One of the most difficult parts about making good compost is turning the pile every few days to keep the process going. This is our version of the Johnson-Su Bioreactor that requires no turning. It has a wire frame that has an inner layer of heavy duty breathable landscaping fabric to hold the compost inside the structure as it matures. The fabric also holds moisture to promote constant fungal activity. The inside air tube is also made of wire so that the complete pile can get plenty of oxygen to accelerate decomposition. Add a few inches of carbon (80-90%) and nitrogen (10-20%) mix at a time and moisten as you go. You can also add red wiggler worms to speed up maturation process. Compost that matures without turning will have a higher fungal content which is much better for your garden than a higher microbial content.
To test the moisture level grab a handful of compost and squeeze. If just one or two drops come out, the moisture level is perfect. If no drops come out, then disperse about a gallon of water and test again in a few hours. It's very important that the pile is never allowed to dry out. Dryness can kill the fungal activity. Keep an eye on the pile especially when temperatures are high in the summer. If well maintained, the pile can be ready for use in 6 to 12 months.
