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Soil, Compost & Mulch

Do you grow your greens IN your C-Pile?

16 years ago

Today is stupid-question day for those of you that may be stalking me on the forums- LOL!

If you need greens in your pile, do you go to the extent of either a) seeding your pile with some cheap or free seed that you've got lying around or b) letting it 'grow' (weeds) for a few weeks, then turning in the growth?

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Comments (11)

herboil
16 years ago
Free greens?

I just recently discovered coffee grounds were GREEN.
If this is incorrect please let me know.
These are easy. So is urine, just go piss on the pile( I've heard it heats up quick).
Need greens? Just go outside. And look around.
mmqchdygg
Original Author
16 years ago
Well, maybe the world is your urinal to a guy, but such is not the case for a discreet female. Will find other means for that. But thanks for the tip. Hehe. Maybe the world will have to start re-manufacturing the chamber-pot.

I usually get mine from the produce section, and a few leavings from my garden, coffee grounds from starbucks, etc...

was posing the question for those who may not have access to bulk amounts of greens (no coffee store, produce section already HAS a person who comes to pick up stuff and therefore there is none for them to take...) that sort of thing.
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eggle
16 years ago
one could always ask a local lawn service for the grass trimings. They could end up with quite a lot after one day.
nygardener
16 years ago
I don't see much point to growing compostable greens in the compost pile, since they'll take their substance from finished compost that is essentially 100% organic matter. Better to grow and harvest a cover crop in soil to produce greens that can be turned into compost or turned back into the garden bed to improve its organic content (and, if you include legumes, enrich its fertility as well).
val_s
16 years ago
was posing the question for those who may not have access to bulk amounts of greens

I for one find your question to be really smart not stupid at all. I'm one of those people who can't find enough greens. Leaves I can get by the tons if I want but "greens" - that's another story.

I've only gone to Starbucks a couple of times and they either don't have any or once they gave me a small bag. Besides gas here is $3.45 today and rising so I won't be making any trips anywhere unless absolutely necessary. I did get my husband to talk to his union hall (where they drink a lot of coffee) and they are going to start saving the grounds for me - YAY!

But yeah - greens are a problem. I never thought about growing say, like left over bean or pea seed actually in the pile and then turning it in after they've gotten so big. It would be interesting to see if anyone has tried this and was it successful.

Val
jannoel_gw
16 years ago
I don't do it on purpose, but there is always something germinating out there - mostly volunteer tomato plants from last year's debris.
green_jen
16 years ago
We have loads and loads of green kitchen waste from our family of 3 which is more than enough for my greens. If its a plant, then it goes into the pile.
tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
16 years ago
I wonder what percentage of the population is within 10 miles of a horse stable? Val, I know you must be close to several in central Illinois. When I need green, that's where I go. If I need it real green, I go to the newer end of their pile, if I need some browns with it, I'll go to the older end of the pile.

tj
val_s
16 years ago
Hi TJ -

You're right of course, I am probably 10 to 15 miles from some sort of horse or cow barn. I guess I'm a little shy to just go up and ask "Can I have some poo?". It took me a year to go to Starbucks.

Also, we are trying to cut back any fuel usuage that isn't absolutely, positively necessary. Single income, raising granddaughter....yada...yada.

I just thought the original question was really inventive and wondered if this had worked for other people. Throwing down seed in compost pile, letting grow, turning in. Worth exploring or waste of time? I get curious about the weirdest things :-)

Val
mommyandme
16 years ago
It doesn't have to be in your compost pile. You can grow greens in any currently empty garden space. For example, When your spring lettuce bolts, replace it with collards or kale. If you don't eat them, compost them, but don't let an inch of garden soil sit empty. Last year, I got a 1 lb sack of kidney beans at the grocery store & grew some of them in empty spots & then composted them. Don't overlook empty spots in you flower beds either. Grow "something" in every empty spot.
val_s
16 years ago
Grow "something" in every empty spot.

Now that's a good idea. I'm pretty full up this year so far. Lettuce and such are in pots but I way over did on tomato plants this year. I'm going to write this down in my garden journal for next year. Thanks for the tip, m and m.

Val

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