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Soil, Compost & Mulch

Starting over~New house, new pile...

victorian_bellefonte

17 years ago

Hello,

I have been sitting here shredding about 5 months of paper, getting ready to build a compost pile. We just moved from PA to WV in August, leaving behind a luscious compost pile with strict instructions for the buyers to keep it going, and a promise from the neighbors to keep an eye on the pile and the new neighbors. If only I could have brought it with me!

It took re-reading the "You may be a Compost Wacko" post to get me going...but I'm feeling up to it now!

So I am starting fresh. Fortunately, we acquired three poop-making machines (horses) after moving, and I have begun to build up a nice pile of just manure. I have been putting all my compostables into two aerated plastic garbage cans for now, since I don't have a real bin built.

Is this a good time to start the compost pile, or should I just wait for spring? I don't know if I can get anything decomposting when it is 32 degrees...

Also, has anyone tried to compost Bounty paper towels and Puffs Plus tissues? I haven't before, but I thought I'd try unless someone had determined that the have a synthetic fiber.

Thanks,

Elizabeth

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Comments (2)

jeannie7
17 years ago
Considering you haven't stopped making all that one can put into a compost pile...you still eat I take it....then a couple 5 gallon (or larger) containers put near the back door--with a lid---and some soil brought in for the explicit purpose of topping---can be used between now and when you build your compost.

Mind you, you don't have to have a bin....a pile on the bare ground can work...it just makes it handier to have a bin....no...two bins...no.....three bins so that the good can be separated from the bad.

It don't do much composting at the low temperatures....but better there than being thrown out and when the temps do recover, the pile will be ready to resume working.
jannoel_gw
17 years ago
I agree with jeannie7. Start a pile on the ground where you want your bin(s), then build the bin around it when the weather is more conducive. This winter has been so mild for me (Illinois, zone5) that my piles continue to shrink like it was still fall.
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