In order for a compost pile to work efficiently, the correct moisture content must be achieved.
The organisms that do the composting need water to live and when the moisture content is too low, the biological activity stops because the organisms need water for their metabolism. Low moisture content slows down the composting process. Compost that is too dry looks more dusty and less like fresh soil. It will often crumble apart in your hand.
High moisture content must also be avoided. When excess water fills the pore spaces in the compost, oxygen diffusion is impeded and this leads to anaerobic conditions. The microorganisms drown because they are deprived of oxygen. If you hold compost in your hand, and you can squeeze water out of it, the compost is too wet. The compost is often foul-smelling (ammonia) and clumped or matted together.
The moisture content of compost should range between 40 to 55 percent. Compost should not release water, but stay compacted. Piles that are aerated well and turned often will have a desirable moisture content percentage.
Each month, we send a sample of our compost to the US Composting Council lab. One of the many properties that is tested is the moisture content.
The organisms that do the composting need water to live and when the moisture content is too low, the biological activity stops because the organisms need water for their metabolism. Low moisture content slows down the composting process. Compost that is too dry looks more dusty and less like fresh soil. It will often crumble apart in your hand.
High moisture content must also be avoided. When excess water fills the pore spaces in the compost, oxygen diffusion is impeded and this leads to anaerobic conditions. The microorganisms drown because they are deprived of oxygen. If you hold compost in your hand, and you can squeeze water out of it, the compost is too wet. The compost is often foul-smelling (ammonia) and clumped or matted together.
The moisture content of compost should range between 40 to 55 percent. Compost should not release water, but stay compacted. Piles that are aerated well and turned often will have a desirable moisture content percentage.
Each month, we send a sample of our compost to the US Composting Council lab. One of the many properties that is tested is the moisture content.
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