If the material to be composted is too wet, as with most manures, the limited amount of air available in the pile will hinder the process. Adding a bulking agent to manure, such as wood chips, corn stover, or leaves, allows air to get into the pile. Turning the pile over i s another way to en sure that air gets into the composting material. Moisture is also an important factor in composting. The ideal moisture content is about 60 percent moisture with an acceptable range of 50 to 70 percent.
Moisture is lost from the pile throughout the composting process.
It is important to add water if the compost gets too dry, and to stir or add more bulking agent if it gets too wet. As a function of the composting process, the pile begins to heat up. For maximum composting efficiency, it is important to keep the compost temperature between 80 F and 130 F. Weed seeds and disease-causing organisms cannot survive at these temperatures. It takes three days at 131 F to kill parasites and pathogens. For more information on compost piles, refer to Bulletin 792, Modern Composting , available through your local county Extension office.