The 3 Stages of Composting In general, composting goes through 3 main stages: 1. Thermophilic Stage As soon as the compost pile is prepared, its temperature will begin to rise. The highest temperature is usually in the center of the pile. This high temperature stage is important because it helps destroy plant pathogens, harmful microorganisms, and some weed seeds. It also helps speed up the decomposition process. 2. Cooling Stage After most of the biodegradable organic matter has been broken down, the temperature will begin to gradually decrease. In this stage, the fungi become more active. The hyphae of the fungi help break down hard materials, such as dead branches, dry leaves, and fibrous plant debris that bacteria cannot easily break down. 3. Maturation / Curing Stage The final stage is the ripening or curing stage, in which the compost begins to stabilize. At this point, organisms such as worms and termites will move into the compost pile. Active