http://www.soil-compost-fertilizer.com/q-a/if-airing-a-compost-pile-is-important-why-do-we-need-to-put-a-cover/ Soil Compost Fertilizer - Advice about grass, topsoil, and your garden. Sat, 03 Apr 2010 16:34:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.2 hourly 1 http://www.soil-compost-fertilizer.com/q-a/if-airing-a-compost-pile-is-important-why-do-we-need-to-put-a-cover/comment-page-1/#comment-377 markyfir Tue, 28 Jul 2009 03:00:23 +0000 http://www.soil-compost-fertilizer.com/q-a/if-airing-a-compost-pile-is-important-why-do-we-need-to-put-a-cover/#comment-377 Well it stops the little ***** cats using it for u know whats so that has to be good!!! Well it stops the little ***** cats using it for u know whats so that has to be good!!!

]]> http://www.soil-compost-fertilizer.com/q-a/if-airing-a-compost-pile-is-important-why-do-we-need-to-put-a-cover/comment-page-1/#comment-376 styrckt Tue, 28 Jul 2009 02:05:45 +0000 http://www.soil-compost-fertilizer.com/q-a/if-airing-a-compost-pile-is-important-why-do-we-need-to-put-a-cover/#comment-376 the main thing is it keeps it from getting too wet when it rains the main thing is it keeps it from getting too wet when it rains

]]> http://www.soil-compost-fertilizer.com/q-a/if-airing-a-compost-pile-is-important-why-do-we-need-to-put-a-cover/comment-page-1/#comment-375 tholeede Tue, 28 Jul 2009 01:48:12 +0000 http://www.soil-compost-fertilizer.com/q-a/if-airing-a-compost-pile-is-important-why-do-we-need-to-put-a-cover/#comment-375 i don't cover mine ,i use a pile. turn it to air it out ,you might cover it to keep out the rain or the pests ,or to keep the heat in. i don’t cover mine ,i use a pile. turn it to air it out ,you might cover it to keep out the rain or the pests ,or to keep the heat in.

]]> http://www.soil-compost-fertilizer.com/q-a/if-airing-a-compost-pile-is-important-why-do-we-need-to-put-a-cover/comment-page-1/#comment-374 greenfin Tue, 28 Jul 2009 01:03:54 +0000 http://www.soil-compost-fertilizer.com/q-a/if-airing-a-compost-pile-is-important-why-do-we-need-to-put-a-cover/#comment-374 To keep the heat in and the rodents out! It also helps to regulate the amount of moisture. If it rained a lot for a few days and you had no lid the contents would become sodden and this would stop the decomposition. EDIT...My climate is similar to yours and I cover. The hotter the compost the better. To keep the heat in and the rodents out! It also helps to regulate the amount of moisture. If it rained a lot for a few days and you had no lid the contents would become sodden and this would stop the decomposition.
EDIT…My climate is similar to yours and I cover. The hotter the compost the better.

]]> http://www.soil-compost-fertilizer.com/q-a/if-airing-a-compost-pile-is-important-why-do-we-need-to-put-a-cover/comment-page-1/#comment-373 beccagir Tue, 28 Jul 2009 00:37:45 +0000 http://www.soil-compost-fertilizer.com/q-a/if-airing-a-compost-pile-is-important-why-do-we-need-to-put-a-cover/#comment-373 An open airy compost bin will, in general, decompose faster than a covered pile, however in cool weather it may be hard for your compost pile to get warm enough. Certain microbes only work at high temperatures, so having a cover will help regulate the temperature. It also will help retain moisture, in drier climates. As long as you don't have a problem with woodland creatures, or the neighborhood pets, getting into your compost pile, you can feel free to just rake it into a pile, water it, and walk away. It will break down on its own without any help from you. All the things people recommend are just to make the things decompose faster. An open airy compost bin will, in general, decompose faster than a covered pile, however in cool weather it may be hard for your compost pile to get warm enough.
Certain microbes only work at high temperatures, so having a cover will help regulate the temperature. It also will help retain moisture, in drier climates. As long as you don’t have a problem with woodland creatures, or the neighborhood pets, getting into your compost pile, you can feel free to just rake it into a pile, water it, and walk away. It will break down on its own without any help from you. All the things people recommend are just to make the things decompose faster.

]]> http://www.soil-compost-fertilizer.com/q-a/if-airing-a-compost-pile-is-important-why-do-we-need-to-put-a-cover/comment-page-1/#comment-372 Rob E Tue, 28 Jul 2009 00:33:45 +0000 http://www.soil-compost-fertilizer.com/q-a/if-airing-a-compost-pile-is-important-why-do-we-need-to-put-a-cover/#comment-372 A covering over a compost bin will retain heat, which increases the rate of decomposition. Airing can still be done via vents etc, as you're right that allowing free air movement is important. It also prevents other elements from entering your pile, such as too much water, from a rain storm etc. Weed seeds could also blow in, and potentially not be killed by the intense heat that builds up in rapidly decomposing compost, which would then be moved to your garden, causing weed invasions. I'd still cover my pile, in Sacramento, or San Diego. Hope this helps. Good luck! Rob A covering over a compost bin will retain heat, which increases the rate of decomposition. Airing can still be done via vents etc, as you’re right that allowing free air movement is important.
It also prevents other elements from entering your pile, such as too much water, from a rain storm etc. Weed seeds could also blow in, and potentially not be killed by the intense heat that builds up in rapidly decomposing compost, which would then be moved to your garden, causing weed invasions.
I’d still cover my pile, in Sacramento, or San Diego.
Hope this helps. Good luck! Rob

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