Comments on: Composting Chart

By: steve

steve — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:36:00 +0000

@Soraya, Assuming you did not add more than a few pounds of ash you will be fine, it will adjust itself over time, just keep adding browns and greens, keep moist and well aerated. If you think you added way to much ash, try adding some sphagnum peat, it will bring it down.

By: Soraya

Soraya — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:33:10 +0000

I started my compost bin about 3 weeks ago, been adding lot’s of “Browns” and “Greens”. I had read from another source that wood ash would be okay, so I added some when I cleaned out my fireplace, now I have been reading it can cause the compost to become too alkaline. What can I do to get the pH were it needs to be now? Thanks for all the useful information! Happy composting

By: steve

steve — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 17:13:49 +0000

@roy, Good idea, especially for those of you with no source of nitrogen. Also, if you have lots of leaves and no source of nitrogen, coffee grounds work well.

By: roy

roy — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 03:01:54 +0000

I have mostly shredded leaves in my compost pile. when I turn the leaves can I sprinkle in some urea which is 46% nitrogen?

By: steve

steve — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 16:39:15 +0000

@Stephen Walker, Sounds like you have lots of great material to use, and yes, newspaper makes great material to add to a composter. Make sure you tear it up so it breaks down faster. Also, make sure you moisten the newspaper in your composter as well.

By: Stephen Walker

Stephen Walker — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 17:11:32 +0000

Howdy from Texas!
Found lots of useful information here like the whole dryer lint thing. I work at a hotel and have boat loads of newspaper, coffee grounds, apples from the breakfast bar and now lint! I noticed not to use too much newspaper though. Is that because too much is bad for the compost or is recycling the more environmentally responsible thing to do? Thanks for all the info, great site!

By: steve

steve — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 20:19:45 +0000

@Gabe, Its likely the grubs you are talking about are ok, and will not cause a problem in your compost bin. However, if they’re the grubs that will turn to the Japanese beetle, they eat your grass roots and can kill your lawn. Do they look like the grubs on this link? http://web.ncf.ca/bf250/grubs.html
Here is another non-toxic way to rid your bin and lawn of these pests: http://www.cleanairgardening.com/milkyspore.html

By: Gabe

Gabe — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 20:02:20 +0000

Steve,

This past weekend while turning my pile of compost I noticed some very healthy grub worms. Is this a good sign or should I rid them of the composter and leave the goods for the red worms??

Thanks, great site!

Gabe

By: steve

steve — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 12:43:50 +0000

@Natasha McManus, Not the best idea, you will likely get maggots and weevils, its best to leave breads, grains, meats, bones and dairy out of your compost bin.

By: Natasha McManus

Natasha McManus — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 21:18:24 +0000

Hi Steve,

I am new to composting and have couple of questions. I am using a compost bin. Can I compost bread and cooked grains – like rice, millet, buckwheat and oatmeal? Thanks!

Natasha