After the hot middle of the thermophilic compost sustained a temperature of 160 F for 24 hours I turned it at 5 am.
After finishing my coffee, I went outside and prepared the area to turn the compost. I used a tarp to place the top part of the compost and top sides of it on it. This is because I wanted to then take the hot middle and place it in a new cage on the bottom of the pile.
I had to use a 5 gallon bucket to transfer the hot middle to the new cage/start of the new pile. With each bucket I am breaking up materials and ensuring there are no clumping with materials that can reduce oxygen and encourage anaerobic conditions and organisms. You can see actinobacteria in the picture above. It is a white ashy looking organism not to be confused with fungi. Breaking up clumps will help reduce the actinobacteria with each turn. Actino bacteria is ok but just will reduce mycorrhizal populations and really is only desired in early successional plants like kale and grasses.
The smoke is not too bad today here in Eugene, Oregon. Even though there is no Sun, it helps with managing moisture levels with no direct sun hitting the pile. I should be able to squeeze a handful of compost and see A drop of water.
Just an hour ago or so this pile reached 160 F. This means I have 24 hours before I need to turn again. So far so good for this thermophilic compost pile that I need to successfully do in order to get my compost certificate from The Soil Food Web School!
