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Reply To: Trouble in the compost bin

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#4148
Elle Reed
Keymaster

Hey! Yes, I agree with Jessica about the ratio of greens:brown. I would also add a couple more reasons why a compost pile might not be heating up…

1. Moisture – keep your compost pile as moist as a wrung-out sponge—neither too dry nor too soggy.
2. Aeration is also vital if you want your pile to break down quickly. Turn the pile regularly to give it fresh air, and chop materials into smaller pieces for faster decomposition, If you have one, use a compost thermometer to check for a cozy temperature between 130-160°F (55-70°C).

If all else fails, a little patience can do wonders as even the slowest compost piles eventually heat up!