Adding Sulfur to hot compost pile
kokopellifivea
6 years ago
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trickyputt
6 years agoRelated Discussions
Should I stop adding to my compost pile?
Comments (5)My pile gets hot occasionally. But for the most part, I have a cold compost system. Does anyone ever have enough compost? ;-) My garden plot is probably smaller than most, its just 10 x 10. I intentionally keep it small because I don't have a lot time or sunshine (shady lot). It took a long time to get a good first batch (cold composting is slow), but now that I have a continuous operation, I get at least two or three wheelbarrows full, twice each year. I do have a screen that sets on top the wheelbarrow when I am shoveling out finished stuff, to help screen out unfinished stuff. My bin is 4' x 4' x 4'. I bought two 8' prefab fence panels from Menards and cut them in half and then hinged them together. I stapled chicken wire to the inside. The entire thing will fold flat, if I want to move it. The hinges allow me to open one or two sides. Here are a couple pics:...See MoreCompost pile never made compost
Comments (18)lilacs of may - I agree w/the "need more greens" opinions above (which is not to say that I disagree w/the "need more water" opinions - I just don't have an opinion about the water thing b/c my bin is in a container & I tend to have too much moisture more often than not). The way you described it - 1 thin green, 1 thick brown of mostly leaves - seems like it would take a real long time to decompose. I've noticed leaves in my bin take a long time, which I didn't expect. But, my bin takes a short time to decompose when I've used mostly garden/kitchen waste, intense greens (such as UCG/dried blood/alfalfa), and some browns such as (leaves/paper towels/napkins/shredded moistened cardboard) - IF I turn it ALOT (again it's in a bin so this might not be as crucial to your formula). Plus, I also find that we each have a preferred "formula" for our individual systems, lifestyles & area of the country. I've added below a link to my list of 201 Compost Ingredients, if you want to brainstorm about more "greens." BTW, we just got our first Starbucks (10 min away) - prior to that the nearest starbucks was 1 hour away & that was just in a bookstore. I am already collecting from a local coffee shop (actually, they were new about 2 yrs ago - pre-local-Starbucks - and I told them about Starbucks' habit of bagging & offering UCG for peoples' gardens & so now they're doing it! yippee!). And, actually, most of the UCG I gather go directly onto soil (under the store-bought pine/other bark/shredded mulch) or onto the grass. So, do it again this year & keep experimenting to see what works! polly in IL - that is BEAUTIFUL! Thanks for the pix! All the Best, Tree Here is a link that might be useful: 201 Compost ingredients...See MoreAdding to Compost Pile
Comments (5)It's your baby Rob, you can manage it however you want! Even if your bin is full, it will shrink a whole lot. You might be shocked at how little material is actually left when it's finished composting. For this reason I add to it for a while, putting it through a hot cycle each time. Then, I'll allow that batch to sit and finish for a couple of months and work on a new batch. At some point, though, you do have to stop adding to the first batch or it will never quite finish. For this reason it can be helpful to have several piles at a time. Everyone does their own thing, though. Over time, you'll find what works best for you. Congratulations on taking the plunge into composting, and welcome to the forum. Karen...See MoreAdding alfalfa tea to the compost pile?
Comments (3)Gbig2, Usually alfalfa is used in the compost pile as an emergency addition during the winter months when there is a shortage of greens to be had. From what you have stated you are having a shortage of browns (carbon), not greens (nitrogen). With the proper balance of both there is no need to add anything to the pile except moisture or air. IMO, the alfalfa would be better used on plants, not the compost pile. Contrary to popular opinion, paper is a poor substitute for leaves in the pile IMO. Paper has no nutritional value for plants, however as a weed suppressor they have great value, again IMO. I am not saying to not add paper to the pile, what I am saying is that I donÂt add paper to any of my piles. I put forth great effort in the fall and winter to collect all the leaves I can get my hands on when they are in abundance. I have great empathy for those who live in areas where leaves are hard to come by, yet the extra effort to acquire a "leaf load" is well worth the effort when the time to spread compost comes around. Alfalfa, in any form will make the smoke come out of a compost pile, no doubt about that. However, the use of alfalfa tea or pellets/meal directly in the garden is of greater benefit IMO. The patience needed to create good quality compost cannot be circumvented with super hot additives or quick fix alternatives. The proper mixture of materials, adequate moisture, air, and time will forever get the composting job done. Again, IMO the reward for taking the long road outweighs all those so-called "shortcuts". There is no "right or wrong" way to make compost, just the way we make compost. In the end, the best way to make compost is the way that makes you happy with the results Blutranes...See Morekimmq
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6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoEkor Tupai
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