Summer Composting Tips: How to Keep Microbes Working in the Heat

Summer Composting Tips: How to Keep Microbes Working in the Heat

When the summer sun is blazing, your compost pile heats up too—and that can be both a good thing and a challenge. While heat can speed up decomposition, it can also dry out your compost and stress the microbes that do the real work.

Here’s how to help your compost thrive in July heat:

Summer Composting Tips

1. Keep It Moist—but Not Too Wet

Your compost pile should feel like a wrung-out sponge: moist, but not soggy. In hot weather, moisture evaporates quickly. Use a watering can or hose to add water when needed, especially after turning.

2. Balance Browns and Greens

Feed your microbes well with a healthy mix of carbon-rich “browns” (like dried leaves, shredded newspaper, or cardboard) and nitrogen-rich “greens” (like grass clippings, fruit peels, and veggie scraps). A 3:1 ratio works well.

3. Turn It More Often

Frequent turning adds oxygen and redistributes heat, which helps speed up decomposition and prevents unpleasant smells or microbial die-off.

4. Use a Compost Starter

Boost your pile with a microbial-rich compost starter. It helps maintain healthy biological activity, especially when heat stress might slow things down. Earth Smart’s Compost Starter is designed to thrive even in hot summer conditions.

5. Provide Some Shade

If your compost pile sits in direct sunlight all day, consider shading it with a tarp, cloth, or nearby plants to avoid over-drying.

Takeaway:
With just a few adjustments, you can keep your compost pile humming along all summer. And with a 10% discount on Earth Smart Compost Starter this July, there’s never been a better time to give your microbes a boost!

Shop now and save 10% on Compost Starter all month long from July 1 to 31, 2025.
👉 Compost Starter

Please contact us at 1-866-444-7174 or email info@earth-smart-solutions.com if you have any questions on our products. We would love to hear from you!


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