Compost Question
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Posted: Sep/24/2008 12:48 PM PST
Okay, I started my compost on August 13th in a rolling type bin. I think it's pretty full & moist (compost sticks together) but it doesn't seem to be doing anything else. There's no odor but last I checked there was still some lettuce in there that still looked like it did when I tossed it in there about a week ago. Am I just impatient or should I add something to the compost? I'm confused as to whether I need to add more "green" or "brown" or just leave it. I haven't added anything new for a week. I'd like to be able to spread my compost on my garden this fall when the garden is all done. Any advice? |
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Posted: Sep/24/2008 6:23 PM PST
What all did you put in it? How often do you turn it? Does the outside of the bin feel warm or even hot to the touch? It may just need more time, and more turning |
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Posted: Sep/25/2008 12:45 PM PST
I turn it a couple of times every other day. No it doesn't feel hot. I've got a mix of; greens ~ coffee grounds, egg shells, fruit & veggie peels. Browns ~ hay, horse manure (fresh), mulch (cypress), pine needles. I think that pretty much covers it. When I first started it I add about 3 shovel fulls of dirt. |
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Posted: Sep/25/2008 4:50 PM PST
See if you can add some grass clippings in there. Nothing heats up a pile like clippings  How moist is it? Can you squeeze water out? If it's that moist let it dry out a bit- think damp sponge Only other thing I can think of is air flow- but with turning it as often as you do that shouldn't really be problem- unless there aren't enough air holes in the composter...Does it smell yucky? If it does than not enough airflow No matter what, you will get compost eventually It happens no matter what we do 
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Posted: Sep/26/2008 6:07 AM PST
Aurora, thanks for you replies. We mulch our grass so it's hard for me to get grass clippings. I did add some when my son came home the other night from his mowing job & there was grass on the trailer that had fallen off from the mower ~ I was so excited to see that! I think maybe at one time I had it to wet, it's a damp sponge consistency now, but I've got big damp clumps in there that look like big horse turds (sorry that's the only way I can think to describe it) so I've been breaking them up & give the tumbler a good spin. I plan on getting some leaves from my parents yard since they have a lot more trees then we do. |
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Posted: Sep/26/2008 2:04 PM PST
You're welcome We mulch our grass too. I get clippings from a landscaper friend on a regular basis. In the spring when I put grass clippings down on my beds as mulch I also go out the night before trash pick-up and get the bags that are at the curb, that's in addition to the extra clippings I get from my friend . |
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Posted: Sep/27/2008 6:20 AM PST
Quote: Originally posted by Aurora You're welcome We mulch our grass too. I get clippings from a landscaper friend on a regular basis. In the spring when I put grass clippings down on my beds as mulch I also go out the night before trash pick-up and get the bags that are at the curb, that's in addition to the extra clippings I get from my friend . LOL! I thought my husband was the only person on Earth to bring home lawn waste bags set out for pick-up! |
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Posted: Sep/27/2008 1:36 PM PST
Twiggy- that's green gold people throw out!
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Posted: Sep/28/2008 7:08 PM PST
I did that for many years, until our City created a recycling program for yard waste. We're very "green" here in Asheville, in this case much to my dismay. Not really  I have to sacrifice for the greater good sometimes!
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Posted: Oct/11/2008 2:49 PM PST
Hi everyone. It's me again  Would it hurt if I just decided to dump my compost on the garden? I'm really frustrated with my rolling bin. I think the moisture content is fine ~ I can grab some compost in my hand, squeeze it & it'll stick together ~ but the bin is almost full & as I spin & spin it I think all it does is form the matter into balls of what would you call it..... compost wanna be? Like I said earlier it looks like horse turds  I had been mixing in brown material (grass & hay) & leaving it alone but all that does is dry it up. There's no heat or odor & I'm afraid if I keep adding it's gonna get to full. Any suggestions? |
