Compost Bin Compaction Progress - Late Winter Activity - March 2024

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Well...things are STARTING to happen in my 3rd, storage bin in our three-bin compost setup.  That third bin (which I put up last year) is a storage bin full of non-mixed material.  It is LOADED with last season's fall leaves as well as where I've been stashing our kitchen scraps.  Most recently, I topped it off with all of the cut-downs from our ornamental grasses.

Three things have happened all in the past week or so that have managed to move things along in this bin.

First, I applied a top-layer of municipal biosolids.  Both as material to balance the browns (I'm considering biosolids to be a green due to their high nitrogen content) as well as a WEIGHT due to their mass.

Then...(on accident), some of the bin caught on fire. (eek).

And, now, have a look at the bins.  In particular, look at the level of the storage bin on the left.  The top of it is now BELOW the top of the frame:

Compost Bins In Late Winter

Look back at this post from a week ago when the biosolids and grass clippings were mounded well on top of the fence.  A drop of more than a foot of material.  

Either that fire burned out a lot MORE than I think or the biosolids WEIGH more than I think.  Or...the bin is heating up and decomposition is taking place.  Or...all three of those things might be true.

Location: Downers Grove, IL, USA

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