Does compost need to be hot to be effective for your garden?
In short: Charles Dowding demonstrates how heap size and composition influence decomposition speed. Learn how balancing green and brown materials regulates moisture and why hot heaps are not a requirement for successful composting.
Filmed on May 6th at Homeacres in Southwest England, this guide explores the practicalities of composting in a temperate oceanic zone 8 climate. Dowding emphasizes that compost heaps do not need to reach high temperatures to be effective. Instead, the process relies on balancing green and brown materials, which helps maintain optimal moisture levels—keeping the heap moist but not saturated.
As heaps naturally cool, they become habitats for red worms (Esenia fetida), which play a role in the decomposition process. The video showcases various heap dimensions and types, concluding with an introduction to a new wormery setup.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Compost making and results from varied sizes of heap
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