How Often Should You Wet Down Your Compost Heap?
Compost needs more than rotting kitchen scraps to work well. It needs water, air, and a well-balanced ratio of organic matter. Wet down your compost heap as often as necessary to ensure it’s moist, aerated, and warm throughout the seasons.
Contents
There’s no easy answer to the question! How often to wet down your compost heap depends on the season, your composting system, and your garden’s setup. Open piles require more water than contained systems, and all composts will need more water in summer than in fall and winter.
Having a watering can or hose nearby is an excellent decision when composting. You’ll want irrigation to be easily accessible so you can apply it when your compost needs it most.
Without water, compost will turn dry, brittle, and crumbly. It won’t contain tons of microbes and worms; it’ll be half of what it can be with regular watering. So, the question remains: how often should you wet down your compost heap?
The Short Answer
You should wet down your compost so that it’s moist, but not soggy. It should be around 50% moist at all times. It’ll require lots of water in the high heat of summer and little, if any water, from fall through early spring.
The exact amount of necessary water will vary from garden to garden. Wet areas, like the Pacific Northwest, have lots of rainfall that keeps compost moist without extra watering. Dry areas, like the Southwest, will require more water than wet regions.
The Long Answer
How much water your compost needs depends on a few factors. Understanding your garden and its conditions will help you decide how often and how much to water your compost heaps. Give them what they need, and they’ll reward you with a black, soft, and humus-rich soil amendment for your yard.
It Depends On The Season
Summer composting systems need regular moisture. They may need water every day! Excessive heat and direct sunlight zap decomposing piles and halt their breakdown.
Fall, winter, and spring are ideal seasons for composting. The materials will readily break down when temperatures are warm, but not hot, and moisture is readily available. Natural rains will help maintain consistent moisture in the piles.
It’s not impossible to compost during winter! You’ll have more of a problem keeping the heap dry than wet during the cool months. Water it as often as necessary so it’s moist like a wrung-out sponge.
The best way to know if the heap needs water is to test it. Use your finger to probe it, or use a dry stick if you’re squeamish. Put your finger, or stick, into the pile and remove it. Does it feel moist and warm inside, or is it dusty and dry? If it’s dry, water the heap.
Choose a Composting System
Different composting systems require varying amounts of moisture. Enclosed, tumbler systems work well with less moisture than open piles or square bins. You may have to water daily or weekly to keep your heap in the 50% moisture range.
There are many composting methods available. These systems are perfect for home gardens:
- Cold Compost
- Hot Compost
- Enclosed Bin
- Aboveground Tumbler
- Open Pit
- Trench Compost
- Lasagna Compost
I use an open pile system with anywhere from one to three piles decomposing at the same time. These heaps need irrigation daily or every other day in the summer, and weekly to not at all in fall, winter, and spring. I live in the Pacific Northwest, where rain regularly wets down my piles.
Your composting system may need less or more moisture. Where you live and what system you use affect the frequency. Whether you use a tumbler, an open heap, or an enclosed bin, it’s a good idea to test the compost regularly to see how wet or dry it is.
Set Up Automatic Irrigation
Instead of having to run a hose or watering can to your heaps, set up automatic irrigation for stress-free watering. Using digital or mechanical timers, you can modify your system to water without having to turn it on.
Digital timers allow for weekly programming. They’re perfect for watering while you’re away on vacation or working long hours. Set them to water the site as often as necessary to keep your heaps moist like a wrung-out sponge.
Mechanical timers work well, too, though they tend to only function for an on-period. You set them to water for 10, 20, or 30 minutes, and your system turns on for the allotted time. They don’t work for vacations, as you’ll need to manually turn them on each time you’d like to wet down the heaps.
Cover The Compost
Another moisture-retaining strategy is to cover the site to prevent water from evaporating. Some systems, like Earth machines, cover the compost naturally so that it stays moist despite hot temperatures.
You may modify any composting method to have a cover. Covers protect the decomposing organic matter from rodents and critters, and they protect the beneficial creatures inside the heap. Worms, microbes, and fungi thrive in dark and moist conditions.
A simple shade cloth or tarp works well if you have nothing else. Simply tie it up above the heaps to protect them from excessive sun. You may also use large containers turned upside down; place them atop each heap to insulate and protect them.
Turn The Pile
Alongside regular wetting, turning is key in keeping a healthy heap! It’ll ensure your piles stay moist throughout instead of solely on the outside. With regular turning and wetting, you’ll have finished compost in a few weeks instead of months.
Turning involves using a pitchfork, rake, or shovel to rotate the waste materials and redistribute them. It’s a crucial step if you’d like to quickly decompose your kitchen scraps, garden clippings, and lawn trimmings.
Without turning, the heaps may decompose on the bottom and leave their tops partially broken down. A simple redistribution can help them get back on track.
Ensure A Proper Ratio
Last but not least, a proper ratio of “brown” to “green” waste ensures the piles decompose without issues. Brown waste is anything that’s carbon-rich, while green waste is nitrogen-rich. You want an even blend of both to ensure the mixture doesn’t grow too dry or too soggy.
For every scoopful of greens, you’ll add two to three scoopfuls of browns. Use this chart to help you determine which materials you have:
| Browns | Greens |
| Straw | Kitchen scraps |
| Fallen, or dry leaves | Grass clippings |
| Twigs and branches | Green plant debris |
| Chemical-free paper | Manure |
If the pile isn’t retaining moisture, add more greens. If it’s retaining too much moisture, add more browns. Browns tend to absorb water, while greens turn slimy and mushy as they break down.
Key Takeaways
- How often you should wet down the compost heaps depends on your garden, the composting system, and the local climate.
- Wet the area more often in summer and less often during cool, wet seasons.
- Some composts retain moisture better than others. Use a shaded or enclosed system in hot regions with arid conditions.
- Alongside watering, turning, and a proper greens-to-browns ratio ensures healthy, problem-free composting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are you supposed to water compost?
Yes, you are! Compost needs to sit at 50% moisture so that it’s as wet as a wrung-out sponge.
Can you overwater compost?
Yes, you can overwater it. Avoid adding too much water, especially in wet seasons like spring and fall.
What is compost water?
Composting water is a liquid solution you make from your compost heap. Dilute some of the materials in water, then add the solution to your plants to feed them.
