Living in Scotland I don't ever have this problem but when I am cleaning out my aquarium I often put some of the water on the compost. You may be able to save some of your other waste water - dishes, shower/bath to put on the heap?
Compost heap drying out!
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[To prevent confusion, 'pot plants' just means potted plants in australia
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Compost heaps are usually designed to encourage lots of air exchange, for the aerobic composting process, in dry situations it helps to actively reduce air flow through the heap. You could put a border around it or cover it with a thin layer of garden soil. Great air exchange wont help if the compost is dry so reducing it is ok.
Compost heaps are usually designed to encourage lots of air exchange, for the aerobic composting process, in dry situations it helps to actively reduce air flow through the heap. You could put a border around it or cover it with a thin layer of garden soil. Great air exchange wont help if the compost is dry so reducing it is ok.
Thanks for the suggestions guys.
Interesting about the indoor compost - wouldn't that small a bit and attract bugs and insects inside?
Unfortunately water is a precious commodity in Australia, so I try not to stand there with a hose and water the compost too often
Interesting about the indoor compost - wouldn't that small a bit and attract bugs and insects inside?
Unfortunately water is a precious commodity in Australia, so I try not to stand there with a hose and water the compost too often
Thanks Rael, yes my compost heap is almost all vegetable and fruit scraps. I give it some water with the hose every now and then - but on a hot day it dries out again by the end of the day. I have tried covering the top with plastic to keep the moisture in and increase humidity - but it still seems to be very dry whenever I go down to check on in
"There are indoor compost containers you could use. The air indoors isn't as likely to have that problem."
That sounds dangerous.
Aside from insects, mold spores are a serious health concern, and plenty of bacteria off gas nasty things if there's something wrong.
You could argue that if your compost pile is perfectly maintained and biologically balanced, then byproducts like that would be minimal- and maybe that's true... but would you really want to risk your health and the health of your family on that?
A mess up could mean a big mold bloom releasing spores into your home when you open the composter.
I'd leave composting outside. Though a shed or something where you don't live could be good.
As others already said, less airflow, more water... maybe try covering it to prevent as much direct sun exposure.
OR you could just let it dry off, and basically put it all on hold until the wet season. It will wait patiently for you while it's dried out.
Edit:typo
That sounds dangerous.
Aside from insects, mold spores are a serious health concern, and plenty of bacteria off gas nasty things if there's something wrong.
You could argue that if your compost pile is perfectly maintained and biologically balanced, then byproducts like that would be minimal- and maybe that's true... but would you really want to risk your health and the health of your family on that?
A mess up could mean a big mold bloom releasing spores into your home when you open the composter.
I'd leave composting outside. Though a shed or something where you don't live could be good.
As others already said, less airflow, more water... maybe try covering it to prevent as much direct sun exposure.
OR you could just let it dry off, and basically put it all on hold until the wet season. It will wait patiently for you while it's dried out.
Edit:typo
I was just wondering about that for a project of mine. I want to start a compost heap in a large 'wheelie bin', maybe 200 or 400 litres (45 or 96 pounds). I was thinking that if I need to move it but it is too heavy to move, I could dry it out to make it lighter. Would the composting start working again when I wet it down again? Would it need some kind of 'starter' or new ingrediets to get it going again?OR you could just let it try off, and basically put it all on hold until the wet season. It will wait patiently for you while it's dried out.
Quote:
I wouldn't bother with a starter, but if you wanted, you could save a little of the wet stuff and add it back in after you rehydrate the bulk. I can't imagine that would hurt, and it might start back up faster... but personally I don't think I'd bother.
Yep! It'll start back up. Bacteria are very good at forming protective shells to hold them over for dry spells (if they couldn't, there wouldn't be any bacteria because dry surface conditions would kill them off and prevent their spread).Originally Posted by shadyseattle
Would the composting start working again when I wet it down again? Would it need some kind of 'starter' or new ingrediets to get it going again?
I wouldn't bother with a starter, but if you wanted, you could save a little of the wet stuff and add it back in after you rehydrate the bulk. I can't imagine that would hurt, and it might start back up faster... but personally I don't think I'd bother.
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