Can I use this for a new compost pile?

15 years ago

I've read pages and pages of information on composting, and I feel more and more confused with everything I read. So forgive me if these questions are redundant, I would simply prefer an accurate answer to my specific situation rather than guessing.

We have an 5'x8' trailer full of hay, corn stalks, and now some dug up grass, sitting on our property. The hay has been there since last October. Our neighbor's hay caught on fire and what we have is just the last trailer full that didn't get hauled off. It is wet but not burnt. The burnt stuff was hauled off. Guess cows don't like wet hay? The stalks are from our garden last year, they sat on the ground all winter and just recently were moved to the trailer. The grass is from the yard, we dug up an 8' circle to plant strawberries, so there is a lot of dirt clinging to it. It's clumps, basically.

We also have leaves from our tree still scattered all over the back of the house, up against the foundation. There is probably enough to fill 2 or 3 large yard bags. We just never got around to cleaning them up. I don't have any idea what the tree is unfortunately. I'm going to see if I can identify it, I know that would be helpful to know. It was there when we bought the house. I hate the thing, scatters it's flaky seeds EVERYWHERE in springtime. I'm sure there's some of those buried under the leaves as well.

I have zero budget to build any type of bin this year, but I have plenty of spots in my yard, most of which is currently just bare ground, where I can pile any or all of these things and create a compost area without needing to contain it. Plus I'd much prefer to use all of this rather than hauling it off to the green waste.

So here are my questions:

1. Given what I have sitting around my yard, can I effectively create a compost pile? We do have some yard, so eventually I'll have grass clippings to add to it, but that will be a few months away still. And of course kitchen scraps and a newspaper once a week :) I just don't have large amounts of any other material to add to the very large amounts of hay.

2. The hay has been sitting all winter, as I mentioned, so it is wet and I suppose already decomposing some. I'm worried about mold growing in it, hubby said it looks like there is mold down inside it. We used some from the top of the pile to partially fill our raised boxes. They are 18" deep so we put a 6" layer of hay in before we put the dirt in.

3. Do the corn stalks have to be broken down smaller or can we throw them in as they are. I don't have access to a chipper or anything like that, plus they are wet as well, been sitting all winter and it's been snowing on and off this week.

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Comments (7)

phawx
Original Author
15 years ago
Quick update: It's an Elm tree, I've decided. Couldn't even begin to tell ya which type, but it's definitely an Elm.

Oh, and someone just posted a msg on freecycle for horse manure. Is that something that can go in compost or does it have to age first? I can look that up, but if any one knows right off hand, feel free to chime in with your opinion.
bogydave
15 years ago
Got Mold!!!! you are getting garden gold.
It's already composting.
If you can mix it & especially if you can mix fresh HM in it it will be great compost.
Don't make making compost get overwhelming. As it is, it will become compost. You can speed up the process by mixing & fluffing to get air for the "bugs", bacteria, worms etc. so they can multiply quicker. Adding the HM will feed the microbes, worm etc. & make a richer compost. Fresh HM will help it heat up, specially if it has the urine (nitrogen source) mixed with it. Grass clipping will need mixed in but also help heat it up. Try to keep it DAMP, not wet. Mix it every 2 weeks or so, in 6 weeks it should be usable in a garden. More browns, like old leaves, straw, cardboard etc & you'd have the perfect mix but not necessary for it to break down.
What you have already will be compost, faster if mixed add the HM if you can. Mother Nature will make it compost even if yo do nothing, fun to help her though. Mix & keep Damp, not wet is key.
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farmersteve
15 years ago
I would pile what you have on the ground somewhere out of the way (but somewhat near where you will use it). I would use some hand pruners to cut the corn stalks down a bit (the smaller you make them the quicker they will break down, but even if you just cut them in half or thirds it will allow the bacteria a quicker way in to break them down). Adding the horse manure would be great as Dave said. You can turn it, as he said, or leave it. If you turn it and add more nitrogen sources (the lawn clippings, horse manure, whatever), it will break down quicker. If you just leave it and don't do anything, it will still break down.

The beauty of making compost is it suits everyone. If you're industrious, you can get finished product quickly. If you're lazy you can still get it, it just take longer. Do with it what you want, but (IMO) don't pay to have it hauled away. It will be useful eventually.

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annpat
15 years ago
You've got great stuff. Mold is not a problem in a compost pile. When people say to "mix" your compost, you can just fork your pile over into a new pile and call it good. You sound like you're off to a really great start and have a pretty good grasp of things. Your filling the excess space in the bottom of your beds with the hay was a good idea. I often use rough compost in pots or beds for filler.
phawx
Original Author
15 years ago
Thank you all for your opinions/advice. It has certainly set my mind at ease. I believe I have convinced my hubby to empty the contents of the trailer here on our land rather than hauling it away. Just have to wait for the snow to go away. Got another 2" this morning! Gotta love springtime in Utah :)
billinpa
15 years ago
Run the corn stalkers over with the mower then rake them up and add. I have ornamental grasses that I cut down every fall. Along with the sweet sorn stalks from the garden. A few passes with the mower. Rake them up and into the pile. Sometimes straight into the garden as mulch. It will do its thing just takes a little longer to get done.
gumby_ct
15 years ago
Everything you have will compost. If you have any wire fence to make a ring, I would do that just so the wind doesn't blow the leaves and other small items away.

Hot composting is faster but all will break down even if you do nothing but pile it on the ground. If you need compost this year, go to the store, this stuff likely won't be ready until next year.

Can I use this for a new compost pile?

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phawx
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bogydave

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Can I use this for a new compost pile?

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phawxOriginal Author

bogydave

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phawxOriginal Author

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phawx
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phawx
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