Composting is an eco-friendly way to turn organic waste into valuable fertilizer, and compost turning machines play a crucial role in this process. If you want to speed up composting using compost turning machines, try these practical tips:
- Prepare Your Materials Well
Chop everything smaller: Break down materials like straw, branches, or food scraps into small pieces. More surface area means microbes can work faster.
Balance carbon and nitrogen: Aim for a C/N ratio between 20:1 and 30:1. Add nitrogen-rich materials (like manure) if there’s too much carbon (such as dry leaves), or mix in carbon sources (like straw) if there’s too much nitrogen (such as fresh grass).
- Build Your Pile Right
Choose a suitable composting location: Choose a sunny and well-ventilated place for composting. Avoid composting in low-lying, water-logged or poorly ventilated areas to avoid affecting the fermentation effect of the compost turning machine.
Size matters: Keep piles 1-2 meters wide and 1-1.5 meters tall. This shape lets air circulate while keeping enough mass for heat buildup.
Add airflow channels: Create vents at the bottom and sides using pipes or spaced-out bulky materials (like corn stalks) to prevent dead zones.
- Manage the Process
Turn regularly: Flip the pile with your compost turning machines every 3-7 days. This mixes materials, adds oxygen, and prevents overheating or smelly anaerobic spots.
Check the heat: Use a compost thermometer. Ideal temps are 55-70°C – hot enough to kill weeds but not so hot it cooks the microbes.
Moisture management: Keep the compost moist, but avoid over-wetting. The ideal moisture content is 50%-60%, which can be adjusted by regular inspection and appropriate watering.
- Boost with Additives
Microbe helpers: Add compost turning machines containing nitrogen-fixing bacteria or cellulose-eating microbes to jump start decomposition.
Save nutrients: Sprinkle rock phosphate or zeolite to lock in nitrogen and prevent smelly ammonia loss.
By following these steps, you’ll turn waste into rich compost faster while avoiding common issues like bad odors or slow decomposition.