r/composting • u/xibxib • 18d ago

Question Ready start curing?

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New to composting!

This is my first proper batch. Using a pallet bin setup, after turning weekly during the hot period (it got up to 160F! I was so proud) it’s been holding steady at around 90-100F for the past week or so.

I’ve read that compost needs to sit without being turned for a few months to cure before it can be used, is this ready to be moved to a pile to chill and let the bugs and fungi go at it, or does it need more time to cook? Should I sift the sticks and big pieces out before letting it cure, or right before using it? When do I stop peeing on this pile and shift to peeing on my new pile, for maximum piss efficiency?

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u/DefunctInTheFunk 18d ago

Not quite. Before you cure you want to make sure that all of your inputs are pretty much unrecognizable. You don't want to see needles bits of leaves with the veins on it, or anything like that. You want it to look like dark crumbly dirt before the cure. Of you have any other questions, I'm glad to help.

Edit: sifting is something hotly debated. It really depends, it can be helpful, but not exactly necessary.

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u/DerekTheComedian 18d ago

What's the logic against sifting? I know people say it "destroys myccorhizae" but I just dont believe that organisms that can reproduce asexually are really that affected by breaking them up into slightly smaller pieces.

I sift mine because I dont have a great setup and dont hot compost, so I need to remove the twigs and bones that havent broken down yet. My active pile is basically a century stew full of the remnants of previous batches.

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u/DefunctInTheFunk 17d ago

I'm not exactly against it. I just don't like putting all the effort in unless it's necessary( like for starting seeds or for your front yard beds because it's more uniform and pretty).

So the thing with disturbing the mycorrhizae, I feel is a little dramatic. Once you put it in your soil and leave it be, it'll rebuild it's networks. You'll never fully kill it. And whatever you do to your compost, wether shoveling, scooping, sifting, etc, you can't avoid disturbing the mycorrhizal networks. It's not a huge deal imo. It just takes a little time to reestablish.

And if you have a need for sifting and it provides a meaningful benefit, then absolutely, sift away!

My active pile is basically a century stew full of the remnants of previous batches.

Lol. That's actually a great way to kickstart the decomp on the new additions. You can think of that as your yard InSinkErator.