Better Together: Dirt Wain and Bactigrow Harness Microbes for Next-Level Composting

At Dirt Wain, we’re always looking for ways to make composting faster, more efficient, and more beneficial to the soil. That’s why we teamed up with Bactigrow to take our composting to the next level using an Aerated Static Pile (ASP)—a system that speeds up decomposition without the need for constant turning. But the real game-changer? Bactigrow’s powerful bacterial inoculant.

ASP (background) and piles (left to right): wood chips and cow waste, compost heel, raw compost.

Building the Pile: The Perfect Blend for Rapid Breakdown

For this proof-of-concept, we combined:

✅ 1 ton of raw compost – fresh organic material ready to break down

✅ 1.5 tons of compost heel – a microbially rich, partially broken-down compost to jumpstart the process

✅ 2.5 tons of wood chips mixed with cow manure and urine – the ideal carbon-to-nitrogen balance for sustained microbial activity

✅ Bactigrow’s bacterial inoculant – a specially designed formula that doubles the number of microbes every 20 minutes, accelerating decomposition and nutrient availability

Layering and inoculating the inputs

With this powerful mix and Bactigrow’s aeration system, the ASP hit 150°F—even during sub-zero weather! That’s proof that with the right conditions, microbes can generate their own heat and keep the process moving, no matter the temperature outside.

Layering the compost in the aerated static pile

Fan housed in bin continuously pumps air through the pile

Containers of inoculant

How Bactigrow’s Inoculant Supercharges the ASP

The bacterial inoculant does more than just speed up decomposition—it plays a crucial role in creating nutrient-dense, pathogen-free compost by:

🔥 Rapidly increasing microbial populations, ensuring a thriving composting environment

🦠 Breaking down organic material faster, making nutrients more available to plants

🛡️ Helping to kill harmful pathogens, making the final compost safe and more effective for soil health

This next-level approach means we’re composting faster, creating richer soil amendments, and reducing waste more efficiently than ever before.

We uncovered the pile after 30 days and probed it to check on the process.

The Results: A 30% Reduction in Pile Size—And Counting

In just a short time, the pile has already shrunk by a third, a clear sign that materials are rapidly breaking down into high-quality compost. With the combination of ASP aeration, microbial power, and high temperatures, we’re seeing accelerated decomposition and are confident that rigorous testing will demonstrate nutrient retention we have not been able to achieve before.

Taking a core sample: virtually odorless, super fluffy, dark hummus!

Why This Matters Next-level Composting

This collaboration with Bactigrow isn’t just about composting—it’s about transforming organic waste into a powerful tool for soil regeneration. With advanced techniques like ASP and custom microbial inoculants, we’re proving that composting can be:

✅ Faster – Breaking down organic material efficiently, even in harsh conditions

✅ Safer – Reducing pathogens for a cleaner final product

✅ More effective – Creating compost that provides plants with highly bioavailable nutrients

Let’s Keep Innovating!

We’re always looking for ways to push composting forward. Stay tuned for more updates on our ASP experiments, and if you’re interested in learning how cutting-edge composting can work for you, reach out! At Dirt Wain, we’re not just reducing waste—we’re rebuilding soil, trillions of microbes at a time.