Managing Your Bins
Step 7. Finishing the Piles
The Compost is not ready to use until it has had time to finish, otherwise known as “curing.” This is a low temperature stage, where the more complex plant compounds such as lignin and cellulose are metabolized by a number of specialized organisms. For example during the curing stages the bacteria actinomycetes, which are visible as white strands/mats resembling fungi, produce the earthy smells associated with great compost and forest soils. Keeping the piles moist throughout the curing stage is important, but do not be worried if the temperatures are extremely lower than in the younger piles. Temperatures below 100 degrees Fahrenheit (assuming the pile reached high temps in the first place) are a sign that the curing stage of the pile is taking place.
Two to three months of curing is safe, following five to six months of active composting. If there is still woody material left in the compost after 9 months, this compost can be used around trees or bushes, or it can be screened for use in the garden and potting mixes. Large particles can also be screened out of the compost and incorporated into a new compost pile.