Ready to use compost in 30 days!
Turn raw materials into finished, biologically active compost in as little as 18-30 days using proven thermophilic methods.
This comprehensive online course teaches you the complete thermal composting process—from understanding the science of heat generation to producing consistent, pathogen-free amendments for your operation.
Achieve and maintain optimal temperatures (131-170°F) for pathogen and weed seed elimination
Build piles with the critical mass needed for proper heat generation
Master the modified Berkeley method for fast, reliable results
Monitor temperature patterns to understand what's happening in your pile
Implement effective turning schedules that maintain aerobic conditions
Recognize true maturity indicators—not just when it looks done, but when it's biologically ready
Troubleshoot common problems: piles that won't heat, nitrogen loss, anaerobic conditions
Scale thermal composting from backyard to commercial operations
Video instruction with real-world demonstrations
Step-by-step pile construction tutorials
Temperature monitoring protocols and interpretation guides
Downloadable recipes, calculators, and tracking sheets
Complete thermal composting manual (PDF)
Real time text support
What's Included:
Thermal Compost Recipe Calculator (Excel spreadsheet with auto-calculating ratios)
Pile Size Requirements Chart for different scales
Temperature Monitoring Log and interpretation guide
Construction step-by-step guide with photos
Turning schedule templates by method
Maturity assessment protocol
Master troubleshooting decision tree
Material C:N ratio database
By the end of this course, you'll be able to:
Build a thermal compost pile that reliably reaches and maintains proper temperatures
Understand what temperature patterns tell you about your pile's progress
Adjust recipes on the fly based on available materials
Recognize and fix problems before they ruin your batch
Assess finished compost for biological activity and maturity
Produce consistent, high-quality amendments season after season
Perfect for:
Market growers and farmers who need finished compost quickly
Operations transitioning to biological amendments
Anyone frustrated with slow, cold composting methods
Growers who need pathogen-free amendments for food crops
Commercial composters seeking consistent quality
Gardeners ready to move beyond passive composting
Not sure if this is right for you? If you have limited space, minimal materials, or prefer a hands-off approach, our Cold Composting or Vermicomposting courses might be better fits.
Speed: Finished compost in 18-30 days vs 6-12 months with cold methods
Safety: High temperatures eliminate pathogens and weed seeds
Quality: Thermophilic process creates diverse, active biology
Scalability: Works for backyard gardens to commercial operations
Consistency: Repeatable process with predictable results
Volume: Process large amounts of material efficiently
Diversity: A properly run hot pile builds a broad and active community of bacteria, fungi and their predators.
Investment $497
FAQ section
You've got questions. We've got answers.
The course contains 8+ hours of video content. Most students complete it within 2-3 weeks, but you have lifetime access to all materials and can work at your own pace.
For backyard scale: just basic tools (pitchfork, compost thermometer). For larger operations, we cover equipment options and recommendations for every scale and budget in the course.
Perfect! This course is designed for beginners through advanced composters. We start with fundamentals and build to professional-level techniques. No prior experience needed.
Minimum 3'x3'x3' (1 cubic yard) to generate and hold heat. We cover exact size requirements and how to adjust for your climate in Module 4.
Yes! Thermal composting actually works better in cold weather because the pile generates its own heat. We cover seasonal adjustments and cold-climate strategies.
You'll need a mix of "browns" (carbon) and "greens" (nitrogen) in specific ratios. The course includes a complete material database and sourcing guide. Most students find free materials locally.
Yes, when done correctly. Maintaining 131-170°F for the proper duration eliminates most pathogens and weed seeds. We teach you exactly how to achieve and verify these temperatures.
This course focuses exclusively on the thermal (hot) method. Our Composting Mastery course covers three methods (thermal, cold, and vermicomposting) plus biological targeting. If you only want to learn hot composting, this course is perfect. If you want all methods, choose Composting Mastery.
Yes! You get 60 days of email support to ask questions as you build your first batches. Plus lifetime access to course updates and materials.
This course includes extensive troubleshooting for common problems. Many students take it specifically to fix issues with existing systems. The temperature monitoring and troubleshooting modules will help you diagnose what's going wrong.
Yes. If you're not satisfied within the first 30 days, we'll refund your purchase in full, no questions asked.
More Questions?
Contact us at wendy@microbegrower.com or schedule a free 15-minute consultation to discuss if this course is right for your operation.
Investment $497