Compost question! First one with a great answer 10 points?

Question

My 3 compost bins were doing wonderful they were done in 2 weeks and strangely i live in Newyork City brooklyn. It hasnt rained in 4 weeks i watered the compost though. There were 2 with loads of worms in it. Then today it started pouring raining. And they were wet i poured the water out but the soil is still soggy any suggestions of what to do?

Answer 1

If your pile is too wet, try emptying it, fluff it out, add more dry stuff, and some dry greens if you have such a thing (bloodmeal, peanut cake, alfalfa meal), and rebuild it.

It's a common mistake to use too much water -- it's probably the most common reason for failures. (Others are not enough nitrogen, and, more rarely, no aeration.).
http://journeytoforever.org/compost_make.html

If the materials are too wet, they will compact and restrict the airflow through the pile. This leads to anaerobic (no oxygen) conditions, which slow down the degradation process and causes foul odors. A pile which becomes too wet should be turned. Turning the compost will dry it out and add oxygen. "At the ideal moisture level, 40-60%, a handful of compost will feel wet but water cannot be squeezed out of it".
http://www.compostinfo.com/tutorial/ElementOfComposting.htm

Also, next time it rains, if you think the compost may get too wet, temporarily cover it with a plastic tarp to protect the pile. Remove the tarp immediately after the rain.

Good luck! Hope this is helpful.

Answer 2

Yep, Angel is right. Too much water will cause anaerobic decomposition....you'll still get compost but it will be stinky, messy stuff and the worms will have died or left. Think of composting in garbage bags....stinky rot.

Are your bins ground bins? Open them up, turn the pile or at least pick it open to allow oxygen in there.

Soil? How much? Normally very little soil is put into compost piles. Just enough to get the microorganisms needed for decomp.

If your compost piles are naturally fluffy, stand back and don't be in a rush to turn them. They need to get cooking internally. You have a soil thermometer? Take readings daily as let it rise to max and then turn it and allow to max again.

Finished compost isn't alway loose and friable. Depending on the size pieces used in the process, you may have to screen the compost to reduce the chunk size at the end.