few weeks. For fast-track compost, vigorous turning is a must.
Signs It’s Time to Turn the Compost Pile
Rather than turning by a schedule, some composters prefer turning based on indicators from the pile itself. What are some signs it’s time to give the compost a stir?
- Odor – A strong, rotten-egg smell means there’s insufficient oxygen. Turning adds air.
- Lack of heat – Piles that don’t heat up need turning for aeration.
- Cooler sections – Turn piles that have large temperature differences between the middle and outer layers.
- Matted materials – Turn piles that are compacted or lack airflow between particles.
- Moisture changes – Turn and mix if portions of the pile are too dry or too wet.
- Visible mold – Gray or black mold is a sign to turn the pile to increase airflow.
- Infestations – Turn to deter pests like flies that populate neglected piles.
Relying on these indicators from the compost itself helps determine the right moments to turn it. Try both scheduled turns and as-needed turns to find what works best.
Tools and Tips for Easy Turning
While turning compost is simple in concept, it can quickly become a daunting chore, especially for large piles. What tools and techniques make this vital task easier?
Compost Turning Tools
Specialized tools take the manual labor out of turning piles. Useful options include:
- Compost aerators – Spear-like tools to aerate and mix as you plunge into piles.
- Compost tumblers – Sealable drums that mix compost as they spin.
- Spaders – Shovel-like tools with two handles for easy turning.
- Pitchforks – The classic turning tool to loosen and lift materials.
Keep Piles Small
The bigger the compost pile, the harder it is to turn. Optimal pile size for easy turning is around 3 feet x 3 feet x 3 feet. This size effectively retains heat while still allowing access to the center for turning.
Add Coarse Material
Amending piles with coarse items like straw, cornstalks, or wood chips creates air pockets for improved aeration. These help air penetrate piles when turning.
Use Tarps
Turn piles on top of tarps to contain stray particles and organic matter. Piles can be turned directly back onto the same tarp for easy cleanup.
Divide Large Piles
For massive compost piles, divide them into smaller segments that are more manageable to turn individually. Just be sure to recombine them later for efficient heating.
Proper tools, pile size, and amendments make turning compost an easier, less messy endeavor. Don’t shy away from this vital task – the right technique makes it fast and simple.
Turning Compost in Enclosed Bins
Turning compost is most often shown using open piles, but enclosed plastic or wooden bins offer an attractive, rodent-proof vessel for many composters. While turning inside an enclosed bin takes more effort, it’s still completely doable. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Remove the bin lid and set aside. This provides full access to the pile.
Use a pitchfork or compost aerator to lift and fluff materials from the center of the pile outwards towards the bin edges. Break up any large chunks.
Continuously turn sections of the pile until all materials are moved to a new position in the bin, blending the inner and outer layers together.
As you turn, use the fork or aerator to create air channels and pockets throughout the compost, adding oxygen.
Optional: Pass finished compost through a sifter as you turn, returning any large unfinished pieces back into the bin.
Once the entire pile is turned, replace the lid to contain odors and heat.
Turning compost in enclosed bins requires more labor than open piles. But with the right tools and technique, it can be done to improve aeration and speed decomposition in a rodent-proof environment.
Is It Possible to Turn Compost Too Much?
Turning compost provides vital aeration to fuel decomposition. But is there such a thing as turning too much?
Over-turning compost can happen, though it requires extensive handling. Here are some risks of over-turning:
- Heat loss – Too much turning rapidly cools piles and removes the heat needed for decomposition.
- Moisture loss – Turning too often dries out piles, slowing the composting process.
- Ecosystem disruption – Excessive turning disturbs the fungi, bacteria and organisms living in the compost.
- Organic matter loss – Over-handling piles causes them to break down too quickly before fully decomposing.
A good rule of thumb is to turn compost piles no more than once per week during active decomposition. Turning every 2-3 days is fine initially if the pile successfully reheats. But more than that risks cooling the compost and drying it out. For most compost, turning just 1-2 times per month is sufficient for finishing. Monitor pile conditions to determine ideal turning frequency.
Tips for Turning Compost in Winter
During winter’s cold temperatures, composting slows. But turning piles during winter can still provide a valuable boost of aeration. Here are some tips for successful winter turning:
- Time turns for sunny days when the pile thaws, avoiding turning frozen solid compost. Use a thermometer to monitor internal temperature.
- Turn less frequently – every 3-4 weeks is suitable for winter’s slower pace.
- Mix in extra browns like straw, leaves or wood chips when turning to provide insulation from the cold.
- Cover piles with extra tarp, burlap or other material to retain precious heat.
- Turn piles in smaller sections rather than all at once to prevent heat escaping quickly.
- Store freshly turned piles in covered bins or enclosures to protect them from chill.
- Monitor moisture when turning – add water if piles are dry or crackling since less evaporates in winter.
With the right adjustments, regular turning can keep compost cooking even through cold winters.
Tips for Turning Large Compost Piles
Ambitious composters with big household yields or large properties may end up with massive compost piles spanning 4 feet tall or more. Turning piles of this size brings logistical challenges. Here are some tips for successfully turning large compost batches:
Use Long-Handled Tools
Compost aerators, spaders, and pitchforks with extended handles provide the leverage needed to penetrate big piles. Long handles give turning leverage without requiring deep entry into the heap.
Divide the Pile
Break sprawling compost piles into smaller, 3x3x3 foot segments. This makes each section more manageable to lift and turn individually. Just be sure to recombine piles later to regain heating power.
Pace Yourself
Rather than tackling the entire huge pile at once, focus on turning just 1 or 2 segments per day over several days. This prevents wasting all the heat at once.
Clear Adjacent Space
Have a clean adjacent space like a tarp or separate containment area ready to temporarily hold compost when turning sections. This contains the mess and avoids re-turning the same material.
Add More Browns
Mix in extra browns like wood chips, sawdust, or straw as you turn large piles. This creates more air channels for airflow in dense compost.
Use Machinery
For commercial-scale composting, machinery like skid steers with turning attachments allow fast, efficient turning of enormouse compost piles with minimal labor.
Patience and the right tools allow even the most massive compost heaps to be turned successfully. Focus on creating manageable batches and contain the mess for easier large-scale turning.
In Summary
Turning compost regularly provides the necessary aeration, moisture regulation, and mixing for rapid, high-quality decomposition. For most compost piles, turning approximately every one to two weeks in summer and every three to four weeks in winter provides optimal conditions. More frequent turning of every few days will speed up the process considerably. Monitoring factors like moisture, temperature, and oxygen levels can help fine-tune the ideal turning frequency.
Focus on keeping piles small and using the right tools to make turning fast and easy. And remember, it’s hard to overdo turning as long as piles reheat afterwards – vigorous aeration creates ready compost in record time. Just be sure to adjust frequency based on seasonal changes in microbial activity. With the right schedule and techniques, turning compost can be simple and fruitful for any scale of organic waste recycling.