How do I prevent my compost from becoming too dry?

As the weather heats up and we head into summer our compost piles have a tendency to dry out. In order to maintain sufficient temperature levels in the compost and ensure that the material is breaking down effectively we need to make sure that the compost has enough moisture. In ideal situations your compost should have the consistency of a damp, wrung-out sponge.

You can do the following "Squeeze Test" to determine if your compost requires watering:

1. Reach into the compost and grab a handful near the centre of the pile.
2. Squeeze the handful tightly for a couple of seconds and open your hand.
3. If the pile stay clumped together and does not release excess water then it is the right consistency. If it falls apart when you release your grip then it will need to be watered.

One way to ensure that the moisture content stays consistent is to water it on a regular basis. When you venture out into your gardens to water your prize begonias make sure to turn the hose on your manure pile as well. Adding a small amount of water each day is better than letting the compost get dusty and dry and then trying to re-wet it back to the 50% range. Another option is to hose down the manure and bedding while it is in the wheelbarrow before adding it to the final compost pile.

If water is being restricted in your area then you may want to set up a rainbarrel next to your composting system that you can dip into during periods of drought. Contact your local municipality for more information on subsidized rainbarrels and availability.