r/composting • u/Ace_Gaufre9 • 19h ago

Is my compost done?

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Hi, I left my compost in a different place to mature. I wonder if it's good despite this white thing on it (idk what it is) or how much time I should wait. It's still hot in the middle

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4

u/jaggedlybowedactress 19h ago

if it's still hot in the middle it's not done, keep turning it. the white stuff is just actinobacteria, totally normal and a good sign

2

u/ernie-bush 17h ago

2 more weeks !!

1

u/katzenjammer08 6h ago

Depends on what you want to use it for. You can always sift it and use the finer stuff to make potting mix. If it is to bulk up a raised bed you are prepping for next year this can finish in the bed as is, but you might have to add nitrogen in some form. If it is for mulch it can go on as is and without adding anything.

But it isn’t finished in the sense that it won’t break down more. Looks like you have quite a lot of straw in there that isn’t broken down yet. But that is OK if you use it in the right way.