It’s amazing how much advice on turning compost varies. Some sources advise turning compost every two to three days; others just once, and others not at all.
If you’re wondering which advice to take, the first thing to remember is that every composting method works eventually.
If you dump organic material into a pile and never turn it, it will eventually rot down. Turn it once or twice and you’ll speed the process up significantly, and you’ll probably get better compost. Turn it more often, and it’ll be faster, but not necessarily better.
Some people need compost as soon as possible—others can afford to wait. To help you find your sweet spot, let’s explore each factor in more depth.
How fast do you need compost?
Compost breaks down fastest when there is sufficient air in the compost for the aerobic (oxygen-loving) bacteria that work most efficiently in the compost heap.
The idea behind regular turning is that you bring more air into the compost heap, leading to a faster composting process.
For instance, the Berkeley Method (which recommends turning every few days) claims it can produce compost in as little as 18 days.
That’s great if you need compost quickly. However, you can still achieve good compost with occasional or even zero turning—it’ll just take longer.
How good do you need the compost to be?
If maximizing nutrients is your priority, be aware that frequent turning can lead to poorer quality results.
Several studies, including ones by Getahun et al and Zhang et al, suggest that it leads to nitrogen and carbon loss.
And in Sustainability of Modern Composting, William Brinton also argues that turning compost leads to a significant loss of organic material – and that the more you turn compost, the less you get at the end of the process.
So while frequent turning might finish your compost more quickly, it may also cut down on total volume and valuable nutrients.
Of course, even if speed or quality matters, there’s another crucial factor to consider—effort…
How much time and energy do you have available?
For many gardeners and farmers (including myself!) turning compost regularly is too much of a commitment.
Even worse, the expectation that you must turn compost every few days has led some people to quit composting altogether.
For example, Joseph Jenkins, author of the Humanure Handbook, talks about a project teaching Brazilian farmers how to make compost. Three years after starting the project, they had all quit.
Why?
Because turning the compost was just too much work. It was only after Joseph Jenkins taught them about no-turn composting methods that they started composting again.
But it’s not just small-scale farmers who struggle with frequent turning—large commercial systems also face challenges.
Turning compost is expensive and creates additional use of fossil fuels, which is bad for the environment.
For the amateur gardener – especially those with large heaps and bad backs – frequent turning may just not be worth it. Fortunately, there’s a more direct way to reduce turning: build your pile to let in air from the start.
How well is your pile constructed?
Fortunately, there are ways to optimize aeration without turning as much—starting with how you build your pile.
A well-constructed pile can ensure that more oxygen reaches the microbes in your compost heap, reducing the need for turning.
You can achieve this by using bulking materials to create Free Air Space in your compost heap. Think of things like straw, shredded leaves, or wood chips—these create channels for air and keep your pile from compacting.
A key consideration will be whether you have access to enough bulking material. Without sufficient bulking material, you may need to turn your compost more frequently.
How else do you aerate your pile?
Turning is not the only way to aerate a pile. For example, you can use an aerator to reintroduce oxygen or use a drilled PVC pipe to encourage a consistent flow of air.
These can reduce or eliminate the need for turning—which is especially beneficial for people who may struggle with physical labor.
Learn more: 11 Ways to Aerate Your Compost
Season
Aside from pile construction, another major influence on your composting routine is the weather itself.
Is your climate hot or cold? Compost heats up faster in the summer (at least if not in an insulated bin), but is slower in the winter. That means in the winter it uses less oxygen, and requires less turning.
In colder months, it’s also crucial to keep as much heat in the pile as possible. Turning too much can cause you to lose the valuable heat produced by microorganisms.
Another factor to consider is the amount of material you have in different seasons.
From spring to autumn, your garden will be generating a large amount of material. It may well be worth turning your compost to speed up the process, create space for new material, and to ensure you can apply compost throughout the gardening season.
In the winter, there is little material to add, and you can afford to let the process slow down, as your compost will have several months to mature before spring.
Learn more: Frozen Compost? Don’t Panic—Here’s What’s Happening Inside
Final thoughts
With these factors in mind—speed, quality, time, and even the seasons—how do you pull it all together?
Personally, I like to turn my heap at least once to reactivate heating and fix any dryness or dampness issues. But it’s all about balance. If you’re young, fit, and eager to speed up the process, go for it! If not, don’t stress—a single turn (or even none) will still produce great compost over time.
And the most important thing?
Don’t let the frequent advice that you must turn the compost regularly stop you from making your own compost!
Everyone’s situation is different; just remember that composting is flexible, and your method can adapt over time.
TLDR
For speed: Turn weekly (or every few days) to produce compost faster.
For quality & quantity: Turn occasionally to preserve nutrients and increase total volume.
For ease: Turn once or twice, or replace turning with other aeration methods.