Search
Latest topics
» Spinning Compost Bin-need some ideasby sanderson Today at 2:09 am
» Old Mulch and Closing Beds for Winter
by Scorpio Rising Yesterday at 8:23 pm
» Happy Birthday!!
by Scorpio Rising Yesterday at 8:20 pm
» N & C Midwest: September 2024
by OhioGardener 9/10/2024, 5:47 pm
» Pest Damage
by WBIowa 9/8/2024, 2:48 pm
» cabbage moth?
by jemm 9/8/2024, 9:15 am
» Ohio Gardener's Greenhouse
by OhioGardener 9/5/2024, 6:37 pm
» What are you eating from your garden today?
by OhioGardener 9/5/2024, 2:01 pm
» adding compost yearly
by sanderson 9/5/2024, 2:16 am
» What Have You Picked From Your Garden Today
by OhioGardener 9/2/2024, 3:10 pm
» N & C Midwest: August 2024
by OhioGardener 8/31/2024, 8:13 pm
» Article - Create a Seed Library to Share the Extras
by OhioGardener 8/26/2024, 4:09 pm
» Best Tasting Parthenocarpic Cucumber?
by SMEDLEY BUTLER 8/21/2024, 7:07 pm
» Winter Squash Arch
by SMEDLEY BUTLER 8/21/2024, 8:02 am
» Master Gardeners: Growing Your Own Blueberries
by OhioGardener 8/19/2024, 10:09 am
» Looking for a local source for transplants.... Sarasota, FL
by sanderson 8/19/2024, 3:26 am
» Hi, y'all. I'm new to everything in Sarasota, FL
by sanderson 8/19/2024, 3:21 am
» Starbucks for coffee grounds!
by OhioGardener 8/14/2024, 5:47 pm
» Hi from N. Georgia
by AtlantaMarie 8/13/2024, 8:57 am
» Hello from Atlanta, Georgia
by sanderson 8/13/2024, 3:09 am
» growing tomatoes from seed outside
by sanderson 8/13/2024, 3:05 am
» 15-Minute Garlic Sautéed Eggplant
by Scorpio Rising 8/12/2024, 7:25 pm
» Downsizing Gardens for the Autumn of our lives
by Hollysmac 8/6/2024, 10:37 pm
» Golden Beets
by Scorpio Rising 8/6/2024, 7:03 pm
» Hi all!
by sanderson 8/6/2024, 12:56 am
» DIY Tomato Trellis for Birdie's Tall Raised beds
by sanderson 8/6/2024, 12:48 am
» Got zucchini? Toot your own horn!
by OhioGardener 8/5/2024, 9:17 am
» Compost not hot
by Aintyergrandpaschickenpoo 8/5/2024, 8:29 am
» N&C Midwest—July 2024
by nrstooge 8/1/2024, 6:57 am
» Zucchini Cobbler
by sanderson 7/25/2024, 11:38 pm
Google
Compost starter, or something else
+2
boffer
arla
6 posters
Page 1 of 1
Compost starter, or something else
I think my bin is lacking in nitrogen, doesn't seem to be heating up much despite my constant "mixing" (is turning really mixing, or am I just doing it flat out wrong?) the temp in my pile seems to be a fairly constant 65, occasionally 70 but not much higher. The main composition, lets see, I've put in a lot of leaves recently (somewhat shredded through my blower/shredder), 4 tomato plants, 2 cucumber plants, and kitchen scraps (all the remains of my wifes juicing, other assorted scraps as we get them).
Just wondering what else I need to do to make this pile work, it's approx 3ftx 3ftx 3ft now, so should be big enough from what I read, but just doesn't seem to warm up.
Just wondering what else I need to do to make this pile work, it's approx 3ftx 3ftx 3ft now, so should be big enough from what I read, but just doesn't seem to warm up.
arla- Posts : 109
Join date : 2011-09-09
Location : El Cerrito, CA
Re: Compost starter, or something else
Are the contents moist? If so, you could help things along by adding some nitrogen with fresh cut grass if available, blood meal, alfalfa pellets, manure, or even compost.
Re: Compost starter, or something else
It is somewhat moist, it's open to the air and it's the rainy season here in CA so it is getting "watered" every few days or so, not sure grass clippings have been helping much, my grass just isn't long enough, so I guess buying something is the way to go. How do I figure how much to add? I'm seeing boxes of bloodmeal and thinking do I just buy and add the entire lot, or figure some measurement, problem with most of these things is it says "add X per y LB's of compostables" and I've got no clue how many lb's of compostables I have.
arla- Posts : 109
Join date : 2011-09-09
Location : El Cerrito, CA
Re: Compost starter, or something else
arla...trying sprinkling your pile down until it's pretty moist. We have been doing that and WOW has it gotten HOT! Easily 140 degrees. We just added more dead leaves, so we'll spray it down again, and I'll bet it's cookin' in a couple of days again. I always thought dryer was better, and moisture would cool it off, but it actually makes it hotter!! Give it a try...
southern gardener- Posts : 1883
Join date : 2011-06-21
Age : 44
Location : california, zone 10a
Re: Compost starter, or something else
All the advice given will help no end. For me, straight up Rabbit manure (complete with pee / limited hay for extra nitrogen) heats that pile up quicker than anything I've ever used!!!!
staf74- Posts : 544
Join date : 2010-11-24
Age : 49
Location : York, SC
Re: Compost starter, or something else
Well, it's hard to decide what you need. If you have plenty of brown stuff, leaves, etc, then you probably need nitrogen, any manure, blood meal, or just plain ole dog food. The dog food is high in nitrogen and probably cheaper than blood meal. Just sprinkle on as you put the pile back together. Be sure to wet it down good. I would cover the pile with a tarp to keep in the heat and keep the pile from getting too wet.
http://www.compost-info-guide.com/building_pile.htm
http://www.compost-info-guide.com/building_pile.htm
littlejo- Posts : 1573
Join date : 2011-05-04
Age : 70
Location : Cottageville SC 8b
Re: Compost starter, or something else
I tend to agree with the others. Sounds like you might need more green stuff.
Got any grass clippings?
What about used coffee grounds?
I also am one of those pee freaks.
Got any grass clippings?
What about used coffee grounds?
I also am one of those pee freaks.
TN_GARDENER- Posts : 228
Join date : 2011-06-16
Location : TN
Similar topics
» Hmmm, Compost compost, how do you fair in the compost worldl?
» Compost starter?
» Super Hot Compost Starter
» How small can a starter compost pile be?
» Please post pics of starter compost pile
» Compost starter?
» Super Hot Compost Starter
» How small can a starter compost pile be?
» Please post pics of starter compost pile
Page 1 of 1
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
|
|