Composting

[reliquary]

If this isn't the appropriate forum, please redirect me.

I'd like to see a discussion on composting techniques, tips for success, things NOT to do, etc.  Anyone willing to share?

[keith44]

I'll share what I'm trying and thinking, and what I have learned from reading various books and articles.

Basically try to put in equal amounts of green and brown products.  The actual method of making the compost is as varied as are people, some use sheet composting, some use tumblers, some use various styles of piles to compost with.

Look for a post from me about my compost pile, what I did, and what I was thinking.  If you want specifics I can go into details on any questions.  I will readily admit that this is my first efforts at a true compost pile.

[reliquary]

Thanks!  Switching over to the other discussion now...I did a search on the forum but it didn't turn up your other post.

[keith44]

You found it anyway

I would recommend looking into mother earth news and hobby farms magazines.  Some of the content is more for people who are more left leaning than I am, and there is a definate "save the planet" slant to the mother earth news.  However, there is alot of good info there.

Keith

[LunaticFringeInc]

Plus 1 to what Keith44 said.  Many recommend using equal parts of Browns and Greens for optimal results.  Im not lucky enough to use that much Greens but I do well enough whith what little I do get for the pile.  My compost is mainly comprised of dead leaves, soiled bedding straw, Rabbit/Cow Doo and wood chips.  Not the fastest way to get a pile of dirt but it does work, just takes a little longer, but its worth the wait!

One thing I will add is dont get Composting Bin or Tumbling Barrel from Home Depot or Lowes without first reading the extensive online reviews...they arent generally glowing regarding the quality of the item in question.

[charles p]

I have an Urban Compost Tumbler.  They advertize compose in 30 days.  I get one or two batches per year.  I also have a hoop of hardware cloth with yard waste and large garden items (stalks etc.).  Sometimes I move media from the wire cage to the tumbler.  The cage will make a batch per year by itself.

I have learned not to put bell pepper seeds, tomato seeds, and squash seeds in the tumbler.  They all sprout somewhere the following year, and never where you want them.  I think the bell pepper seeds are the most fertile.

[keith44]

I have learned not to put bell pepper seeds, tomato seeds, and squash seeds in the tumbler.  They all sprout somewhere the following year, and never where you want them.  I think the bell pepper seeds are the most fertile.

The compost pile has to get hot enough to kill the seeds or you will end up with grass peppers (many varieties) cherry tomatoes, and even radish and potato plants where you least expect or want them.

Don't ask

[reliquary]

The compost tumbler I was given is by ACHLA.  No idea what the letters stand for.  After two months with no action, I added a handful of septic tank starter to it and now, 3 1/2 months total, it is beginning to smell & look like compost. 

I can't recommend this type of tumbler.  Haven't used any others.  Besides, with the amount of organic material I have to work with, a wire enclosure is going to be the way to go.

Tomato and pepper plants came up at the end of my septic tank field line at my last houseplace.

[charles p]

Did those volunteer tomatoes have a familar taste?

[keith44]

 

mine were too late coming up to bear, but the peppers were pretty good.

[reliquary]

Well, hybrid tomato seeds rarely come back "true" anyway.   =)

I've been in several places where they fertilize their crops with human waste and the food tasted about the same. Couldn't get the wife and kids to eat any of my septic-tank specials, though.