Hey, gang, she didn't hear about us from me... nope... honest.... ;-)
TQB, there's a good FAQ to check out -- you'll be tossin' the lingo around in no time!

Kris (weirdly interesting in a crazy sort of way)

Welcome! Yeah, I'd say start with the FAQs and then browse through all the "What have you fed your compost pile today?" discussions - well maybe not ALL since there is one for every month - but you get the idea. ;)

There is also a great one called "what are you using for browns" since they are the hardest things to come up with (and no, dried grass clippings doesn't count as a brown - umpteen posts on that one).

Tell us about your piles/bins/tumblers and then consider freezing those veggies rotting in the fridge. ;)

Dave

PS: we also need to know if you can (or cannot) tolerate bugs in your compost. :^)

Thanks...I'll check out the FAQ's. Kris who? :)In the summer I toss the rotting veggies right into the compost and do the same in winter as they'll freeze out there without wasting the freezer space/time/energy...at least that's what I figure. I keep a 5gal bucket on the back deck and dump into that from smaller bucket under the sink (sealed with a lid :) I'm not THAT nuts! Anyhoo...then when the 5gal is full I dump in the compost bins outside.

They're 3 bins @ 3ftX3ftX3ft right next to one another with removable slats in front to make turning, dumping, adding easier. My DH built them about 5 years ago...they work great. I just haven't been able to fill them up very much. Only 2 adults living here and we haven't been picking up grass clippings. BUT I think we need to invest in that apparatus.My neighbor knows she's welcome to dump her stuff in there too so that's helped this year. Browns end up being cardboard, TP and paper towel rolls, woody mulch and dead plant material. I need to learn what's really what when it comes to green/browns, I guess. So thanks and "I'LL BE BACK" when I learn a bit more with more questions. TQB

TQB - probably better to leave your grass clippings on the lawn. Is there anybody near you who HAS to dispose of his grass clippings - if so, and not having pesticides on the grass, you may want to consider getting other peoples' grass clippings.

Thanks, is that because my grass clippings are just too good to remove from my lawn and do such good stuff there. I'm very rural and have one neighbor. I THINK they use junk on their lawn but he's a lawn freak and makes sure every blade is picked up...so I'll check w/them. Thanks again.

I have found the web site below to be one of the best places to learn about, or learn more about, or sometimes even to relearn, composting.

Here is a link that might be useful: Florida Composting Online

That florida site has lots of helpful information

"Greens" - Nitrogen Sources - Materials that are a good source of nitrogen are called "Greens" and are characterized as having a low C:N ratio (C:N ratio less than 30:1) and are generally high in moisure and fast to decompose. Examples of "greens" include manure, inorganic fertilizer, vegetable kitchen scraps, green leaves, and grass clippings. Not all "greens" are green in color. For example, coffee grounds are a nitrogen source.

"Browns" - Carbon Source - Materials that are high in carbon relative to nitrogen (i.e., C:N greater than 30:1), are called "Browns", and are generally dry and slow to decompose. They are generally brownish or darker in color. Examples of "browns" include: straw, leaves, chipped branches and tree trimmings, paper, and sawdust. Browns decompose at low temperatures unless combined with a source of nitrogen.

Finding a mix of greens and browns that is in balance can be important. The optimum C:N ratio for rapid composting is about 30:1.

TQB, are you brave enough to compost old bread?

Yep, piedmontnc, I'll compost anything if it's good for the pile. What do you have in mind? :)

Like Dave said

We must determine if you can handle the bugs

:D

EH, where are you guys going with this? Oh, sorry, I thought I already answered the "bug" question. I'm not a fan of maggots but I'm a gardener, so I'll do almost anything necessary to be successful. What kind of bugs are you talking about? Answer: Yes, I can handle the bugs. (I hope)

Hi TQB, if Kris sent you over here you might wanna question her friendship. Just kidding, Kris is okay.

There is a forum member who has just a teensy tiny wee bit of an issue with using (lean close, I have to whisper this) b-r-e-a-d in a compost bin and anyone who has the gumption to do so, may receive a letter of guidance so as to correct the errors of their ways.

Most of us will not even utter that word and compost in the same breath for fear of suffering the Wrath of Ahnn. (I have heard tell that she is really quite harmless but she does think I am an axe murderer so what do I know)

So I think there was just an attempt to lead you down a dangerous path from which there may not be any chance of recovery. If anyone asks, YOU DO NOT COMPOST b-r-e-a-d!

Lloyd

TQB "Devil's Advocate" here....(hold your ears) SO WHAT'S wrong with bread? I wouldn't think to add it because of maybe oils that were added, but we make most of our own bread and the rest is rarely uneaten. We are carb addicts, apparently! I'm pretty happy with the results I have been getting but now know I need to make "ingoing" a bit smaller. I'm realizing that there are various opinions of what's ok and what's not. I thought only meats and oils shouldn't go into the pile? Not so?
Now, though, in a previous life I was a nurse and SHOULD know chemistry, all that 30:1 and C:N is confusing and makes my eyes glassy. SO, I do better with what "things" to add and what "things" not to add and (care I say this) decide from there what I have to add by what I have on hand? Don't throw things, please!

TQB...shortest thread I could find that gets to the gist of the (bread) issue for the one aforementioned forum member...

Lloyd

Beware the Wrath of Ahnn.

TQB: If you find the 30:1 ratio confusing, do what I do. I add stuff to the pile.

If it smells bad, I add more high carbon matter (paper, leaves, etc) and/or turn it. If it doesn't heat up enough, I add more high nitrogen matter (used coffee grounds, grass clippings, grains, etc), and/or add water and/or turn it.

I live in the desert and never have a problem with too much moisture, so I don't know what I'd do if I had that happen. I think the answer is to add more dry high carbon stuff.

Bread in compost is not a serious issue, unless you are glutaphobic.

If you are having trouble figuring out whether something is "green" or "brown," try this. If you think it might have protein in it, it is green. If you don't think it has protein in it, then it is brown. Note that some "greens" appear brown (coffee grounds, wheat, and others), while some "browns" appear green (most green vegetables have no protein). Seeds, beans, nuts, and grains are green no matter what color they look because they are full of protein. Grass is a green because it stores protein in the blades (thus grass is a protein source in livestock forage).

So here's a test. Which of the following are green and which are brown:

Milk
Eggs
Meat
Cottonseed
Cotton
Tomato fruit
Tomato seeds

I don't pay any attention to ratios. I never have enough protein sources anyway.

OMG...is this an OPEN BOOK TEST. OK, here goes, no one is allowed to laugh at me or smirk...I'm a newbie to this forum.
Greens: milk, eggs, meat, cotton seed, tomato seed
Browns: cotton, tomato fruit.
Re-reading blessedfrog: are green leaves greens because they have protein still in them working as a live food manufacturing plant for the treee and the fallen leaves brown because they're now dead and not producing anymore. I"M TAKING A HUGE step asking this because I might feel really stupid, but Sister, don't hit me with the ruler. I need to learn even if I sounds dumb. But I need to understand MY WAY...very scary.
OH THANKS, pt03...that maggot thread had me barfing!! If they show up I'll puke, but turn my pile while moaning in fear! I'll get it. I have composted before but would like more and more knowledge. But I've also learned IALBTC! Right?