Okay, as most of you know I built my first pile this fall. 3'x3' and it was doing really well. I read somewhere that you don't get the right cooking if you don't have at least a cubic yard in size. Well, after reading this I kept adding more and more materials to it. Now it is about half the size it started out at but I still have tons of dried out weeds that haven't and won't decompose. I tried adding a whole bunch of molasses and cottonseed meal and veggies and coffee grounds and chipped up dried leaves. However, now I have a mess. I don't reckon I can screen out the small stuff and use it for fear of the seeds that weren't killed. What do ya'll suggest? I mean, I will buy a second bin in a couple of weeks to start a new pile with and let this one cure but how do I fix this old it so I can heat it up and kill the weed seeds? Should I just layer it with alternating layers of dry browns and dried molasses product?

Nina,
Thats how I build my compost. I turned mine last weekend and was supprised at how many of the little critters that were working on decomposing the compost there were. Since it was cold I thought it was time to turn it. With each layer, I added shredded brown leaves and handfuls of dried molasses. So it goes to show even though the pile is cold, the decomposing is still going on. I still have weeds from when I cleaned up the garden last year, in the compost bin that looks like when I first put them in the bin. I am not worried since then will decompose when the weather warms up. I only turned my compost once since last fall.
Whne I use my compost I just take the big pieces out and put in the other bin to finsh the decomposing process.

Nina, could your pile be too dry? From reading your post, that seems like it may be the problem. Just guessing.

I think the pile could be too dry, especially since we are getting ready to transfer it to the new house. For the most part I do try to water it once a week with a slow drip from the hose when I don't have any rain water handy. Do you think it would be safe to sift out the big stuff and go ahead and use this? Or should I be patient and let it cook for a couple more months with some new materials? The materials I put in from early fall are all done breaking down. It's just the new stuff I put in there trying to keep the pile at a cubic yard that has sat there looking untouched for two months now.

Thanks!
Christina

I'll give you my two bits on your question. If it is done composting, it will be OK to use. As a caution, I've seen people using unfinished compost and hurting their garden. From what I've read, the unfinished product tries to complete composting in the garden soil robbing the plants of nutrition.