Tried leaving my compost bin uncovered in the rain for a week and the results surprised me

I usually keep my compost bin covered to avoid it getting too wet and sludgy. But last month in Portland we had that dry spell and my pile was bone dry, barely breaking down. So I said screw it, left the lid off during a three day drizzle. Thought it would be a mess. Instead it started heating up for the first time ever and the worms showed up. I learned that my pile needed moisture way more than I thought. Has anyone else had better luck with a wetter pile vs keeping it dry?

3 comments

3 Comments

thea85720d ago

Wait, "started heating up for the first time ever"? That's wild. I always thought wet piles got cold and sludgy, but you're saying the rain actually kicked it into gear? I've been keeping mine covered for years because I was scared of mold and smells, but maybe I've been doing it all wrong this whole time. The worms showing up too is a big deal, they only move in when conditions are right. Now I'm seriously tempted to just leave the lid off next time it rains and see what happens, even if it feels risky.

sandrat2420d ago

Just add some browns if you try it wet so it doesn't go anaerobic on you.

violamurray20d ago

So it started heating up for the first time ever and the worms showed up" - same thing happened to me last spring when I got lazy and left the lid off for a week. My pile was way too dry before and the rain totally woke it up.