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market-farming - Re: [Market-farming] Decomposing Hay

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  • From: robert schuler <sunnfarm AT bellatlantic.net>
  • To: Market Farming <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Decomposing Hay
  • Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2006 10:37:34 -0500

You need to correct the ratio of carbon to nitrogen. I think legume hay is around 12 to 1 grass hay is 20-30 to 1 and straw is up around 70-90 to 1. So depending on the type of hay you are using there can be a vast difference in the decomposition rate. Sometimes  hay is treated with the preservative Propionate acid, the same stuff used to preserve store bought bread but it won't effect composting speed. Try mixing a couple pounds of ammonia nitrate in 5 gallons of water and water the pile with that, it should heat up and compost fast... Bob.
Sunny Meadow Farm
Bridgeton, NJ.

"Andrew R. King" wrote:

Every six months I start a new compost pile. Old bales of hay are broken up and spread on the ground before animal and green manures are added. This year when spreading an eighteen month old compost pile, I found much of the hay in the pile had not decomposed. The pile had been turn over four times and its temperature was a good 160 degrees. Are some bales being treated with something that would stop them from decomposing?

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