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  • #1

    Grass clippings get hot!

    I scrounged a pile of grass clippings yesterday from the council's mower man. He was really pleased about having somewhere local to dump them as he has to drive back to the park depot to drop them off otherwise. He said too that in this weather the grass clumps really badly and doesn't get picked up unless he can empty the beast of a machine quite often.
    As a result my street has got lovely neat grassed areas and our allotment has a big pile of grass.

    About 7-8 hours after it'd been dropped off I went out to move some to add a layer to my compost heap. I had gloves on and started moving it. Even with gloves on I could feel it warm underneath so I went in and got the digital IR thermometer thing I bought my OH several years ago. You just point it and get a reading.

    My OH was intrigued as to what I'd come in for so followed me back out.

    The pile was 30'C inside!

    We checked the pile of bark we've had on the site for a couple of weeks and that too was about 29'C.

    Will have to check the grass pile again to see whether it gets hotter - but was very impressed to actually be able to see it for myself and measure the temperature!
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  • #2
    time to build a hot bed maybe?

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    • #3
      That's one of the reasons why grass clippings are a great addition to a compost bin - the warmth they generate speeds up the decomposition of everything else - AND makes your resident worms leap into action!
      I left a bag of grass clippings over night as I did not have time to spread them as a mulch on me tatties. Next day I could hardly get my hand in the bag it was so hot and there were clouds of steam when I emptied them out!
      When the Devil gives you Cowpats - make Satanic Compost!

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      • #4
        it is very supprising just how quick the tempreture does build up,sometimes it's to hot to hold,
        Now i wonder if an open compost heap,with all fresh stuff,then cover with a generouse amount of grass would work any quicker than inter laying in a black bin/palets,
        sigpicAnother nutter ,wife,mother, nan and nanan,love my growing places,seed collection and sharing,also one of these

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        • #5
          Well I put a good few inches on the top of my compost that's in a bin.
          I've got another mountain of compost that could probably do with half a ton of grass clippings throwing on top to smother the weeds (My tarp cover for used for the bark we had delivered) ...
          Just don't want to be greedy and have it all.

          Although I imagine the mower man will be just as happy in a fortnight to give us another lot.

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          • #6
            Originally posted by alldigging View Post
            Well I put a good few inches on the top of my compost that's in a bin.
            I've got another mountain of compost that could probably do with half a ton of grass clippings throwing on top to smother the weeds (My tarp cover for used for the bark we had delivered) ...
            Just don't want to be greedy and have it all.

            Although I imagine the mower man will be just as happy in a fortnight to give us another lot.
            never look a gift horse in the mouth,if you can use it,
            sigpicAnother nutter ,wife,mother, nan and nanan,love my growing places,seed collection and sharing,also one of these

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            • #7
              And today it's 41.5'C!

              Just been out and measured it!

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              • #8
                I'd be tempted to double wrap a joint of meat in foil and bury it in the middle! Be done to a turn tomorrow!
                When the Devil gives you Cowpats - make Satanic Compost!

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                • #9
                  Originally posted by Creemteez View Post
                  That's one of the reasons why grass clippings are a great addition to a compost bin - the warmth they generate speeds up the decomposition of everything else - AND makes your resident worms leap into action!
                  I left a bag of grass clippings over night as I did not have time to spread them as a mulch on me tatties. Next day I could hardly get my hand in the bag it was so hot and there were clouds of steam when I emptied them out!
                  It's not just speeding up decomposition that's important, it's getting hot enough to kill weeds seeds and pathogens. Grass cuttings are brilliant but you do need to mix with other material(some folks call it browns) otherwise you can end up with a slimy mess.

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                  • #10
                    Originally posted by alldigging View Post
                    The pile was 30'C inside!
                    They can spontaneously combust too

                    Grass clippings are a great mulch as well as a compost activator: spread them 1-2" thick around spuds, onions etc

                    I've just been out to measure my compost bin: it was 20c before I added the lawn clippings, I'll have another look tomorrow
                    All gardeners know better than other gardeners." -- Chinese Proverb.

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                    • #11
                      Originally posted by Creemteez View Post
                      I'd be tempted to double wrap a joint of meat in foil and bury it in the middle! Be done to a turn tomorrow!
                      Suspect the fox might like that too!

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                      • #12
                        Some time last year we had a delivery of grass cuttings from the landscaping company that takes their bi-products to our lottie site. I happened to be there one day when nobody else was about and while I was gathering some of the cuttings for a mulch I noticed the heat coming from it. It was a cold morning and I do suffer with various back pains and the like, so for just a little while I made a kind of armchair shape in the mound of grass clippings and wallowed in the luxury of the heat. It was pure bliss...and such a sweet smell. Good job I'm not allergic!

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                        • #13
                          Originally posted by Creemteez View Post
                          grass clippings are a great addition to a compost bin - the warmth they generate speeds up the decomposition of everything else
                          Yep, they create ideal conditions for the different types of composting bacteria: The Science of Composting - Composting for the Homeowner - University of Illinois Extension
                          making your compost decompose quicker and better
                          All gardeners know better than other gardeners." -- Chinese Proverb.

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                          • #14
                            I've been using them as a mulch, however, would it be wise to use Park ones as a mulch...just thinking of Dandelion heads etc?
                            the fates lead him who will;him who won't they drag.

                            Happiness is not having what you want,but wanting what you have.xx

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                            • #15
                              The willingness of grass clippings to heat up is why they are forbidden to horses....
                              Flowers come in too many colours to see the world in black-and-white.

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