How wet should compost be?

[misty44]

I've been keeping a compost bin for about two months and this week added some additional worms as it didn't seem to be breaking down as much as i expected. How wet should the compost be?

[PlainQB]

Reasonably dry. There shouldn't be any squidgy or slimey stuff. May I ask what you're putting in it?

A good compost should have a mixture of wet stuff and carbon-y stuff. So the wet stuff should be kitchen waste but you also need dry bulky material such as shredded paper or dry allotment waste. Try and avoid putting too dry material such as wood chippings or sawdust in as this takes a lot of energy to break down. Too many grass clippings can also make compost wet or it can form mats. The best thing is to mix materials together.

I'm abit geeky when it comes to compost, I love making it, mixing it and monitoring it's progress. Mr. QB thinks I'm loopy :)

[PlainQB]

Oh, I should have said; as we're going into spring and summer you shoudl notice it breaking down faster and faster.

[baldybloke]

Also depends on the location of the bins. If they are in the shade it will take longer for to break down.

[misty44]

Thank you for the responses. The compost bin is in full sun, when it is sunny until about 5.00pm then in the shade. I've put kitchen waste such as vegetable matter, t-bags etc and some thin cardboard in so far. It's quite a big amount of both in equal measure. I haven't put garden cuttings or grass.
I read that urine is useful in helping the process as it contains nitrogen but am concerned about the moisture level. Has anyone else used urine?
Misty

[baldybloke]

The cardboard should help dry the heap out. Mine are situated in the shade and are quite slow to compost but there is a good colony of worms working away. I have two on the go at the moment, one active and one ready to use. I really need to get on an use it.
CAT do a really good little book on composting and check out the Garden Organic website for a you tube clip.

[fruitcake]

I have heard that it should meet the two drip test - squeeze it and only two drops of water. Lots of cardboard is good.
I've yet to experiment with worms but have been trying to swot up - so far i've got as far as building a wormery - an insulated wooden box basically but it's not yet made it out of the garage.

[PlainQB]

There are specific types of worms that are good. You want the ones which when you gently stretch them out are stripey. I think they're called tiger worms or something like that. Really red worms like you get in well rotted manure are also good.

[baldybloke]

I hasten to add that I haven't introduced the worms, they found their own way into the heap and seem really happy to be there.

[MKG]

Good point - if everything is as it should be and your bin/heap is standing upon reasonably fertile ground, there should be no reason to introduce worms of any description. They'll find their own way in.

Mike