Compost Faster By Monitoring the Temperature of Your Compost Pile!
There are so many compost thermometers on the market. Why choose ours? Our thermometers have been carefully crafted in order to give you the easiest method and most accurate temperature readings for your compost pile. All compost thermometers are
not alike. Here's what you'll receive with your Cate's Garden thermometer:
- Sturdy construction with stainless steel and reinforced welded bolting
- 2.5”-wide, easy-to-read dial
- PC-coated, hermetically sealed lens to eliminate fogging and to keep your readings clear
- 20” extra-long stem to get deep into the pile and obtain an accurate reading of what's going on inside your compost heap
- 100% no-hassles guarantee – so you can be sure you love your Cate's thermometer for years to come
- Temperature conversion and compost guide – Fahrenheit to Celsius
Quick, Clear, Easy-to-Read Results – Every Time
If you've tried other compost thermometers, you may have seen areas that could have been improved. So did we. That's why we decided to create the Cate's Garden Premium Compost Thermometer. A wider, clearer dial. Better quality, rust and corrosion-resistant construction. A probe that doesn't easily bend and break. A reinforced bolt between dial and probe to avoid it snapping … though, to prolong the life, please don't twist the dial while it's in our compost heap. With Cate's, your thermometer will give you a fast, accurate reading through a no-fog PC lens on a wide 2.5” dial. No squinting, no pulling the thermometer back out to wait for it to de-fog and possibly receive an inaccurate reading.
Why Do You Need a Compost Thermometer?
In order for organic materials to decompose, a temperature of 135-160F should be maintained. Any cooler, and the decomposition process slows down, and unwanted parasites and bugs will remain; any hotter, and your compost pile may be inhospitable to the beneficial microbes that digest the material. Of course, any organic matter will decompose if given enough time, no matter what the temperature of its environment. However, a “cold” heap will take much longer to turn into usable compost. A temperature range of 135-160F is the perfect environment for worms and composting-friendly microbes to thrive and to turn your pile into rich, fertile compost. A compost thermometer lets you know exactly what temperature your pile is maintaining so you can troubleshoot easy fixes for your compost pile.
Using Your Compost Thermometer
Using the thermometer to gauge your compost pile's temperature is easy. Simply insert the stem of the thermometer into the center of the pile. Wait 60 seconds and read the temperature on the dial.
What if Your Pile's Temperature Isn't Ideal?
Now that you know the temperature of your pile, what can you do about it if it isn't ideal? There are several easy fixes for a compost heap that is either too hot or too cold.
For a “Cold” Compost Pile (Below 80F)
- Mix and aerate the pile with a long stick or a pitchfork. Your microbes breathe oxygen. Getting air flowing inside the pile will help them reproduce. It's their activity that warms up the pile.
- If your compost is too dry, add some water. If too wet, add more brown materials and turn your pile.
- Place a tarp over the pile. The tarp will help heat stay inside the pile.
- Place mulch on top of your pile. This produces an insulating “blanket.”
- If you live in a cold-weather area, make sure your pile is placed in a sunny area.
For a “Hot” Compost Pile (Above 160F)
- Add water to “cool” it down
- If you have a tarp or cover on the pile, take the cover off. Make sure you do this during the cooler times of day (morning and evening).
- Consider placing some sort of shade over the pile, particularly during warm summer months.
- If you have a large pile, split it in half.
If your compost pile is the optimal temperature, then falls, it either means your compost is finished (it'll have that “earthy” smell and rich soil texture, or you need to turn it, moving newer material into the center.
For more composting tips, including what materials to add, “greens” and “browns”, troubleshooting and other types of composting methods, please join our community to receive our “Dirt On” Guide to Composting!
