Stainless steel thermometer with long probe to measure the temperature of compost and soil. 50 cm long
Comes with a thorough leaflet to explain the colour coded temperature ranges. This is sent via email after you have done your purchase. Please look for an email with the subject line: [KoruKai Herb Farm] Files available for your order
BioKai - Health from the Ground up is a sister company of KoruKai Herb Farm with the intention to provide resources and education about biological farming and gardening. Check out our website for more info: www.biokai.co.nz (parts are still under construction).
A compost thermometer is a necessary piece of equipment for hot composting in a home garden setting and for commercial operators. It gives you an indication of the microbial activity, telling you when it needs to get turned and indicates if your carbon and nitrogen ratio of your compost materials were adequate. The higher the heat, the faster your materials will break down. But you don’t want it too hot to loose nitrogen and other nutrients. You also don't want your pile to go anaerobic with excessive heat. By measuring the temperature you will see if you have added too much green material (gone too hot) or not enough (too cold) and if your moisture level was adequate (not enough moisture, no microbial activity). This will help you make a better compost the next time and will make you a better gardener. Without a thermometer you are merely guessing and you cannot improve this valuable skill as a home or commercial gardener.
FEATURES · Easy to read large dial · Temperature range 0-100 °C · Colour coded temperature zones from 20-74 °C · 50cm long stainless steel probe · Accuracy + 1 °C
Please note: The BioKai thermometer is hermetically sealed to withstand the weather and prevent fogging. We still advise to not leave it sticking in the compost for long periods of time and to store it in a garden shed, garage or back porch to avoid damage. We generally leave it sticking in the compost for 1-2 weeks so we can quickly get an idea of the temperature in the core of the pile when walking past an active pile. This tells us if we need to turn it. We make sure that it is under the composTex cover to protect from the weather.
Measuring and monitor the center temperature of a thermal compost heap or windrow with our BioKai Compost Thermometers. Take 2-3 readings per m3 heap and 3-6 readings for a windrow.
Temperature is read from the tip and takes about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Take a few measurements per pile to get a more accurate reading.
View the video below to learn more
Thermometer comes with a thorough leaflet to explain the colour-coded temperature ranges.
It can also be used to measure the temperature of soil in spring which helps you decide on the time to plant out your first crops/seedlings.
This is why we make hot/thermal compost at KoruKai Herb Farm:
Kills weed seeds and other seeds from plants we don't want everywhere
Kills pathogens found in manure and plant matter
Kills plant diseases
Perfect ratio of carbon and nitrogen material to feed the soil food web and grow healthy plants
Improves soil structure: aggregates formation, stick soil particles together to make soil crumbly and easier to work with
Supplies nutrients ready for plants to take up, it is also charged so that nutrients and water can be held in the soil and don’t get washed out
Better drainage in heavy soils
More water storage in sandy soils
Increases aeration and the oxygen availability for the roots
Increases activity and the number of soil microorganisms
Makes soil darker and so it warms up earlier in spring
Produces healthy plants that are more resistant to disease and pests
Thank you for the very quick delivery. I ordered the thermometer one day and it was here the next, ready for wrapping as a Christmas gift. So thanks again for such fabulous service and attention to detail with the communication. Outstanding.
1 out of 1 people found this review useful.
Grade 
Kat Jenkins13/10/2022
Excellent
Fabulous tool for monitoring your compost temperature - an activity which becomes a little addictive! Highly recommended for dedicated composters!
1 out of 1 people found this review useful.
Grade 
Russell25/05/2022
Love it.
Thermometer arrived last week. Much used already in our various compost stacks. We are beginning our transition no-dig vege gardens- an exciting prospect. I have much to learn but having a thermometer gives us an ability to measure. Love it.
Thanks. Blessings.
1 out of 1 people found this review useful.
Grade 
Leanne09/05/2022
Great Wee Tool
I’m very happy with this product. It’s easy to use, easy to read (although the dial does sometimes fog up), came with useful basic information and accurately reveals what’s going on in the compost heap. Thrilling for a beginner to hot composting to see the needle steadily move to the green zone ?
