Comments on: Composting Tips

By: kerry01

kerry01 — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 03:44:41 +0000

Great articles – I am just about ready for my first load of compost quite excited.

By: steve

steve — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 14:19:05 +0000

@Katarina, Yes, you can compost by allowing it to sit on or in the ground, eventually it will break down. As for the length of time, that is impossible to know, there are too many variables. In ideal conditions it would take a few months, but could take as long as a few years. Make sure you have a good source of both browns and greens and keep it as moist as a well rung out sponge. Aerate it every week or two, and check the temperature when you aerate (mix) it.

By: Katarina

Katarina — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 14:15:31 +0000

I am starting organic garden. Please let me know if it is possible to make compost directly in the ground in soil and cover it well with plastic foil and wood….if so how long app takes compost to mature that way? What does do mature compost look like and how do I use it? Thank you

By: steve

steve — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:54:55 +0000

@Sun Hee, No, it will not harm your garden.

By: Sun Hee

Sun Hee — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 06:38:52 +0000

If I want to use the compost on my vegetable garden, can I still use a plastic composting bin? Won’t the toxins (BPA, etc.) from the plastic leach into the compost? Thanks.

By: steve

steve — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:22:51 +0000

@Jean Johnson, Composting in the Deep South should not be a problem, even with the climate. Your best bet is to use a compost bin instead of just making a compost pile. A composter made of plastic or wood will keep the material confined to a limited area and allow you to compost more quickly, and keep critters out. If you don’t want the added expense of buying one, you can always make one out of cinder blocks, pallets or chicken wire. Keep in mind buying the material to make one can be more costly at times then buying one already made.

By: Jean Johnson

Jean Johnson — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 01:33:22 +0000

I live in the deep south & was wanting to make a compost pile but the climate is so damp I’m not sure it would work. Please reply if you have a good solution….Ms. Jean

By: steve

steve — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 15:29:57 +0000

@Yas, Yes, that will work but it will need air holes in the bottom to drain the water out and air holes all round the top and sides to allow oxygen in. Without air and water the compost material will not break down. Make sure to keep it moist as a well rung out sponge and aerate (mix) it weekly. The fastest way to mix your unfinished compost is to dump it out and shovel it back in. Make sure a majority of your content is browns (carbons).

By: Yas

Yas — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 08:04:28 +0000

Hey I’m new at this gardening stuff but I want to get in the habit of growing produce for myself. I’ve never made compost before and I was wondering if I could just pile kitchen scraps, dead leaves, paper etc in a bucket? If i cover the bucket with a lid so as to not attract pests…will the material still degrade?

By: steve

steve — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 17:57:37 +0000

Marilyn,
Yes, it can be saved! I suggest you give it a good mix, using a shovel, pitch fork, etc and make sure it’s moist. If you want to add some browns this is a good time. Then let it go for a few weeks not adding any more browns or greens. After a few weeks check it and give it another good mix, adding water if it’s dry. It should be as moist as a well rung our sponge. In the mean time make another compost pile next to this one for your new browns and greens. Check it again after another few weeks and when everything has broken down, spread it on your lawn, garden, flower beds, or house plants.