Should "hot" compost be turned regularly?

Question

I have a compost bin that is 1 metre X 1 metre X 1.5metres high. Originally full of thin layers of green grass clippings then dry leaves,horse manure,and soil. Also mixed in a handfull of blood and bone,lime and dynamic lifter pellets at the start of each group of layers. I have a temperature probe that I use to keep an eye on the temperature. I want to use this compost as quick as possible. I have heard that turning it every week is a quicker way of doing it. After turning about 5 days later it reaches about 60 C, then on Saturdays I turn it again. Every time I turn it it loses much of its heat and doesn't recover to 60 degrees until 2 days before I turn it again. Would it be better to not turn it until core temperature starts to drop ?

Answer 1

You appear to have everything sussed. Turning compost lets in oxygen which is needed to speed up the breakdown of the material.

Answer 2

Yes you should continue turning the compost in order to ensure efficient breakdown of the materials

Answer 3

There is absolutely no need to turn compost at all.  It will rot by itself.  As you've noticed, the compost cools dramatically each time you turn it.  As long as it's "cooking" so well in the center, I'd recommend leaving it alone for a while.  You will find that you get usable compost from the center of the pile, while the outside of the pile will have to become the "center" of a new pile in order to cook down quickly.

Answer 4

According to the book,

'Let it Rot! The Gardener's Guide to  Composting' by Stu Campbell

The compost should reach a peak internal temp. of approx. 150F. Once the temp drops back to approx. 100F, THEN you can turn it. If you turn it too soon, the microbes that create that high heat will not have finished their jobs. The high heat will cook and kill weed seeds and starts, and other bad things that could hurt your garden.

So you may want to wait several more days before turning it. I usually turn mine once every 2-3 weeks.  I built a 2 compartment bin 5'x 5' x 4'.

Answer 5

The reason the temperature goes is because of the microbial action going on. They need oxygen to do their work, turning the pile gives them that oxygen. They work faster and finish your pile quicker with the fresh air. Once a week is right for maximum speed in the breakdown process.Good job, well done!