Supercharge Your Compost Pile: Speed, Heat, and Balance

A hot, fast pile needs: minimum 3×3×4 ft, shredded inputs, moisture like a wrung sponge, and microbial fuel.

Accelerators

• Mow/shred leaves before adding—small particles decompose faster.
• Dampen dry layers; rain often misses the core.
• Lime (1 lb per 5 leaf layers) counters oak acidity—skip for acid-lovers (blueberries, azaleas).
• Fertilizer (1 cup per 15 sq ft) or 2 lb dried manure feeds microbes.
• Shade retains moisture; build concave top to catch rain.
• Cover with plastic to reduce evaporation.
• Turn monthly with fork—aerates and reheats.

Do Not Add

Meat, bones, dairy, plastic, metal, diseased plants, weed seeds, herbicide-treated material. Twigs only if finely chopped; newspaper shredded.

Compost enriches every planting hole—trees, tomatoes, petunias. You can never have enough.