Factors Affecting Composting
Five factors influence how long composting takes and how much heat is generated:
- carbon and nitrogen content of materials
- size of particles
- moisture content and aeration of materials
- volume of materials
- time and temperature
With ideal composting conditions, high temperatures will be generated to destroy weeds and pathogens and organic materials can be composted in several weeks. In less than perfect conditions, decomposition may take several months or even years. But remember that, as with all organic materials, composting will happen in a matter of time.