Bee, you said you added material because "it was time". As best as you can, could you explain how you determine when is the right time? Is it texture, depth, moisture? I've viewed your video and it was very helpful to see the consistency of you litter. In what way had your litter changed from how it appeared in that video to make you say it needed more material?
This will be my first winter with DL. I'm very pleased with my rate of decomposition so far, but am wondering what winter will bring. Obviously, in New England, I don't have the grass clippings this time of year. I just added 1/2 a lawn and leaf bag of chopped straw and another 1/2 bag of dried leaves to my 8x12' covered and wrapped run. I have 3 more bags of leaves and another 1/2 bag of straw but don't have confidence that I'll know if/when to add it.
I'm also using a nipple waterer for winter so won't be emptying dirty water into the run like I did before. Do you recommend adding water through winter or do you let the litter run drier in the winter. I'm worried that any added water will just freeze. Right now it's warm below the litter. It was 28*F the other day but it was 40*F about 4-6 inches below the litter. The litter is 12" deep total so I'm sure it's warmer down deeper. Am I worrying for no reason? The ground doesn't freeze under my little compost pile out back. I can turn that pile in February and it is still thawed so I think the litter will be fine.
This will be my first winter with DL. I'm very pleased with my rate of decomposition so far, but am wondering what winter will bring. Obviously, in New England, I don't have the grass clippings this time of year. I just added 1/2 a lawn and leaf bag of chopped straw and another 1/2 bag of dried leaves to my 8x12' covered and wrapped run. I have 3 more bags of leaves and another 1/2 bag of straw but don't have confidence that I'll know if/when to add it.
I'm also using a nipple waterer for winter so won't be emptying dirty water into the run like I did before. Do you recommend adding water through winter or do you let the litter run drier in the winter. I'm worried that any added water will just freeze. Right now it's warm below the litter. It was 28*F the other day but it was 40*F about 4-6 inches below the litter. The litter is 12" deep total so I'm sure it's warmer down deeper. Am I worrying for no reason? The ground doesn't freeze under my little compost pile out back. I can turn that pile in February and it is still thawed so I think the litter will be fine.