New at composting?

15 years ago

Reading these threads got me enthusiastic!

I have read many posts here and other places on the web trying to learn.

Decided to jump right in and have a go.

I have created 2 piles, each is currently about 4 ft tall 3-4 ft x 5-6 ft they are free standing not in bins.

I have used a mix of straw and fine shredded paper and cardboard for most of my browns along with a small amount of old pine needles and a bit of sawdust

I have many layers going,the browns then the following goodies separate or mixed grass, flower cuttings, about 50 gallons of out of date canned vegetables(throw offs from local food bank they can not use), freezer burned vegetables, several dozen stale bagels, and freezer burned donuts and breads as well. UCG (thanks Starbucks!) general kitchen scraps, some over ripe vegetables from my garden, cabbage leafs and spent garden plants. a vacuum cleaner bags contents and dryer sheets/dryer lint

I am still actively adding on to the piles and thinking of starting a third. I am adding a bit of water every other day (Shower setting on hose) as well as an occasional bit of diluted urine. I am hoping for/trying for hot beds, so far they are just sitting there, it has only been just over a week, does not seem to be heating up yet.

I did lightly water some of the layers I felt should have added moisture as I built the stack.........

Do I have patience and let it sit a little longer ? Do I go ahead and turn the piles now? Do I need to add something else? Please advise!

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Comments (10)

toxcrusadr
15 years ago
Hi tesmith and welcome to the wacky world of composting.

You can turn every couple of weeks if you are a fanatic, or every couple of months if you are lazy. In the end, it all leads back to compost.

If you can manage it, mix your materials rather than layering when first making your pile, and it will compost faster. Layering as materials are available is OK too but when you have them there all at once, it's best to blend.

If they are not heating after a week, you may need more greens to get them going. Although of course (as you probably know) they don't have to heat up to make compost, only to make compost faster.
tesmith
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks for the welcome and the words of advice!
I just yearn to see a good steaming hot pile!
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jonhughes
15 years ago
Your wish is my command ;-)

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shermthewerm
15 years ago
It never gets old, Jon! Inspirational.
tesmith
Original Author
15 years ago
Jon, of course like so many others I drool at your steaming bins! I will get there I know I will! Not quite on your scale, (Yet) But I am just starting and trying to learn the right combination!
Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
15 years ago
There is no right or wrong combination. Anything organic will rot. Whether there is heat or turning or not. It's all good, just put it in there (not including the standard no-nos: dairy, meat, bones, sticks larger than your finger, weed seeds, poison ivy/oak/sumac, large amounts of anything really salty or greasy.) At whatever point you decide, it will be necessary to leave one of the piles alone so it can finish. Or you could consolidate these 2 piles and then start the 2nd over. The bigger the pile, the more likely it will actually heat up.
tesmith
Original Author
15 years ago
I can see it becoming a fever,Like building a mountain how big , oh just a little more! Then again, maybe a little more.
I think my family thinks I am nuts I get excited, NOOOOOOO do not throw that away, put it in this bucket or this box I want that to compost! Well I know I am putting in the effort, do not know if I can get a hot pile cooking but eventually I will get several piles of this gold! I guess I am a part of this club, I am finding this strangely addicting!
coconut_head
15 years ago
I am finding that I do not have enough materials to keep my pile as big as I would like, it keeps shrinking on me. I will have copius amounts of maple leaves here in another week or so, but I have filled my pallet bin 4-5 times, all the way to the top over the summer and right now it's still just about a 3.5 Ft pile.

I think I'll have to make a run to a few local diners and donught shops to see if I can get someone to help me out by saving some of their scraps. Man I need a pickup truck.

I just got out scavenged on craigslist for a nice 4.5 HP Gas chipper shredder for $99 because I asked if I could fit it in my car trunk and the guy didn't know, a few hours later a guy called who already had a pickup and it was sold.
Ellee
15 years ago
Say, Coco, have you checked the curbside on pick-up day? My neighbors get rid of more leaves and grass clippings than I can possibly collect...
coconut_head
15 years ago
Unfortunately, due to budget issues, My town just stopped collecting curbside grass and brush weekly. They do one fall and one spring run but I missed the spring and the fall one isn't around yet.