Compost

[CrunchyKat]

Ok, I've been wanting to start a compost pile for awhile. BUT, I have no idea how to start one. I've seen some for sale, but they are ridiculously expensive. Is there a way to make a homemade one? Does it require lots of time or skill? (Neither or which I have, ) I just realize how much stuff we throw away that could be put into a compost pile. And if I do start one, what exactly do you put in it besides food scraps? :

[mommyof3andcountin]

I've been gleaning from the country living threads, and it seems just don't put anything dairy/meat in there and cover well with leaves, straw, sawdust or something. I've got a watermelon's worth of rinds and a few corn husks in my pile so far, and no flies yet!! (And I'm in FL, where flies are plenty.)

[eightyferrettoes]

Mine is literally just a pile in the back corner... I'd like a nicer-looking setup, but money doesn't grow on trees, I guess.

I've got leaves from last year, coffee grounds, watermelon rinds, orange peels, some eggshells (apparently some people are against eggshells, but others seem to think it's good) celery trimmings, etc.

Also wood ashes from the firepit and grass clippings. And old dried-out raspberry canes.

I don't really know much about it, but so far, it doesn't smell at all.

[Chicky2]

We have a big ole pile outside our garden fencing. We don't put food scraps in it, because all those go to the chickens and guineas, but we use LOTS of chicken poo, guinea poo, goat poo (we rake my mom's goat barns for 'goat gold'), and horse poo. Along w/that goes the bedding of straw, pine shavings, etc....Believe it or not, no odor! And that's alot of poo! If I have my way, soon we'll have rabbit poo to put in there, too, lol.

[beebalmmama]

You can't really mess up compost, as long as you don't put meat, dairy, diseased plants, dog/cat feces. Whether to do hot or cold composting is when you need to decide how much work or specifics into it. Cold composting will happen over the year and eventually you will get compost. This type of compost will not kill weed seed or rhizomes and so if your trying to remove weeds I would have a separate weed pile, at least for weeds like quack grass, and thistle which are pretty invasive and tough to remove. Hot composting is more particular but you'll get workable compost within a few months or less. Hot composting needs moisture, aeration, which will increase the heat as the matter breaks down. Your pile needs to be about a min of 3X3 ft to hold in enough heat. Most of the manufactured compost containers are not large enough to do hot composting. It is very important when hot composting to have the right amount of green stuff vs brown stuff, or you could get some smelly compost or compost which is really cold and will break down but will take longer. The Rodale Book of Composting is a great guide and has been around for a while. Also check your area to see if there is a Master Composter program anywere near you, they usually have really good info. But remember you really can't mess it up, it just depends on whether you want a lot of usable compost or your just wanting to break down garden and kitchen scraps.

[beebalmmama]

Originally Posted by CrunchyKat

Ok, I've been wanting to start a compost pile for awhile. BUT, I have no idea how to start one. I've seen some for sale, but they are ridiculously expensive. Is there a way to make a homemade one? Does it require lots of time or skill? (Neither or which I have, ) I just realize how much stuff we throw away that could be put into a compost pile. And if I do start one, what exactly do you put in it besides food scraps? :

You don't need to spend a lot of money on composting. You could use an old trash can and punch holes for air. We just built one out of pallets that we confiscated from a nearby home center. We have another which is built from 4" fencing and brought around into a circle and latched with an eye hook to hold it closed. I know of a local mater composter website that has really great photos and instructions on building several types of composting systoms, I'l try to find it.
[url]http://whatcom.wsu.edu/ag/compost/compost_bins_methods.htm[url]
Sorry my computer is acting up and won't allow me to connect the link.

[BabyBumblebee]

I second the pp's - you really don't need to spend lots of $$ on a commercial compost bin: they're really easy to put together from old pallets, 'cos you just need 3 fairly open sides - it's nice to be able to turn it easily. Or a pile in an out of the way corner works well too, if you'd just like to get started

As for what goes on it: 'green' waste (some grass clipping, but most I use to mulch), fruit and vege leftovers, tea bags/leaves,autumn leaves, coffee grounds, crushed eggshells...basically, if it's *not* animal products (like bones, fat etc), and it's organic it goes on there!!

Check your library for some books: I know there are all kinds of ratios for green/brown if you want to get really scientific! I don't have the patience - I just know that if it's getting slimy and smelling funky (not the typical compost smell) that I've got too much green on there!

Also bear in mind that the pile will get nice and warm, and you may well find that you get visitors to it: we seem to be very popular with garter snakes

[Chicky2]

LOL, considering the poo in ours, it gets visited by the neighbors dogs. Ewwww! They complain about their dogs rolling in the horse poo (WHY do they like it so so much? Mine do too), but they don't complain about the veggies we give 'em!

[mattemma04]

<<<They complain about their dogs rolling in the horse poo (WHY do they like it so so much? Mine do too), >>>>

My dog does this with bird poop.No idea why. Hate having to bathe him,but glad he does not eat poop.

[SAHMinHawaii]

Originally Posted by Chicky2

LOL, considering the poo in ours, it gets visited by the neighbors dogs. Ewwww! They complain about their dogs rolling in the horse poo (WHY do they like it so so much? Mine do too), but they don't complain about the veggies we give 'em!

[mamanurse]

We got our compost bin from Metro here in Portland for $35. For a long time, we had just piled everything up, but then the dogger kept getting into it. We like the can. You could probably also make your own by cutting the bottom off a trash can and slitting holes in the sides near the top. Or you might be able to find one on Craig's list.

[SAHMinHawaii]

My dh is at work right now and i just sent him an email about composting. He said we could definitely do that! I am so excited he is on board. I am going to pick up some free pallets tonight. He has been so helpful with my garden and he is really into it which i am suprised. This is going to be great. I hate throwing away what i could reuse.

[TVChick]

Okay, I really want to do this, but I need some clarification.

We live in a sub-division and, although there is a fairly lush drainage area behind our house, we don't have a lot of space for a compost set-up. Would the trash can method be my best bet? And if so, how many holes do I punch in the can? And do I keep the top on in general?

Also, does anyone know about the trash bag method? I read somewhere that you could just use a big black trash bag. It sounds a little questionable to me, but I won't have a big operation, so if it works, maybe that would be the easiest?

Help! :

[Owen'nZoe]

Would the trash can method be my best bet? And if so, how many holes do I punch in the can? And do I keep the top on in general?

I just made one this weekend. Can't tell you how well it works yet, but I am optimistic about it. I'm in a subdivision, too, and have a pretty small yard, so I couldn't really set up an open bin or pile. I drilled holes about every 4-6 inches on the bottom of the bin, and then three rows of holes (again, about 4 inches apart) around the sides of the bin. I do keep the top on. HTH!