Making Compost Mulch Intro

Over the last few weeks I have started two compost piles. I will create an article, probably later in the winter, on more details but my goal is to use the compost as a mulch for weed control. I do not chop up the compost "ingredients" rather I just throw fully intact plants (often weeds), last years hay from the bale gardens, grass clippings, and any other organic matter I can get my hands on. In the initial stages I go for more greens than what are required as my goal is to kill as many weed seeds as possible. Once the pile has maintained high temperatures for a few weeks (I turn the piles frequently) I will add leaves to balance the nutrients out.

Quick note on what I have found so far on temps to kill weed seeds.

Weed seeds will start to die at 39 C/102.2 F but it can take several weeks and there are many seeds that still won't die.
Most weed seeds will die at 50 C/122 F but some can take nearly five days.
Most weed seeds will die at 60 C/140 F in under three hours.

Note, these temperatures occur deeper (towards the center) of the compost heap. This is where turning the pile comes in handy as it moves the outside layers into the middle of the pile. It is also important to keep the pile moist as decomposition won't happen if the pile is dry. Also, there is research to support that dry seeds can survive higher temperatures. The larger the pile the easier it is to achieve higher temperatures but unless you have a tractor large piles are nearly impossible to maintain!

I hope to follow up with additional articles with links to support all of this!