imported_Paul

sonofthesod

I tried composting last year and it really didn't work well for me. Not a tip, just a true confession - ended up with a large stack of stuff I had to get rid of.

JackSprat

Your problem was probably that you were putting too big of pieces of stuff. Whenever I add something to my compost I chop it into small pieces first so that it will break down easier. I just keep a knife and a big chopping block in my garden shed to do this.

sunny

Compost BioActiator will help your compost pile to heat up faster. Make sure you put your compost pile in a place that gets a full day's sun (heat). A black composter or black tarp helps attract the sun. If you don't have a turning composter, remember to turn your compost with a pitchfork...it needs oxygen to help it "cook".
You also need to keep you compost moist, but not too wet. LET IT ROT is a good book for composting help.

zuki

I don't compost now, but years ago when we lived in the Northwoods, I raked a bunch of leaves, and didn't haul them away. Just left them in a pile.
They were in a wooded area of the yard and not in the way, so I left them.
A year later the pile had shrunk way down, and turned into gorgeous compost. Mother Nature at her very Best !

imported_carol

That's great Zuki. I add lots of leaves to my compost in the fall and also dig them into the earth when I'm making a new bed along with seaweed, wood ash, peat moss etc.

Natalie

I have a lot of wet spots in my property (11 acres)...Should compost be kept dry, or is it ok to keep it near a damp spot? Will the wetness just cause molds, or will it help it to rot faster? It seems like we get pretty good compost from it, last years pile has made some nice dark dirt underneath...

Newt_

Natalie, compost decomposes better when it's moist. It should be soaking wet, but damp is good! Do be sure to turn it from time to time. The more often the better.

Newt

__________________
When weeding, the best way to make sure you are removing a weed and not a valuable plant is to pull on it. If it comes out of the ground easily, it is a valuable plant.

Heath

Hi! Guys
All good advice
Perfect compost is easy. All the info is on this page.
Cut or chop it up into small pieces, - 1½" is about right if
you are using a container or bin.
Keep it wet-ish or moist.
Keep it aerated. Turn it over to - shake it up as needed
Keep it warm. I cover mine with a 4" thick block of
Styrofoam in a plastic bag.
In summer useable in six weeks
Then start new heap or container
In winter full decomposition may take all winter.

Very satisfying when you get it right and take out your first beautiful
homemade sample
Good luck.

davlyn

I haven't had the best luck either. I follow the adivse. So far this yr it is looking like it's turning. But right now I have been adding my kitchen scrapes right in the garden to feed the worms. It's working. Someone on this sight mentioned that in the worm thread / maybe this thread. I was going to start a worm farm. But this way is easy.
I'll compost over the winter tho.

__________________
Linda*:) aka Davlyn