Noticed a huge difference in my compost after I stopped turning it

I started a compost pile in my backyard last April, and for the first few months I was out there every week turning it with a pitchfork. Then I got busy with work around August and just let it sit. When I finally checked it in November, the bottom layer was finished compost, dark and crumbly, way faster than when I was mixing it all the time. Has anyone else found that less work actually speeds up the process?

2 comments

2 Comments

elizabeth_williams22d ago

My neighbor let hers sit for six months while she was traveling and it turned into the best compost I've ever seen, dark and smelling like earth. I'm starting to think all that turning just slows down the natural breakdown process.

campbell.logan21d ago

Oh, I have to disagree a bit - turning aerates the pile and prevents it from going anaerobic and getting stinky.