Comments on: Composting Methods to Try at Home http://compostguide.com Tips for home composting Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:46:41 +0000 hourly 1 By: lars http://compostguide.com/composting-methods-to-try-at-home/comment-page-1/#comment-799 lars Mon, 07 Nov 2011 17:00:27 +0000 http://compostguide.com/?page_id=45#comment-799 @mswinkler When you can no longer identify individual ingredients and it looks and smells like rich, dark earth, it should be ready. @mswinkler

When you can no longer identify individual ingredients and it looks and smells like rich, dark earth, it should be ready.

]]> By: mswinkler http://compostguide.com/composting-methods-to-try-at-home/comment-page-1/#comment-791 mswinkler Sun, 06 Nov 2011 19:05:21 +0000 http://compostguide.com/?page_id=45#comment-791 I'd like to start a compost pile, but I was wondering how you know when it's ready to use in your garden? I’d like to start a compost pile, but I was wondering how you know when it’s ready to use in your garden?

]]> By: Jean Claude http://compostguide.com/composting-methods-to-try-at-home/comment-page-1/#comment-645 Jean Claude Tue, 13 Sep 2011 17:54:39 +0000 http://compostguide.com/?page_id=45#comment-645 Hi! So i went to turn over my compost bin the other day, and guess what? I found mushrooms growing! They are probably edible since i've been addind kitchen scraps in there which definately had mushroom peels in there. Is this good or bad? I'm curious about the fact that they can be edible , but I don't think it's safe. Hi!

So i went to turn over my compost bin the other day, and guess what? I found mushrooms growing! They are probably edible since i’ve been addind kitchen scraps in there which definately had mushroom peels in there. Is this good or bad? I’m curious about the fact that they can be edible , but I don’t think it’s safe.

]]> By: steve http://compostguide.com/composting-methods-to-try-at-home/comment-page-1/#comment-541 steve Wed, 03 Aug 2011 13:08:57 +0000 http://compostguide.com/?page_id=45#comment-541 @Adian, You don't have to use a container to compost. A bin or (container) simply helps speed up the process by creating the ideal conditions. As for the type of container that is the best, I would say brick or cinder block, next best being plastic and finally wood. The brick will last the longest and is most durable but plastic is a close second. Try keeping your compost pile or compost bin in an area that gets the most sun, this way you can help it stay hot during the colder months. Yes, having two or more composters going at one time is best, this way you can add to the other while the first one is finishing up. Yes, you can add more of the same days later, just keep adding until it’s full and keep it moist and well mixed. Mix it once a week. You should stop adding more material when you are ready to finish up that bin and let it complete the breaking down process. Yes, you can add frozen freezer burned vegetables to your compost pile. Don't make this more complicated than what it is, just add browns and greens, mix and keep it wet as a wrung out sponge. You will learn as you go, just have fun with it. @Adian, You don’t have to use a container to compost. A bin or (container) simply helps speed up the process by creating the ideal conditions. As for the type of container that is the best, I would say brick or cinder block, next best being plastic and finally wood. The brick will last the longest and is most durable but plastic is a close second. Try keeping your compost pile or compost bin in an area that gets the most sun, this way you can help it stay hot during the colder months. Yes, having two or more composters going at one time is best, this way you can add to the other while the first one is finishing up. Yes, you can add more of the same days later, just keep adding until it’s full and keep it moist and well mixed. Mix it once a week. You should stop adding more material when you are ready to finish up that bin and let it complete the breaking down process. Yes, you can add frozen freezer burned vegetables to your compost pile. Don’t make this more complicated than what it is, just add browns and greens, mix and keep it wet as a wrung out sponge. You will learn as you go, just have fun with it.

