Composting 101

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Comment by Oz Gardener on May 11, 2009 at 3:28pm

Layering is a good method, I'm afraid I can never be that neat, I tend to toss the items in and that is why I have many piles too.

I hate turning too - but it does speed up the process, but you're right it is not required. Someone gave me a Compost Tumbler over 15 years ago and it now and looks like hell but it still works. It is simpler to crank it but it does not hold enough for me and if you pack it full it is too hard to crank. I always wanted to build a solar powered tumbler that will turn 1 rotation a day. I have it as number 203456 on my list of things to do.

For fun in the summer I like to turn my Mantis mini tiller to my compost piles - talk about shredding it up. It tears the compost to tiny little pieces and add fun to the process. I imagine to be more green you could use an electric tiller? Point is no matter how you do it you gotta mix it up!

Comment by John Walker on May 11, 2009 at 3:12pm

I only turn mine when I want to get compost from the bottom.
I tend to shred everything and layer green and brown stuff in thin layers.
I do have 7 piles though...
pax

Comment by Oz Gardener on May 11, 2009 at 2:44pm

Most of the questions were answered and I can only add to them. Rule # 1 no fish, meat in your compost. That will attract your dogs and mice. Rule #2 to compost - Turn Turn Turn - so when you add new scraps (greens)add in some Browns and turn the pile and cover you tracks. This will speed the proces and keep away any bugs and critters. Good compost smells like fresh earth, it should have a nice smell.

Yes, start now, no better time! You did not miss the boat! However open piles take longer than closed composting systems. You might want to consider placing something on top of the pile before a heavy rain ( an old tarp, a plastic lid from a guarbage can etc). Too much water can harm the process. You want to cook compost, so a cover can keep in the heat and keep out rain.

You should be able to have compost this year, but to make sure you may want to make two or more piles. If you keep adding new material to a pile it will never finish 100%. I would start one, get it going, cover it and start another pile right next to it. This way in 2 -3 months one pile is done and I can start the process all over. 2 small piles would be better than one large one if you want to get compost right away,.

Comment by Joy Williams on May 11, 2009 at 3:36am

tip on compost, no animal products, except egg shells should go in it.

Comment by Joy Williams on May 11, 2009 at 3:16am

I can't answer your first question,, but I might be able to answer some of the other ones. I think first one of those bins might be more suitable for a small yard and close neighbors. It would also forestal any problems with mice or dogs, I would guess. I have not had problems with a compost bin smelling. You will probably get some compost useable this year. It all depends on what you put in it. having redworms in it will speed it along. My dog has never gotten into my compost bin, but he's not into veggies. In terms of how much compost, soil, or whatever, here's the formula to figure it out:

I think the formula is length times width times depth= total cubic feet. 1 yard of soil =27 cubic feet 1 So I think you divide that number by 27 to know how many yards, approxiamately. I would use a mix, of 20% compost, 30% manure from a critter, and 50% soil. Oh and addendums, depending on the ph you need.

Comment by Peter Gleason on May 10, 2009 at 9:44pm

I have a few basic questions about composting - started my first raised bed garden this year. I live in a small townhouse with a very small yard where obviously the homes are close together and lots of neighbors.
- does an open compost pile attract mice?
- is a compost created in one of those composting bins more suitable for a small yard, close neighbors?
- how much compost is required to replentish the soil of a small raise garden bed of 3'x8'?
- does a compost bin smell?
- I assume if I start one now it will be ready for next year - not this year??
- I have a dog, do I need to fence it off from the dog?
Well, I guess that's enough questions for now - it'll get me thinking and planning.
Thanks, Peter