Grade 
Karen01/05/2022
compost thermometer
This compost thermometer is accurate - I measured it against boiling water and ice water - and it's easy to use and to read. It's great that it's stainless steel so that it won't bend, and it will last.
Grade 
Renee 30/04/2022
Happy composting
It’s a ‚must have‘ item to have for a successful composting system but unfortunately it’s not water tight.
Grade 
Luke 30/04/2022
Its getting hot in here
I havent tested the accuracy in boiling water, but its great to have control over my compost piles. Nice product and highly recommend.
Grade 
Anna-Marie Kingsley 29/04/2022
Compost thermometer
Arrived very promptly after ordering, well packaged and works just great.
Grade 
Emma28/04/2022
Good quality thermometer
Great sturdy thermometer, definitely essential for measuring temp in a compost pile as it’s plenty long enough to reach the centre
1 out of 1 people found this review useful.
Grade 
John McFadgen28/04/2022
Good Value!
Bought 2 to use on my own garden and nearby Community House compost heaps. Good quality, well-priced with useful support info. I’ve composted for years but found these very instructive in confirming what is going on in heaps.
Grade 
Mike Stewart-Jacks28/04/2022
Composting temperature
The BioKai composting thermometer does all it's claimed to do although the glass dial does get a little steamed-up. Certainly helps understand what going on - I would have had no idea it was up to 68 degrees without it. Recommend it to all hot-composters.
Grade 
Angela Fitchett28/04/2022
Essential tool
As a beginner learning about composting this thermometer was super useful. I could read what was happening inside a pile of compost and then turn, add green or brown material or water in response to the temperature as I experimented and learnt. Very easy to use, easy to read too. Arrived promptly. Highly recommend!
Grade 
Richard U28/04/2022
Great product and value
Thanks for this. Works really well and does the job!
Grade 
Mark Bevin 28/04/2022
Quick to use
Happy with this thermometer- easy to probe the heap and quick response. Received in flimsy package vulnerable to bending so perhaps consider taping to a stick of wood in future? THe red plastic tip-cap broke off fairly quickly but it seems to be superfluous
This is an action packed morning learning how to make a proper hot compost heap. You will be introduced to composting and will learn why things are done a certain way. To deepen this knowledge we will be building a hot compost heap right on the day.
This is part of a 2-day Soil Health Weekend. If you are interested in the full weekend workshop please see more info here.
Date: Sunday, 24th March 2024 Time: 9:30am-1pm Location: KoruKai Herb Farm, Pigeon Bay, Banks Peninsula
We will provide morning tea and hot herbal tea in the morning.
Fully Booked! To go onto the waiting list or be informed about future workshops please sign up below.
A deep dive into biological/regenerative farming and gardening for soil health, human health and environmental health. Over two days we cover the soil food web, nutrient cycling, plant and soil microbiome, making hot compost, managing a worm farm and liquid extracts.
Dates: 23rd and 24th March 2024 Time: 9:30am - 4:30pm on both days Location: KoruKai Herb Farm, Pigeon Bay, Banks Peninsula This workshop includes a comprehensive workshop book to take home and a nourishing lunch.
Sign up below and get notified once it is available.
This amazing class brings together what we have learnt, observed and experienced over the last 10 years of making compost, both on small and medium scale.
We will teach you the classic hot composting method as well as our very own no-turn hot compost, which we developed and refined over the last 10 years. You will also learn about compost extract with your very own compost.
We have experience in compost making on a 500m2 section in the city as well as on a rural farm, so we can guide you along based on our experience.
ComposTex Compost Covers (also known as "compost fleece") is a completely breathable, non-woven fabric made of 100% UV-resistant polypropylene that sheds rainfall and snow melt from compost piles and covered windrows while oxygen perforates.
At KoruKai Herb Farm we even use it for a fast to install, low-tech worm farming system straight on the ground.
Available sizes (please choose your size below):
1.20m x 1.20m
1.20m x 2.40m
1.20m x 3.66m
For different sizes, large quantities or a whole 50m roll (3.66m width) please send an email to Kai at [email protected] for a quote.
We can do any length you require and the width will be 3.66 metres.
