Compost thermometer

I just treated myself to a compost thermometer after turning my pile this morning and adding 10 buckets of manure. Anyway to move things along in wintertime?

The manure ought to do the trick!

I'd be interested to see the temperature after a day or so... I usually make one big pile in autumn, trying for the hot method, usually works well.

Best of luck to you! TM

Day one, 42 degrees outside, 52 degrees inside the pile: 3 feet by 4 feet by 3+ feet tall

Add urine. My pile is at 90 f after sustained 5f to 20 f temps. The top 2" of straw are a frozen crust. The pile size is 6' x 6' x 4'

Awesome temp! Good idea on urine, there's certainly a never ending supply.

LOL, how'd you know about my fondness for beer!

Alfalfa pellets get it cooking.

Dear Annie, Well you know what else? You're right on the minimum size needed for a pile to heat. I think they say 1 cubic yard minimum, and you're pretty close... I bet it'll work OK, just may take longer. I like the alfalfa pellet idea too, but have never used them...

Out here in farm country, the composters "Holy Grail" IMO, is spoiled silage. Commonly found at a dairy farm, those long white plastic thingys are silos, and at the end of the bag, there's alwaya a certain amount of waste silage. Silage is a high nutrient cattle feed. I reason that it'll also make high nutrient garden feed, especially if you process it through a compost pile.

Hey, just my 2 cents! Best, TM

Third or 4th day, 65 degrees inside 38 outside, each day climbing.