Compost anyone?

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Crabbergirl

Super Moderator
Staff member
WOW! I was so surprised to see all the post! Awesome! Great shared info too. I have had many types of piles, bins and composters. They all have their advantages and disadvantages so I am glad to see everyone's input. Helps those who are new to composting get a welll rounded view. My favorite is my pallet bin. It was critter proof and is so easy to bulid and move.
Chicken poop. Great stuff ...hot stuff! One thing I like to do is take one ( for lack of a better term) glob of poo and add to a gallon of water. Makes great poo tea for tomatoes. I let it sit over night and then mix well. Use like some of those chemical water based mixes, without the fear of chemicals.

I have recently been bedding down unsed areas of the garden with newspaper and grass and leaves. It's a great time of the year for that. Also solarizining even though it's winter can be done now in prep for spring plantings. So much to do so little time.
 
S

Sproutling

Guest
You know it Crabbergirl!

Nothing like the scent and feel and results of BLACK GOLD!

NOTHING.

Keep On Composting!!!!!!!!!!

Sproutling:)
 

flwrs4ever

New Member
ok, I have to admit...I would love to learn about composting, but just the thought overwhelms me...so can you all help a "newbie" to composting...I dont even know where to start...I ve been wanting hubby to make a compost bin...we do pile alot of stuff in a spot in the yard...but id like to use the scraps from dinner...and worms.

Ok, I am sitting in the classroom, wanting to learn...anyone willing to teach me ?
 

Flower4Yeshua

Super Moderator & vegemm
Staff member
you know far more than you know flwrs....you can put in any lawn clippings ...leaves..food scraps...no meant or dariy though...coffee grounds...tea leaves...egg shells..although I save my egg shells and crush them up for sanal and slug control around my plants...we put in shredded paper...not glossy...and water...in the winter not a need to add water...but summer months you want to make sure you keep it moist....hope this helps...
on the "bin"...a plie works...you can also use four posts and fence to make it build up...chicken wire or feild fence works well...pallets also make a nice compost bin...if you are looking for smaller...garbage cans can be uses...or you can buy fancy composters...we built one once with cinder blocks....many many options...
 

sassmuffin

New Member
Our Metro waste management has a rain barrel program with a link to the KGMB (keep greater milwaukee beautiful) site for the composter, our's here run about 60 bucks, the rain barrels are 30 each.
 

Mainegal

Super Moderator
Staff member
i just tried to get in the chat as i just got home and i clicked on the above link but it says the site is not found
 

flwrs4ever

New Member
you had to take the /off the address...I had trouble too, but my kids wanted to decorate the tree...so once I got into the site, I had to go and be with them...sure wish I could of done the chat...

thanks for all the info on composting...is there any food ya cant put in...and I have a rabbit, can I dump the cedar chips into the compost....and is it best to add worms ?
 

Flower4Yeshua

Super Moderator & vegemm
Staff member
you don't want any meat in your compost ...or any waste that comes from a meat eater.
We put the pine savings in from bedding...but have never added cedar ..I don't think it would be a problem
 
K

Kale

Guest
Whats your knowledge on pigeon poop!*LOL


I have a nice size pile only not certain what to do with it.
It is however aged up to ten years living in a storefront awning.Not sure there is any value to it.
**My main concern is; is there any danger in touching it once it breaks down to dirt.
I have it all by itself. Never added anything.
Thanks for your help with this pile of pigeon droppings ...

Kale:)
 

shinekeeper

New Member
Kale, pigeon droppings carry or, are a source of histoplasmosis, a dangerous fungus that can cause blindness and breathing trouble when inhaled by humans. I have 2 friends that have this. When there are concentrations of droppings in our city, it is considered hazardous, especially when dry. Please research this.
 
K

Kale

Guest
I did learn it was dangerous, after learning it was powdery, and caused me to get ill.
I naturally tried to avoid the powder (dust) but a few wind changes got me.
Figured it was like a poultry, so there it is, a small mound, in corner of yard...

Good for nothing??

I was hesitant to move it due to how ill I got from it. I don't think it is dusty any more; then again I do not know what is going on in the center.

Kale
 
K

Kale

Guest
Bag it and trash it huh?

Only if it is broke down, still not any good for hostas,on the side of my garage?
I wont touch it !*LOL


Kale
 

Crabbergirl

Super Moderator
Staff member
Composting is really very easy. There are a couple things to remember. Brown, Green, and in between!
I have had piles, bins and containers.
I will try to add a new container every couple days so be sure to check in,
Bins are great especially if you have a critter issue. And yes dogs and cats count. They love to dig in the compost and eat anything that resembles food.
My best bins were made from free pallets. You know the wooden kind that stores use for moving stock , mine happen to come from sod as we live very near sod farms.
a single bin can be made from 4-5 pallets. I used 2x6 as top rails to hold the pallets together on top and 2x4 as corner post. You start with just a 3 sided bin. Then the front or door can just be wedged between the sides and I simply lay a 5th pallet on top to keep critters out. One year I went to all the trouble of putting hindges on the top but being outside the didn't hold up will. So I ditched that idea. Now for a nice 3 bin compost center you nedd 13 pallets. All you do is attach them in succsession. It's great for new , working and a finished bin.

Compost Tip #1
Save those nice plastic coffe cans with the snap on lid. I always have one under my sink that all my daily kitchen scraps go in to. I have a five gallon bucket out side that I dump into from the kitchen daily. That way I only have to make a trip out to the bin every few days.
Stay tuned for more
 


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