Comments on: Troubleshooting Composting Problems http://compostguide.com Tips for home composting Wed, 16 May 2012 14:28:37 +0000 hourly 1 By: steve http://compostguide.com/troubleshooting-composting-problems/comment-page-1/#comment-1498 steve Wed, 16 May 2012 14:24:14 +0000 http://compostguide.com/?page_id=75#comment-1498 @Frank, I asked my old wife and she said it should be fine to add eggplant skin to the compost. @Frank, I asked my old wife and she said it should be fine to add eggplant skin to the compost.

]]> By: Frank http://compostguide.com/troubleshooting-composting-problems/comment-page-1/#comment-1478 Frank Fri, 11 May 2012 15:49:13 +0000 http://compostguide.com/?page_id=75#comment-1478 i was once told not to put eggplant skin in the compost, is this an old wive tail??? i was once told not to put eggplant skin in the compost,
is this an old wive tail???

]]> By: steve http://compostguide.com/troubleshooting-composting-problems/comment-page-1/#comment-1149 steve Mon, 06 Feb 2012 20:05:05 +0000 http://compostguide.com/?page_id=75#comment-1149 @Anton, Yes, you could be cooling it off but more important are you aerating it. If not, you should try turning it once a week. As you turn it, add water, just putting water on top is not sufficient. @Anton, Yes, you could be cooling it off but more important are you aerating it. If not, you should try turning it once a week. As you turn it, add water, just putting water on top is not sufficient.

]]> By: Anton http://compostguide.com/troubleshooting-composting-problems/comment-page-1/#comment-1148 Anton Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:42:52 +0000 http://compostguide.com/?page_id=75#comment-1148 I am cleaning out a neglected section of my garden. It´s being irrigated so the weeds are enormous. As I cut the weeds I use them to build up compost heaps, layering with horse manure and dry grass. A heap typically gets about three feet wide, five to six feet long and about 120 cm high; when the heaps are build I irrigate them and cover them with black gardening cloth that lets through water but not light. In theory everything looks right but I just can´t get the heaps to ignite and raise the temperature! Any ideas? Can too much water actually cool off the composition process and break it? I am cleaning out a neglected section of my garden. It´s being irrigated so the weeds are enormous. As I cut the weeds I use them to build up compost heaps, layering with horse manure and dry grass. A heap typically gets about three feet wide, five to six feet long and about 120 cm high; when the heaps are build I irrigate them and cover them with black gardening cloth that lets through water but not light. In theory everything looks right but I just can´t get the heaps to ignite and raise the temperature! Any ideas? Can too much water actually cool off the composition process and break it?

]]> By: steve http://compostguide.com/troubleshooting-composting-problems/comment-page-1/#comment-1026 steve Mon, 09 Jan 2012 19:01:44 +0000 http://compostguide.com/?page_id=75#comment-1026 @Sandi L, I have had the same problem, you can pick them out like you have already, or you can add some grub killer. Something like this: http://www.cleanairgardening.com/milkyspore.html @Sandi L, I have had the same problem, you can pick them out like you have already, or you can add some grub killer. Something like this: http://www.cleanairgardening.com/milkyspore.html

]]> By: Sandi L http://compostguide.com/troubleshooting-composting-problems/comment-page-1/#comment-1015 Sandi L Sun, 08 Jan 2012 05:29:58 +0000 http://compostguide.com/?page_id=75#comment-1015 My compost had about 20 or more "large" white grubs which I picked out and killed. The compost pile always has a lid on it and I can't understand where these came from. '"Any suggestions on how to get rid of these ugly things? My compost had about 20 or more “large” white grubs which I picked out and killed. The compost pile always has a lid on it and I can’t understand where these came from. ‘”Any suggestions on how to get rid of these ugly things?

]]> By: steve http://compostguide.com/troubleshooting-composting-problems/comment-page-1/#comment-882 steve Wed, 30 Nov 2011 12:38:37 +0000 http://compostguide.com/?page_id=75#comment-882 @Peter, You can try adding some diatomaceous earth, which will kill a fair number of the insects, otherwise repeating turning/aerating may disrupt the insects into finding a better home. @Peter, You can try adding some diatomaceous earth, which will kill a fair number of the insects, otherwise repeating turning/aerating may disrupt the insects into finding a better home.

]]> By: Peter W http://compostguide.com/troubleshooting-composting-problems/comment-page-1/#comment-876 Peter W Tue, 29 Nov 2011 00:54:44 +0000 http://compostguide.com/?page_id=75#comment-876 I have millions of bugs like millipedes etc in my composter. They contribute to the disintergration; however, when I move the composted material to the garden, the bugs go with it and eat the roots of all the existing plants and any new plants that shoot. I have tried flooding the compost to remove them prior to putting it on the garden but to no avail. Any ideas? Thanks Peter I have millions of bugs like millipedes etc in my composter. They contribute to the disintergration; however, when I move the composted material to the garden, the bugs go with it and eat the roots of all the existing plants and any new plants that shoot.

I have tried flooding the compost to remove them prior to putting it on the garden but to no avail.

Any ideas?

Thanks
Peter

]]> By: steve http://compostguide.com/troubleshooting-composting-problems/comment-page-1/#comment-831 steve Fri, 18 Nov 2011 14:17:06 +0000 http://compostguide.com/?page_id=75#comment-831 @michael, When adding citrus peels it is a good idea to first make sure they're shredded or chopped up. Then be sure to add a fair amount of carbon (browns) like leaves or dried grass clippings, keep it at a ratio of 4 to 1 by weight (four parts browns to one part citrus peels). Make sure the compost is well mixed and kept moist. @michael, When adding citrus peels it is a good idea to first make sure they’re shredded or chopped up. Then be sure to add a fair amount of carbon (browns) like leaves or dried grass clippings, keep it at a ratio of 4 to 1 by weight (four parts browns to one part citrus peels). Make sure the compost is well mixed and kept moist.

]]> By: michael http://compostguide.com/troubleshooting-composting-problems/comment-page-1/#comment-822 michael Mon, 14 Nov 2011 04:08:43 +0000 http://compostguide.com/?page_id=75#comment-822 What must you add to to the compost mix when using citrus peel? What must you add to to the compost mix when using citrus peel?

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