composting

[kellybethx3]

Can I compost without getting a composting bin??

[Revvell]

..... yes.....

[michigan roman]

- straws my favorite add to compost pile

- you just make layers of different plant stuffs like grass clippings , leaves , straw , dirt , any dead plant leaves but not weeds as they can take root in compost , wood ashes , bark that comes off logs in firewood piles , etc

- you need a pitch fork as its easier to turn the compost pile over with then shovel , way easier . and turning the pile over helps it decompose quicker

- ide go to www.motherearthnews.com and search the topic for good info

[DebB]

Thanks michigan roman for that info. I was weeding our garden beds today and tossed the pulled weeds in the compost. I'm going to pick them out - I don't want them taking hold in there! *Ü*

[kellybethx3]

Thankks! But is there a way i can do it ahead of time to use when i start a garden i haven't yet but im planning to!

[michigan roman]

what ide do to make ' instant compost ' would be take grass clippings , then put a bunch of dryish / dead leaves from last fall on ground and repeatedly run them over with lawn mpwer to grind them up . then ide do same thing with straw . mix the 3 things together then youve a material you can spread around plants to enrich soil + prevent weed growth + hold moisture in ground

[kellybethx3]

Okay thanks!

[RawBogan]

One of our simple(long term) composting methods is to just dig a whole in the garden patch(about 1 and a half feet deep) empty the kitchen waste bin in there as is and cover it. Next time dig next to it. So on and so forth. In a few months turn the soil. And again later.

[Revvell]

One of our simple(long term) composting methods is to just dig a whole in the garden patch(about 1 and a half feet deep) empty the kitchen waste bin in there as is and cover it. Next time dig next to it. So on and so forth. In a few months turn the soil. And again later.

I like this idea!!

[michigan roman]

ps- leaves dont really need to be dry , i was just thinking about your lawn mower and not wanting you possibly beating it by running into a dense pile of wet leaves . you can use wet leaves just dont bog the mower down in them by piling them too high . can also add wood ash to this mixture , mix it all up with a pitch fork

[fastfreedom]

..... yes.....

Dangit. I saw the op and that's what I wanted to say. LOL



Also you could look into lasagna gardening. I think it's just basically layering your kitchen scraps and weeds and whatever else you would normally compost directly on top of your garden soil. I haven't looked into it, but I was talking with someone and they were explaining that's what they do.

[levamssg]

I have a compost pile that I layer like this ... it works if you are patient because it takes a long time (a couple seasons) to cook and produce usable compost ... but it is the easiest way to compost.

I also have two 'tumbler' composters that produce beautiful compost ... I fill them continuously during the summer and turn them, then let them set over the winter, and have a couple wheelbarrows full of beautiful compost in time for springtime - getting beds ready, etc.

This year I'm going to try my hand at turning compost frequently to see how fast I can produce useable compost. Supposedly, if you turn it every day, you should have useable compost in two to three weeks .... hmmmm. We'll see. The trick will be remembering to get out there every day to turn it ....

[michigan roman]

if you could take a pitch fork , long tine kind for straw , and bend the tines
90 degrees so it worked like a very long toothed bow rake itd make turning compost over way easier as it would be easier to rake / drag the compost pile off its spot then rake it back in different order to mix pile up as raking / puling motion way less work then pitching / hefting fork motion

in summer i also at times put tarp over pile to raise up its heat to help break down quicker

[levamssg]

Good idea Michigan Roman ... I will look into that. I have a regular compost pitchfork, but like the idea of the curved tines.

Right now, the plan is this. (the plan, by the way, is always being tweaked and revised as needed ... :) )

1. transport the existing 'main' pile to the 'turning area'. That way, I will restart a 'main' pile, while I'm working in the other area.

2. I am creating adjacent 'turning areas' ... so will put the pile back and forth here until it is compost ...

3. Move the finished compost to the holding pile to be distributed as needed.

These piles are strategically placed in the yard ... the main building pile isn't that far from the kitchen back door, so I have easy access to add scraps. I've placed several bags of shredded leaves adjacent to it to use as layering in this holding 'main' pile. It is surrounded by simple mesh fencing material with plastic stakes.

The two part turning area is just behind the house. It will only get 1/2 day of sun, so am not sure about that. I haven't decided on how to mark the area -- will most likely use up some concrete blocks I have for now. This area is much closer to the raised bed garden area I am in the process of putting. (I have built 60' of raised beds, 2' wide, along a property line fence -- and only have 5 left to fill with my soil mixture).

The 'finished pile' will be at the end of the 60' bed area in a more shaded area in the corner of the yard -- so it will be readily available for top dressing the raised beds.

It will be fun seeing how this works out. I'm really looking forward to warmer weather so I can finish filling the beds and get to the composting moving. We have snow forecast this weekend and into early next week ... after that I am hoping will be a good start time.

[Emiliana]

The great thing about organic stuff is that you can't STOP it from composting--it's all just a question of how fast it breaks down.

I've read that you shouldn't put uncomposted matter (kitchen scraps, etc.) directly in your garden plot soil because composting itself uses up soil nutrients that you want feeding your veggies. Compost first, enrich soil second.

But I read all kinds of stuff so who knows.