The TeaLAB Extract Bag is made out of 400 micron nylon mesh and climbing grade binding. Hand stitched in Seattle USA by a cut and sew shop that specializes in hard-core backpacking gear, needless to say, this bag is made to last.
This bag is great to make your own compost and vermicast extract. You can also suspend the bag in a compost tea brewer with the carabiner clip.
Sizes (please choose below):
Small Extract Bag: 23 cm x 36 cm to make 20 litres of compost extract or tea
Large Extract Bag: 51 cm x 56 cm to make 60-200 litres of compost extract or tea. For larger amounts like 1000 litres simply add fresh compost to the bag 3-5 times, dilute and add to your brewer.
The TeaLAB Extract Bag is made out of 400 micron nylon mesh and climbing grade binding. Hand stitched in Seattle USA by a cut and sew shop that specializes in hard-core backpacking gear, needless to say, this bag is made to last.
This bag is great to make your own compost and vermicast extract. You can also suspend the bag in a compost tea brewer with the carabiner clip.
Sizes (please choose below):
Small Extract Bag: 23 cm x 36 cm to make 20 litres of compost extract or tea
Large Extract Bag: 51 cm x 56 cm to make 60-200 litres of compost extract or tea. For larger amounts like 1000 litres simply add fresh compost to the bag 3-5 times, dilute and add to your brewer.
This diverse mix has been blended to achieve maximum benefit. It can help with common challenges such as compaction, weed pressure, pests and diseases, low fertility, leaching and erosion.
This cover crop / green manure mix maintains living soil cover in areas that would otherwise be bare. This mix contains seeds from 5 plant families as well as legumes (nitrogen fixing plants), which has been proven in field trials to be very beneficial to build soil structure and to increase beneficial microbes in the soil. They help with the cycling of nutrients and create habitat for beneficial insects.
Sowing rate: 25g per m2
Available in 500g (for 20 m2) and 1kg (for 40 m2). Please select below.
ComposTex Compost Covers (also known as "compost fleece") is a completely breathable, non-woven fabric made of 100% UV-resistant polypropylene that sheds rainfall and snow melt from compost piles and covered windrows while oxygen perforates.
At KoruKai Herb Farm we even use it for a fast to install, low-tech worm farming system straight on the ground.
Available sizes (please choose your size below):
1.20m x 1.20m
1.20m x 2.40m
1.20m x 3.66m
For different sizes, large quantities or a whole 50m roll (3.66m width) please send an email to Kai at [email protected] for a quote.
We can do any length you require and the width will be 3.66 metres.
Worm Supplement, Fungal Enhancer and Worm Farm Conditioner
This blend provides essential nutrients, grit, calcium, carbon and trace elements to get your worm farm humming.
Our special blend contains lime, humates, seaweed and biochar to boost your worm farm’s productivity, enhance fungi, balance pH and provide a valuable carbon source to maximise nutrient retention.
Available in 500g and 1kg bags. Please choose below.
Worms for worm farm are shipped on the date stated above. This gets also printed on your invoice in case you forgot.
Tiger composting worms transform food and garden waste into rich compost and fertiliser to regenerate soil and bring back life force to the below ground livestock - the microbes. This turns on nutrient cycling, grows resilient and healthy plants and increases the water holding capacity of soil - a necessity with droughts and flooding that go hand in hand nowadays.
You will receive 250g of tiger worms (approx. 1000 worms) or 500g (approx. 2000) with some moist bedding in a perforated bag (bedding is weighed separately). The worms come in all ages and sizes.
This amazing guide brings together what we have learnt, observed and experienced over the last 12 years of managing several worm farms to get amazing worm castings for our farm and vegetable gardens.
In this eguide, with well over 65 pages, you will learn how to turn food scraps and farm waste into rich compost and fertiliser to regenerate soil and bring back life force to the below ground livestock - the microbes. This turns on nutrient cycling, grows resilient and healthy plants and increases the water holding capacity of soil - a necessity with droughts and flooding that go hand in hand nowadays.
Healthy soil is the backbone of health - be it environmental, animal, plant or human health. It's our foundation and the solution to a lot of our problems.