Do You Have A Compost Pile?
By keithandlisa
@keithandlisa (192)
United States
March 30, 2007 7:54am CST
My husband and I are looking for ways to create a healthier garden. We talked about starting a compost pile last fall, but then the snow began to fall and we never started one. I have heard good things about having a compost pile, but do not really know how to start one. Is it a lot of work? Are there other tips to improve a garden?
2 people like this
6 responses
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
30 Mar 07
I used to have an ongoing compost pile till I couldn't turn it anymore w/o my back going out so I bought a CompostTumbler which is basically a steel drum on a stand that is enclosed and you can turn just by cranking the handle once a day for fsst compost. I had mine for over 10yrs when it finally rusted thru last year. Plan on buying another as soon as money allows it. An alternative, if you don't plan on using the compost for potting soil, is to just bury your kitchen scraps directly in your garden and when fall comes, pile the leaves in it along with anything else organic and let it sit over the winter. Come spring, shallow-till it under b4 planting again.
www.composttumbler.com
2 people like this
@Jakesnake1978 (1380)
• United States
11 May 08
I was glad that you had a compostumbler. I am sorry that your machine rusted. Well, if you have enough extra funds, just order a new compostumbler. Also order a cover that will completely cover your tumbler to be protected from wetness that causes rusts. If you go back to the website again, they will have covers available.
1 person likes this
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
12 May 08
Actually, it rusted on the inside, not outside. They used to make them with a steel rod going thru it that was attached to a gear that turned it. The rod itself rusted thru and when I contacted the company about getting a replacement rod, they had since revamped it where there was no longer a rod going thru it, therefore, they didn't have a replacement. One of these days when I have the extra money I'll get another one. Next one will be bigger thou. I had the porch style tumbler.
@drakan291 (817)
• Ireland
31 Mar 07
Well in the back of my HUGE garden there is a massive compost heap no not one of those litle boxes that don't do anything just a big heap. It really dosn't neeed musch work but it is best if you turn it once a year!
2 people like this
@kamalila (193)
• United States
4 Apr 07
That's petty much what I have as well.
We dump all the kitchen scraps that don't go to the animals (dog and chickens) in there. Also, when I clean the chicken coop, the stuff goes in the heap. I looked at it last week, and, yup, looks like a pile of dirt with kitchen scraps on top.
Our soil is largely clay, so for us, the heap is about more than nutrients. It's also about adding vegetable matter to break up the clay.
We take the whole heap and work it into the gardens every spring.
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@sjettmomof2 (213)
• United States
30 Mar 07
We don't have one, but I have looked into it many times. You can make one from constructing a square out of four posts and some chicken wire, leaving the top open. You can add anything that will break down,like grass clippings,food, etc... Every few weeks you will need to work up the pile. This helps the new matter to break down. We add pelleted lime to our garden as well as fetilizer. The lime will keep your corn greener and make it grow better. If you have alot of rain, it will also help keep the ground from growing mold. After my plants and seeds start growing good I also add Preen to my garden. It will not harm your plants. It works by keeping new weed seeds from sprouting. It will keep you weed free for up to three months. They have come out with a Preen Organic this year, but it has to be reapplyed more often. I hope I helped some. Good luck!
1 person likes this
@keithandlisa (192)
• United States
30 Mar 07
Thanks for all of the useful tips. You have given me some new ideas to get my garden started this year. Since I won't have any compost material available for this spring I will check in to the pelleted lime and fertilizer to get a jump start this year!
2 people like this
@coolseeds (3919)
• United States
9 May 08
I just found your discussion. If you would like composting tips please see my discussion http://www.mylot.com/w/discussions/1509247.aspx
It contains tips to speed up your compost. Definitely worth the read.
Good Luck
2 people like this
@Jakesnake1978 (1380)
• United States
11 May 08
Hey, you guys.
Let me point out something great. I know that you are about to have a big compost pile. You know that the compost pile, the interior part and bottom, takes ten or so months to decay and you mix up the pile. All that labor gets hard on your back. Right? What I would love to point out is that a certain machine converts organic material into new compost, great for your gardens. It is known as a compostumbler. That machine is neat, it makes compost in two weeks. What I suggest you guys to do is to simply go to www.compostumbler.com. They have lots of information available for you to look into. They have awesome machines to offer. The company is located in Pennsylvania. Let me know what you think. OK? I look forward for your great reply. Happy gardening!
JakeSnake1978
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