[Amilo]

How often do you turn your compost and does it speed up the composting?

[simonwatson]

Once a year. I have a three big wooden bins at the end of the plot. One contains manure that is rotting down. One contains last years compost and one this years compost.

The manure and old compost get added to the plot and then I move this years compost to one of the other bins, effectively turning it once. I get a delivery of manure at the end of the year and load that into the now empty manure bin.

The manure never gets turned and over the 9 months or so it's in the bin it turns into the most amazing stuff, all crumbly and black. Ditto for the compost.

[Kirpi]

Never - the only time it gets disturbed is when I scoop it out of the bottom of the heap and let the top fall in; making room to fill from the top again.

I do ram a post throught he middle of the heap occassionaly to let air in.

[lazza]

It depends...

My compst bin tends to get quite dry, so if this happens, I pour 4 or 5 large watering cans full of water into it, turning it between each one. I think this speeds up the process, but don't have any proof! (Although I also love the smell that comes out of the compost when turning - a kind of sweet, grassy, almost minty smell!)

[crh75]

Mine has a lot a grass in it so I fork over the top to keep the air in.  Also when I add chicken coup mess or kitchen waste I bury it in the compost.

[Amilo]

Thanks all.