Compost troubles, pics added

[Celeste Cannon]

I got this amazing compost bin last Christmas, and started using it in the spring/summer. I still haven’t gotten any compost out of it, it’s just never looked ready to take out. I’ve left the left side to sit for a couple weeks now (pic with less in it), but it looks like it’s not decomposing like it should. Is there anything wrong with it? The right side is getting full so I’m not sure whether I start adding to the left side again, or put my food scraps elsewhere. I have a project coming up where I’ll need some compost, and I’d like to use my own. What should I do? Some thing that’s probably affecting it is that I only take care of it every other week, so it’s not turned, added to, or moisturized every other week. Let me know if you can help! I need any tips I can get as I am still pretty new to this.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Are you just putting in food scraps? You need other organic matter, both green and brown.

You also need it to be at the correct moisture, and it needs the correct bacteria to compost. You can buy composting bacteria, or save some composted material from a batch to start the next batch. Without bacteria things just rot.

What's your temperatures? It also needs to be warm enough out.

Everything needs to be correct for hot composting to occur.

 

[Celeste Cannon]

So this composter is well known for its temperature control, and it makes it really hot inside no matter the weather. I live in Southern California, it doesn’t get colder than 50° here. I am adding both green and brown material style, I add either a chicken bedding, dry leaves or other animal bedding for brown material. I’ve never heard of added bacteria, do you recommend any brands?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I haven't used any myself, and I've mostly done cold composting here.

I searched both Amazon and Wal-Mart, both carry a bacterial starter. Composting requires certain microbes and bacteria to work efficiently.

Hopefully someone who has use a composter like yours can help out. I've did compost in a trough a few times. It takes a long time for big stuff to break down. Chopping things up fine can help.

 

[Aunt Angus]

You can also buy a bag of compost from a garden supply store and use it as a starter. I got some from a neighbor's compost pile. It started mine.

 

[Artichoke Lover]

How often are you turning it?

 

[Red-Stars-in-RI]

I'd say it looks like a few things:

1. It looks a bit dry, you may need to add some water (compost should be damp but not wet...the example you see all the time is "like a wrung out sponge").
2. There are some bigger chunks there, which can take longer to break down.
3. As some mentioned, some finished compost, compost starter, or even some manure can help kick-start your compost with a blast of micro-organisms.
4. Turning will speed the process.

How long have those materials been in the composter?

 

[TJAnonymous]

Do you live near any horse farms? It might help to get some horse manure... Other than that, I agree with the other poster who mentioned it looks too dry. Might need to add more moisture.

 

[Acre4Me]

@Celeste Cannon -hows it looking now?

My thoughts were that it’s dry looking. And, like others mentioned, you might just need some starter. I’ve used one this past year-granular, I think Jobes brand. My composting is done in an outdoor bin on the ground. Kitchen scraps, chicken bedding primarily, with grass added in warm months. I found I needed to add the compost bacteria bc mine was a new bin...we just built it in 2020.


Your temps are great. You just need to kick start
it. Any manure available (even rabbit manure from a friend’s pet) will help.