COMPOST PILE:Turning over, and lime

Hi,

Earlier, people believe adding a small amout of lime or wood ashes will help to speed up decomposition at earlier stage, especially pine needles and other acidic are in great amount. But latest they said it's not recommended anymore.

This is from my compost notes, don't know where it come from already.

It was once thought that ground limestone should be added to the compost pile. This is no longer considered necessary since the organisms function well with a pH of between 4.2 and 7.2. The compost naturally will become less acid as it matures. Adding lime helps convert ammonium nitrogen to ammonia gas, which can create an odor problem as it escapes from the pile and can reduce the nutrient content of the finished compost. Adding lime may also cause the pH of the finished compost to be higher than optimal for plant growth.

Regards, Wong

-- Latitude: 06.10N Longitude: 102.17E Altitude: 5m

Thanks, I guess I won't do it.

If you want to speed up the compost and don't have enough green material, soak a bag of rabbit food from a feed store (alfalfa pellets) and mix it in.

I have plenty of green material from chicken bedding. I probably do not have enough brown material.

I've included shredded brown paper lawn bags, grocery sacks and soy-ink newspapers when that happens.........

There are a number of ways to speed the composting process (proper brown/green mix, moisture, air, temperature, etc). Compost typically buffers the pH to neutral. Do not add lime unless you plan to use it for alkaline-loving plants. Stick to adding organic materials to the compost.

Also be kind to the mouse, after all that is his home.

Henry