While you are out enjoying the warm spring weather, you may want to check your compost pile. It may be time for you to get out there and deal with the materials that you have been dumping there all winter. If you follow the approach of not adding browns (leaves) during the winter, you probably have a big wet pile of mush sitting in your compost bin. Recently we checked out our compost piles and found that they were completely thawed!
It may seem too early to be turning your compost pile, but in many cases it is possible. Regardless, you should definitely cover that big wet pile of mush with some browns. If you are feeling that energetic spring fever you can even go ahead and turn that pile over and aerate it thoroughly.
If you have other questions about composting check out our composting program information or drop us a line at compost@greenactioncentre.ca. If you prefer you can also give us a call toll free at 1-866-394-8880 or in Winnipeg at 204-925-3777.
So if I have a big pile of mush, should I move it to another bin/crate and layer it with browns?
A “big pile of mush” is pretty normal in the spring! You don’t necessarily need to move it over into a new spot, but I would add a nice pile of browns and then stir or aerate the pile to mix things up. As things are thawing out significantly this week, it’s a good time to poke about in the compost bin and see what it might need from you!
No thawing here. I checked last week. There is some steam rising but it’s hard as rock on the top layer in the Composter. It’s a good reminder though and I will add some shredded leaves this weekend.
This year, instead of adding my eggshells to the compost, I donated them to a local rescue farm. The egg shells are ground up and added to the feed to supply the chickens with calcium.
With the warm temperatures this week, keep an eye on your pile!
What a great use for eggshells – would you be willing to share the name of the farm in case anybody else would like to make that connection?
I’ve heard from a number of people who send their organic scraps to farms for animal consumption: this is an EXCELLENT option in terms of “organics recycling” as it puts them to good use as well as cutting down on feed costs and impacts for the animals. If you’re reading this and using that option, you should feel no obligation to switch to on site or backyard style composting.
My medium tumbler was all thawed out and had warmed up to 120F! I’ve never seen this in March. I added a bag of shredded leaves from last fall to top it up and gave it a good mixing. It’s good to be back outside.