How can I speed up the composting process?

Question

I have a composter at home, into which I put all my fruit and veg peelings, egg shells, egg boxes, teabags etc. I was wondering if there is anything I can do to accelarate the decomposition process so that I can use my compost this spring?

I have been filling the thing since last easter, how long will it take until the compost is ready to use?

I would be grateful for any tips.

Thank you!

Answer 1

Activators.
Garotta is a commercially produced mix of microbes and enzymes designed to speed up the composting process.
Comfrey leaves, chicken, rabbit or pigeon manure added between layers will also get the process started.
Seaweed meal will activate the heap.
Human urine is also used as an activator.

Answer 2

Compost - what a nightmare!
It seems that your heap either burns or does nothing.
Many folk say that the trick is getting the mis right. Not too much grass, not too much cardboard. Personally I reckon that it's a question of time and good luck!
If you have a regular heap, then you just fork stuff on until it is full. Cover it, walk away and leave it for a year. With luck (still think it's luck you see), then when you return it will be perfect.
If you have one of those spinning contraptions, it is supposed to be quicker. But I promise nothing!
I got a wormery from wiggly wigglers. They are fun. Once they are up and running they are great. so I recommend one of them.
You could try Bokashi - which uses enhanced micro-organisms or EMs. They sort of pickle your waste, then you just bury it and it's done.
I think I am going to get a plot of land just to use for my compost. I have finally filled my compost bin so need somewhere to site the new one whilst I wait for it to work. I'll pop back next year and tell you how it's going!
So in summary:
Composting traditionally takes time.
The fastest way is to use EMs
Worms are fun - google Wiggly Wigglers.

Answer 3

One thing used by the old time gardeners, was to add a nitrogenous liquid to the compost heap, the simplest way to do this is to pee on it, very easy for a man, but a female would ahve to use a pot and then pour it on. You should STOP adding any more to it now, and start a second heap, then the old one will be ready in mid to late spring.

Answer 4

I fill up my compost over the year, turn it over to mix once or twice, and then turn it over once more before leaving from Oct to the following Spring when I dig it in.

You can buy phosphate acellerators for your compost, or there is a more easily available source. I recommend urinating on the compost as this contains a large amount of phsophates (and its free).

Answer 5

Urine is a great compost accelarator as it contains nitrogen which heats up the compost heap. Male urine is better as it is stronger so get a couple of men to piss on it.

Answer 6

There's some stuff you can buy in an "old fashioned" hardware store called "Garrotta" (I think that's how you spell it but it's certainly said like that.

Speeds the whole process right up, but you have to follow the instructions regarding where in your compost pile you put it and when to water it etc.

My Dad used to swear by it!

Answer 7

go to the garden centre, you can get something called compost accelerator, it speeds up the composting. but you can spread it on the earth and it will rot down quicker, you can also dig it in.

Answer 8

its frozen because theres no air flow. your on the right track though. let it thaw and yes you could use a hair dryer. but i don't think you'll need any refrigerant, it wouldn't be frozen if it was out. once it starts to melt turn the fan on, just the fan. if its as hot as you say, the hot air will help to melt the ice. once its gone turn the a/c on and see if it starts to cool. you can run it without a filter to see if it works but get one in there soon. good luck

Answer 9

don't add anymore to this composter,get another one then you can use the compost from original one this year

Answer 10

the best way of speeding up compost is to add heat,not sure how u would heat it up though.