The Compost Tool

What a pain turning the compost pile can be. Ours sits between two wood fences - it's an out-of-the way spot that's perfect for the pile but not so perfect for the pile-tender. I can get to the front of the pile, but can only get to the other side by clambering over or around the pile. Compost piles should be turned regularly so the bacteria in them can breath and heat the pile up. Without air, anaerobic processes take over and the pile can take on a rather unattractive odor.

For a while, I used a garden fork to lift and fling the pile around, bit-by-bit. Flinging a soaking-wet pile is almost impossible. Then I discovered that a garden rake was a vast improvement, but the tines aren't that long and the rake is rather wide for the job. Then I ran across a long-handled cultivator at an Ace Hardware store and picked one up at a great price. This tool is perfect for the pile. It digs in pretty deeply, doesn't often get jammed with material, and pulls up and through the pile easily.

I've been working the pile the past few days to get reasonably-finished soil, which is at the bottom of the pile, so I can begin loading the raised beds. I'm doing it bit-by-bit so the chickens can work the detritus all day long and I can do other things besides lug rotted organic material around. The pile, by the way, steams when I turn it, which is a good sign. The innards are probably about 100 degrees F or so. There are a lot of worms in it, and they wriggle happily so things can't be that hot.