I'm ready to start!!

16 years ago

I have my compost bin ready for use. I don't have a lot of stuff to fill it with, but that's okay I guess. I'll just keep adding.

I read to put twigs or sticks on the bottom for better air exchange because it won't get packed down. Okay, I have some.

Then, I'll add the browns and greens. Can they be mixed together when added or seperate layers? I don't have leaves, so will use shredded newspaper and some shredded white office paper.

What about fertilizer and dirt? On another thread there was a link that said to add this. I don't find it on many other sources.

Then add a bit of water. Then just leave it. When to turn it? I have read a range of daily to every 3-5 weeks. So am a little confused on that.

It is warm here in Texas, 80's. Heat should help I would think.

I will be starting this tomorrow and am really excited!!

Thanks for putting up with all my questions and giving me answers!!

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Comments (3)

digdirt2
16 years ago
Good! I think all of your questions have already been answered but you honestly don't need to worry about any of them. There is no single, one, perfect way to do this. So quit trying to perfect the process and quit trying to anticipate every possible situation. You'll will simply drive yourself crazy and burn yourself out on composting.

Mix or don't mix, turn whenever you want to and as often or as little as you wish, layer or don't layer, add dirt or don't, add fertilizer or don't (though it isn't a standard additive to a compost pile), moisten it a bit but not too wet, and believe it or not - you'll get compost. It really is that simple.;)

Dave
billhill
16 years ago
Layer, mix, water, layer, mix water, layer mix, water. Thats the way I do it. Leave the soil and fertilizer out. There is no need for it. As Dave suggested, there is no need to complicate the process. Turn in three to five weeks is good for turning. Or just turn it when it cools off significantly. Outside air temperature is not much of a factor above freezing in terms of microbial activity but hot temps dry your pile and you may need to water it once or twice a week. Just dig in a little and see if it feels like the often mentioned "wrung out sponge". If you would like to see my bins, look at" My Page" Good luck with your composting. Bill Hill
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tclynx
16 years ago
Agreed, don't get too hung up on trying to make perfect compost.

Compost, luckily, will happen eventually no matter what you do. All the advice for making compost, is usually ways you could speed up the process but the truth is, the best compost is allowed to take a long time. Most important ingredient, patients.

My compost is pretty easy. We throw stuff in the bin and add dry leaves over it. If we have a bucket of especially stinky stuff, we dig a bit of a hole in the top of the compost pile and dump the bucket in, then cover with more dry leaves and stuff. When we get a bag of some one else's grass clippings, we dump it on and cover with more leaves. If the bin seems stinky, cover with more leaves. If it seems to be cooling off, add more yucky stuff or water it if it seems really dry when ya dig into it. Once the bin is really full. Leave it alone for a year, or until the next bin is full and I need to empty the first one to have a bin to keep filling.

That is about it. No turning, no special layering, no purchased stuff, no fertilizer other than "waste", no stress, just wonderful rotting stuff!

Here is a link that might be useful: My compost page

I'm ready to start!!

Comments (3)

digdirt2

billhill

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tclynx

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