Digging up, or more accurately, harvesting a compost pile involves accessing the finished, decomposed material ready for use. You typically harvest compost once the organic matter has completely broken down into a dark, rich, earthy substance. This stage is reached after the raw materials undergo a process of environment breaking down with water, and constant turning and monitoring.
When is Compost Ready for Harvesting?
Knowing when your compost is ready is the first step before you "dig it up." Finished compost should look and smell like rich earth, not like food scraps or yard waste. It should be dark brown, crumbly, and have a pleasant soil-like odor. If you still see identifiable pieces of food or large plant matter, the compost isn't fully mature and needs more time to break down. The entire process of composting involves the right environment breaking down with water, and constant turning and monitoring to reach this finished state.
Methods for Digging Up / Harvesting Compost
How you harvest your compost often depends on the type of compost bin or pile you have.
1. Harvesting from Continuous Compost Bins
Many store-bought or DIY compost bins are designed for continuous composting. These bins often have a hatch or door at the bottom.
- Process: To harvest from these bins, simply open the hatch at the base and scoop out the finished compost. The newer, less-decomposed material will be at the top and will settle down as you remove the finished product from below.
2. Harvesting from Batch Piles or Open Bins
For simple open piles or bins where material was added all at once (batch composting), you might need to access the compost differently.
- Process A (Bottom Access): If possible, carefully remove the outer layer of less-decomposed material and access the finished compost which is often found towards the bottom and center where conditions are most favorable for breakdown.
- Process B (Sifting): The most common and effective method for batch piles or large heaps is sifting the entire pile.
Sifting Your Compost Pile
Sifting helps separate the fine, finished compost from larger, still-breaking-down pieces. This gives you a much finer end product ready for garden beds or potting mixes.
Tools Needed for Sifting:
- Garden fork or shovel: To move the compost onto the sifter.
- Compost Sifter (Screen): This can be a simple frame with wire mesh (like hardware cloth) set over a wheelbarrow or tarp. Mesh size typically ranges from 1/2 inch to 1 inch.
- Wheelbarrow or Tarp: To catch the sifted compost.
- Gloves and Dust Mask: Recommended for handling compost, especially dry material.
Steps for Sifting (and "Digging Up"):
- Set up your sifter: Place the screen over your collection vessel (wheelbarrow, bin, or tarp).
- Load compost: Use your shovel or fork to lift sections of the compost pile and place them onto the sifter.
- Sift the material: Gently shake, push, or rub the compost through the screen. The fine, finished compost will fall through.
- Collect the "overs": The larger pieces that don't go through the screen (called "overs") are unfinished.
- Return "overs": Add these larger pieces back to your active compost pile to continue breaking down.
- Repeat: Continue loading and sifting until you have processed the desired amount of compost or the entire pile.
| Method | Best For | Process | Key Tool(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bottom Access | Continuous Bins | Open hatch, scoop from base | Shovel, Bucket |
| Layer Removal | Batch Piles (manual) | Move top layers, access bottom/center | Fork, Shovel |
| Sifting Whole Pile | Batch Piles (efficient) | Push material through a screen | Sifter, Shovel/Fork |
By using these methods, you can effectively "dig up" or harvest the valuable finished compost that resulted from the careful process of environment breaking down with water, and constant turning and monitoring.
