Let your compost mature to unlock all its benefits

Is it worthwhile to let freshly made compost mature? Absolutely! Compost gets better with time when left to rest.

To understand more about why that is, we can look at hot heap composting, the classic method for turning large piles of organic waste into compost in farms and gardens.

What produces fresh compost?

The hot heap composting method involves two distinct stages:

• A (hot) pile of fresh compost is created in the first stage, which is sped up with regular mixing
• Next, the pile is left to rest for compost maturation to occur throughout the pile
• This method produces a pile of rested (mature) compost that’s ready for use.

Traditional compost bins and tumblers are practical for smaller amounts of waste, but unlike hot heap composting they only produce (cold) fresh compost and don’t mature it.

You can carefully use the raw fresh compost that you take out of traditional systems, but letting it mature will unlock its full potential. Compost maturation essentially finishes the composting process.

Why is it better to use mature compost?

Fresh compost is immature, and isn’t fully usable like an unripe fruit. When left to rest, fresh compost matures into a crumbly soil-like form which:

• Works like a slow release fertiliser.
• Helps to drought proof soil with its capacity to retain water.
• Is rich in carbon that returns organic matter to soil.
• Has soil probiotics that suppress soil disease and pests.

Bioverter makes composting simple and accessible. Collecting and resting compost is also made easier, so you can produce garden gold year round for your plants and garden.