Alongside turning, you can make composting more efficient by maintaining the 3:1 brown-green ratio, even when using unusual compost ingredients, and not letting your pile dry out. 'Keep compost as ...

Turning the pile at least once a week allows oxygen to reach microorganisms that break down organic matter. Turn the pile with a pitchfork, compost tumbler or by rolling a sealed bin on the ground. 3.

The best way to turn compost piles is with a strong shovel or gardening fork. Try 3-bin composting systems or compost tumblers. These composting systems make it much easier to turn compost.

In addition to correctly layering green and brown organic matter, periodic turning of compost is necessary to get air to the ...

What you’ll get, and when: With a maintained and turned pile, you may have compost within several months. If you use a passive method and don’t turn the pile, you’ll get compost in about a year.

Piles can be turned or aerated with a turning fork or compost aeration tool (you can order one online). The organic matter in the pile is the food the microorganisms eat.

After turning and watering, the compost should increase in temperature as the microbes become more active. Our compost will usually reach 160 degrees F, then eventually cool off as it matures ...

Here's how to keep composting in winter so you'll have finished compost in spring. beekeepx / Getty Images Gardeners often assume outdoor compost piles stop working in cold weather, but beneficial ...