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Compost pile prior to
being "turned" |
Turning the compost pile; an event that happens every three to four months, or in our case, once every year. Yes, we'll admit it. We're horrible at remembering to turn the compost pile. There's no excuse. It's not too late to make another new year's resolution, right? None the less, our compost pile is the gift that keeps on giving.
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The amazing compost at the
bottom of the pile. Ready
for the garden. |
There are two components (that we were told) to compost. There are "Green" and "Brown" elements. Browns are considered leaves, grass clippings and more leaves. The greens are the "other" compostable elements including foods (breads, fruit peels, leftovers) manure and other compostable goodness! The ratio between greens and browns should be 50/50. It's typically the greens that people have a hard time finding. However with 5 hens living in our backyard, chicken manure is something we're never short on!
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Did you know that hens actually help accelerate the
composting process? They kick and turn up the
material while they eating the weed seeds you
don't want! How cool is that?! |
Chicken compost is really potent. Much more potent than horse, pig, or cow manure. You don't want to just place it right on your garden, it will burn your plants. To make kick-ass compost with your chicken manure... it needs to cook in da pile a while (at a hot compost temperature of 130 to 140 degrees for about 60 to 90 days) just to be safe. You don't want to burn your little seedlings!
The chicken manure I'm pulling out of the coop today should be ready about May. Here's to healthy composting and a yearning for spring!