]]> By: Adrian http://compostguide.com/composting-methods-to-try-at-home/comment-page-1/#comment-532 Adrian Sat, 30 Jul 2011 22:26:21 +0000 http://compostguide.com/?page_id=45#comment-532 I read Lorraine's question about using a large trash barrel for composting. You replied that it would slow the process. What is the best type of container to use? What should it be made of? Where should it be kept? I read that you should have two sections or piles for composting so that you don't "set the clock back" on your pile. At what point should you stop adding new material. If I put a small pile of yard waste and table scraps in the bin on a Monday, is it ok to add more of the same on the Friday of that same week? Also, can you add frozen vegetables that have been frozen so long that they have freezer burn and are no longer edible? Sorry for all of the questions, but I really need information!! :o) Thanks for any information. I read Lorraine’s question about using a large trash barrel for composting. You replied that it would slow the process. What is the best type of container to use? What should it be made of? Where should it be kept? I read that you should have two sections or piles for composting so that you don’t “set the clock back” on your pile. At what point should you stop adding new material. If I put a small pile of yard waste and table scraps in the bin on a Monday, is it ok to add more of the same on the Friday of that same week? Also, can you add frozen vegetables that have been frozen so long that they have freezer burn and are no longer edible? Sorry for all of the questions, but I really need information!! :o )
Thanks for any information.

]]> By: steve http://compostguide.com/composting-methods-to-try-at-home/comment-page-1/#comment-413 steve Mon, 20 Jun 2011 13:44:29 +0000 http://compostguide.com/?page_id=45#comment-413 @Chey Cook, In order to get you compost pile hot enough to kill unwanted seeds or weed seeds you will need to get your pile nearly 140 degrees. Assuming you are batch composting, you should be able to get your pile in the 125 to 140 range. This should kill most seeds. @Chey Cook, In order to get you compost pile hot enough to kill unwanted seeds or weed seeds you will need to get your pile nearly 140 degrees. Assuming you are batch composting, you should be able to get your pile in the 125 to 140 range. This should kill most seeds.

]]> By: Chey Cook http://compostguide.com/composting-methods-to-try-at-home/comment-page-1/#comment-402 Chey Cook Fri, 17 Jun 2011 20:10:48 +0000 http://compostguide.com/?page_id=45#comment-402 How hot should compost get to kill all the unwanted seeds, etc. and to make compost the quickest way? How hot should compost get to kill all the unwanted seeds, etc. and to make compost the quickest way?

]]> By: steve http://compostguide.com/composting-methods-to-try-at-home/comment-page-1/#comment-386 steve Mon, 13 Jun 2011 13:44:21 +0000 http://compostguide.com/?page_id=45#comment-386 @Cherry, Do you mean, do you need manure to successfully compost? If that is the question, the answer is no. Will manure help, yes, but manure can be messy, if you get some make sure its dried out some. Basically manure will help speed up the composting process by jump starting the micro organisms which are found in the manure. Compost starter or accelerator (activator) will do the same thing. @Cherry, Do you mean, do you need manure to successfully compost? If that is the question, the answer is no. Will manure help, yes, but manure can be messy, if you get some make sure its dried out some. Basically manure will help speed up the composting process by jump starting the micro organisms which are found in the manure. Compost starter or accelerator (activator) will do the same thing.

]]> By: Cherry http://compostguide.com/composting-methods-to-try-at-home/comment-page-1/#comment-384 Cherry Sun, 12 Jun 2011 23:21:47 +0000 http://compostguide.com/?page_id=45#comment-384 Do I NEED manure? Should I contact a farmer? Thank you, Cherry Do I NEED manure? Should I contact a farmer?
Thank you,
Cherry

]]> By: steve http://compostguide.com/composting-methods-to-try-at-home/comment-page-1/#comment-93 steve Tue, 16 Nov 2010 12:19:12 +0000 http://compostguide.com/?page_id=45#comment-93 @lorraine farmer, Yes, you can, however it will likely break down fairly slow. However if you get a good mix of around 60-70% carbon and 30-40% nitrogen it will break down quicker. You may want to use some compost accelerator or finished compost to give it a jump start. Keep it well mixed and moist as a well rung out sponge. Good luck! @lorraine farmer, Yes, you can, however it will likely break down fairly slow. However if you get a good mix of around 60-70% carbon and 30-40% nitrogen it will break down quicker. You may want to use some compost accelerator or finished compost to give it a jump start. Keep it well mixed and moist as a well rung out sponge. Good luck!

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