North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["Mark & Helen Angermayer" <hangermayer@isp.com>]

Hi Doc, Jim, Ginda

Thanks for your thoughts.  I'm a little confused though.  The book on
composting I'm reading indicates the temperature of the compost should reach
160 degrees for "hot" aerobic composting.  It also must be stirred and have
the correct ratio of carbon/nitrogen ingredients.  The book mentions "cold"
composting, perhaps Doc that's what you are referring to?  Quite frankly, I
never understood how the organisms that make the compost can survive such
temperatures.  I always thought 160 would kill just about anything.  But I
think compost piles can get awful hot.  I've heard of barns catching fire
and burning down because the hay was stacked too green, or wet.  I've seen
round bales burned up for the same reason.  Is this composting action?

Mark


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Doc Lisenby" <>
To: <nafex@lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Monday, February 12, 2007 12:56 PM
Subject: Re: [NAFEX] P.S. to adding organic matter


Yeah Jim, that should work where the ambient temperature doesn't allow
oxidation/fermentation by as many microbes as are present in warmer
climates.  Temperatures in an un-turned compost heap here will rise to the
lethal point for nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Swamps demonstrate what happens
in cooler climates versus warmer climates. Decomposition of organic material
in southern swamps proceeds at a much more rapid rate than that in northern
swamps. The noxious smells emanating from compost piles and swamps is due
gases produced by microbes.  More microbes and warmer temperatures cause the
production of more gases.  We are trying to control temperatures as well as
trying to ensure complete and rapid decomposition. Unturned compost invites
slime molds and other undesirable micro-organisms when the compost reaches
temperatures over 90ºF.  Temperatures of compost piles should be in the 70
to 90ºF for the most efficient production of the desired organic soil
additive.  Composting methods should be adjusted to allow for differences in
expected temperatures.  Here, we worry about baking the desired organisms.
So, your method obviously works for you there.  I would have to use
refrigeration to emulate your conditions.  Un-turned compost here turns into
a slimy malodorous maggot- ridden mass reminding one of an opossum road kill
in Florida after a day or two.
Doc

_______________________________________________
nafex mailing list
nafex@lists.ibiblio.org

Reproduction of list messages or archives is not allowed.
This includes distribution on other email lists or reproduction on web
sites.
Permission to reproduce is NEVER granted, so don't claim you have
permission!

**YOU MUST BE SUBSCRIBED TO POST!**
Posts from email addresses that are not subscribed are discarded.
No exceptions.
----
To subscribe or unsubscribe, go to the bottom of this page (also can be used
to change other email options):
http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/nafex

File attachments are NOT stripped by this list.
TAKE STEPS TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM COMPUTER VIRUSES!
Please do not send binary files.
Use plain text ONLY in emails!

NAFEX web site:   http://www.nafex.org/



-- 
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.1.411 / Virus Database: 268.17.37/682 - Release Date: 2/12/07