Urea/Ammonium for Compost

[NurseMike]

Hello, I am new to this forum. I have had a small spinning composter for a while now. I made some partially composted material last year. This year I started a few weeks ago. I have a lot of "brown" material that is very carbon-heavy (twigs, shredded paper, dried leaves). My only real nitrogen sources have been kitchen scraps, used coffee, and leaves from fresh green weeds. My compost is still cold (66 degrees F to be exact). I was thinking of ordering urea crystals, ammonium, or blood meal to throw in there to provide some nitrogen. Has anyone tried this? How much would you use? Would you dilute it in water and pour it in? Thanks!

 

[oneeye]

I just use poultry mix with Urea to get mine to heat up, Its 10-1-1. Been using it for many years because it works very well and is cheap.

 

[Chuck]

I just throw in some of my 3-2-3 chicken manure-based garden fertilizer and wet it down with molasses. But then I live in Texas where it's HOT. I do not use any non organic substances in my vegetable garden and the only thing that fits in your list is the bloodmeal. What you need for organic materials to break down are microbes, both bacterial and fungal, and the fastest way to increase their numbers AFAIK is carbohydrates i.e. molasses.

 

[chrishmorris]

You are thinking of buying urea crystals, dissolving them, and pouring it on your compost? I just pee on it.