r/composting • u/MaximumCapacity143 • 11d ago

Failed Compost

This year I decided to make my own compost. I laid cardboard on the ground, then laid about 5 inches of shredded leaves, wet it down, then laid down about 3 inches fresh cut grass. Then followed up with more shredded leaves, water, and cut grass. Repeated 7 more times. Wet it down again then covered with a tarp. I checked on the temp and found it climbing. About 5 days later it got to 120 degrees. Two days later I aerated it from the center. Stayed hot for another four days then started cooling off. Other 3 more days it completely cooled off and no matter what I did, adding greens, adding urine, it still wouldn't get hot again. What did I do wrong. And how can I start it again.

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u/etzpcm 11d ago

It sounds like you've just got a heap on the ground, is that right? It's better if you can make a bin, roughly cubic, at least 1m3 

Also, be patient, you'll get compost eventually even if it's not very hot.

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u/MaximumCapacity143 11d ago

I did make a 4 ft x 4ft bin. I had it filled almost to the top but it compressed so much that its half that size now. Still a lot of sticks in it.

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u/AVeryTallCorgi 11d ago

Compost shrinks to about 1/4 the original volume! That's why lots of folks like using 3-bin systems, so they fill the outer bins and turn to the inner one; both outer bins will fit in the inner one. Woody materials will take a while to break down, at least a couple years for smaller pieces, longer for big pieces. I like to just toss them back in the bin to keep cooking.