Hot Beds Flashcards
What is a hot bed or hot composting?
the method in which microbial activity within the pile is at it’s optimum level.
What is an advantage of hot beds?
Compost is ready in a much shorter time, around 3/52
What are the ideal conditions for hot beds?
Size of heap- 4ft x 4ft is most manageable for us.
Sit in full sun
Right carbon to Nitrogen ratio from start 25:1
What are carbon rich compost materials?
straw, shredded paper, small twigs, dried leaves
What are Nitrogen rich compost materials?
Grass, fruit and veg scraps, FYM, Deadhead trimmings, coffee grounds, tea bags.
How do you start a hot bed?
Make sure all ingredients finely chopped, mixed together and have a small amount of finished compost to act as an activator, then water.
What temperature should a hot bed be?
Monitor the temperature-it should be around 130 degrees (uncomfortable for your hand)
If its below this, its time to turn the pile and kick start the microbial activity again.
What are the three key points for successful hot beds?
Temperature
Moisture
Regular turning
Why is the the optimal temperature important and what is it?
130-140 degrees.
The microbes breaking down the OM are most efficiant at this temp.
Perfect for reproducing
Hot enough to kill most weed seeds and hrmful bacteria.
How wet should the contents of a hot bed pile feel?
Like a sponge thats been wrung out well.
If the contents are too dry, what happens?
the microbial activity will stop, so water it :)
What happens if the contents of the pile are too wet?
The microbes that thrive in ANAEROBIC conditions take over, the pile will start to smell and decomposition can stop.
What is a remedy for a too wet pile?
add shredded newspaper, or another high cardon material to soak up excess moisture.
