Buried Compost

I would like to hear from anyone who buries the compost ingredients.

I'm new to SFG, newly retired and live in Zone 9a, the Central Valley in California. December 2012, I started a compost bin, just to see if I could do it. I had experimented with outdoor dehydrating fruits and veggies during summer of 2012, and was ready to test other aspects of self sufficiency. I had my husband build my creation, a rolling bin, with 1/4 mesh near the bottom, and a hatch door at the bottom so I could scoop out my "Black Gold!" as it sifted through the screen.







I used Chinese Pistachio leaves because they are small, lawn clippings and added kitchen trimmings and crushed egg shells as they were produced. I rolled the bin, clawed the mixture, watered and placed the bin in the sun as some nights get below freezing. By February, 2013, I could still identify the veggies! But the killer was that I was breeding white flies like crazy, after spending months trying to kill them on my gardenias. [I had to remove all but one gardenia in the back yard.] I threw the mess away.

I live in an urban development with 6,000 sq ft lots. I have to be a good neighbor as far as smells are concerned.

2-19-13


4-27-13


My plan is to bury my veggie/fruit wastes, along with small leaves, in small burial pits around the back yard and flag the spots. Some will be in shade, others in full sun. Surface / air temps get over 100 for 1-3 weeks each summer. Any advice? Add some Kellogg's to the pit? Stick a pvc pipe down to the mess [capping with cotton cloth against the flying insects]? Thank you.

Check out the book, The complete compost gardening guide, by pleasant and martin they discuss what you are looking for with several options they call layered craters, pits of plenty, treasure troughs, honey holes.

I agree with llama momma on the book recommendation. I purchased it in the Kindle edition from Amazon a few months ago and have found it to be extremely helpful.

A warning though.... composting can be extremely habit forming.

Dear bnoles and llama momma, Thank you for replying. I just ordered a used copy through Amazon - expedited shipping!! Any and all help is appreciated. Sig

Glad to help out. Think you will love this book!

Dear llama momma and bnoles,

Just received my compost book and it looks like it will help tremendously. The book was delivered to someone else and they finally walked it over to me tonight. Thank you for your advice. s anderson

Terrific! I'd love to hear about your progress.