March 07, 2004
Compost Pile
I turned my compost pile this afternoon -- probably the only time I will do so this year. I don't turn it often, so it doesn't decompose very quickly. My pile is mostly oak leaves and kitchen scraps, with some occassional rabbit manure and potted plants that can't take my sporadic watering schedule. 
For this reason, I don't include weeds that seed in the pile: it doesn't get hot enough to kill them. I usually have useable material only once per year: I harvest the compost in October just before I fill the pile back up with the autumn's leaves.
Because I have a relatively cold compost pile, there is lots of life inside. Today I found a potato plant growing in the pile (complete with itty bitty potatoes!), and an avocado seed that is trying to grow. Several years ago, I added red wiggler worms to the pile. I won't find them there when the weather gets hot and dry, but we've had plenty of rain so far this year and they are thriving. The photo shows a bunch I found hanging out among the coffee filters -- must be the rare Eisenia fetida Starbuckius!
Look at those worms wriggle!
Cool compost pile and according to Mr. Malcolm, you're doing it the right way...I rarely turn my compost and usually just add more scraps and cover them with leaves. The racoon and opossums love the fruit that makes it way out there, usually apples that I forget to eat and since they are organic, they feel especially fortunate.
:>)