[USCC] Compost starter?

[Craig Coker]

Kevin:

I'd recommend stable, fresh (i.e. not long-aged) compost from a good quality
source (like a USCC STA member).  It adds beneficial microorganisms, adds
some food and energy to support the composting process, and doesn't add a
huge amount of volumetric bulk to the mixing process.  I normally recommend
all composting facilities recycle 3-5% by volume of fresh, screened compost
back to the front of the process as an inoculant.

Regards,
Craig

Craig Coker
Coker Composting & Consulting
3331 Glade Creek Blvd., Ste. 7
Roanoke, VA 24012
Tel.: (540) 904-2698
Fax: (540) 904-6732
Cell: (540) 874-5168
Email: craigcoker at cox.net
Web: www.cokercompost.com
 
-----Original Message-----
From: compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com
[mailto:compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com] On Behalf Of Kevin Donnelly
Sent: Tuesday, April 01, 2008 10:03 AM
To: compost at mailman.cloudnet.com
Subject: [USCC] Compost starter?

Does anyone know what would make a good compost starter?  I process pine
bark for horticulture and we want to speed up the aging/composting process a
bit.  We have used urea before but it works too quickly and  not uniformly.
There are some I have seen that seem to have unnecessary filler that won't
have the effect I need.  I would be adding this in solution as the pine is
processed.
   
  Thanks
  Kevin
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