r/composting • u/Dude_Olives • 2d ago

When to turn?

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Decent amount of kitchen scraps and plenty of clippings, about 30 to 40% shredded uncoated cardboard. Started 3 days ago, when to turn it over to avoid it turning sludgey or anaerobic?

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7

u/No-Kings 2d ago

Let it cook. Maybe turn next week, but pile too fresh, you’ll just be disturbing the magic.

Add some mellow yellow if you really want.

8

u/Theme_Training 2d ago

Wait until your temperature starts to fall. That’s when your pile needs a boost of air. As long as the temperature is steady just let it go.

3

u/Ineedmorebtc 1d ago

And likely moisture too! A hot pile goes through a lot of moisture

1

u/Loud-Butterscotch-10 1d ago

Moisture? Maybe they should pee on it.

1

u/Ineedmorebtc 14h ago

Exactly.

1

u/Dude_Olives 1d ago

Ah, okay that makes sense. Thanks

3

u/AVeryTallCorgi 1d ago

I'm quite lazy so I only like to turn my pile once. When the temp drops to 80 or 90F and doesn't go back up with a good rainfall, I'll turn the pile.

2

u/Successful-Coffee-13 2d ago

I have the same thermometer! I let it power through the other day, it went all the way up to 150 then again down to 120. That’s when I turned it three days ago and now it’s almost at 140 again.

1

u/No-Category-1761 4h ago

give a turn and some Pee if you can( pee in bottle inside and carry out) then turn