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Old 02-08-2008, 02:36 AM posted to uk.rec.gardening,rec.gardens,rec.gardens.edible
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Default Compost Making. Utterly Confused!!

On Fri, 01 Aug 2008 20:18:24 -0400, John McGaw wrote:
Sheldon wrote:
snip...

Composting is a verb... you compost to make humus.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/humus

---


And you mash chickpeas to make hummus...


That's why his gyros taste so awfull. He's been using compost.

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Old 02-08-2008, 03:52 AM posted to uk.rec.gardening,rec.gardens,rec.gardens.edible
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Default Compost Making. Utterly Confused!!

On Aug 1, 3:35 pm, z wrote:

also if i ever come across a worm on the sidewalk he/she


It. Earthworms are hermaphrodites.

goes into
the compost. (alive!!!)


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Old 02-08-2008, 04:25 AM posted to uk.rec.gardening,rec.gardens,rec.gardens.edible
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Default Compost Making. Utterly Confused!!

In article
,
Father Haskell wrote:

On Aug 1, 3:35 pm, z wrote:

also if i ever come across a worm on the sidewalk he/she


It. Earthworms are hermaphrodites.


If they come to California they can get married ;O)
--

Billy
Bush and Pelosi Behind Bars
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KVTf...ef=patrick.net
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0aEo...eature=related
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Old 02-08-2008, 04:02 PM posted to uk.rec.gardening,rec.gardens,rec.gardens.edible
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Default Compost Making. Utterly Confused!!


"Omelet" wrote in message
news

Composting is a verb... you compost to make humus.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/humus

---


How do you build your compost/humus heaps Shel' baby?
--
Peace! Om


He talks into it.

David


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Old 02-08-2008, 04:12 PM posted to uk.rec.gardening,rec.gardens,rec.gardens.edible
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Default Compost Making. Utterly Confused!!


"Ed" ex@directory wrote in message
...
I took on an allotment plot earlier this year, and quickly cleared half
of it to grow at least some crops this season whilst I intensively
double-dig and clear the other half. All of that is going well.

So, now I want to make a compost bin. Eventually I plan to have 3.

I have scavenged 4 pallets each of which is 3ft x 4ft which I intend to
use to build a box that is 3ft square and 4 ft high. One of the sides
will be loosely (but securely) tied in so that it is removable for access.

But what to do next? I have read so much here and on google that I am
utterly confused.

Firstly, should I line the box with something like lino or old carpet in
order to keep the heat in or leave it as it is to allow for aeration?


Depends on temperature.

Secondly, do I have to stick to a strict regime as to how I build up the
layers?


You can but it isn't absolutely essential


I was just thinking of simply piling in layers of stuff as and
when I harvested crops throughout the season , maybe throw in some grass
cuttings from home, maybe throw in paper from the shredding machine,
maybe throw in some straw if it available.


Sounds OK to me

Do I have to add accelerators?


not unless you want it to go fast

Do I have to add lime?


it will degrade quite well without it, you may want to lime your garden as
compost comes out slightly acidic but it depends on your soil and overall
conditions how important this is

Do I have to turn
it?


Only if you want it to work at maximum speed

Do I add worms?


no they will find there own way there

Do I have to pee on it LOL!!


no but it is a useful thing to do with that resource


Making compost seems to have become such a scientific skill that I am
now quite wary of even starting to do so, lest I end up with some smelly
sickly sludge that it no good for anything.

Ed


Calm down it is not such a big deal. You can try to be super scientific but
if you are not it will still work but take longer.

David





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Old 02-08-2008, 05:17 PM posted to uk.rec.gardening,rec.gardens,rec.gardens.edible
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Default Compost Making. Utterly Confused!!

In article ,
"David Hare-Scott" wrote:

"Ed" ex@directory wrote in message
...
I took on an allotment plot earlier this year, and quickly cleared half
of it to grow at least some crops this season whilst I intensively
double-dig and clear the other half. All of that is going well.

So, now I want to make a compost bin. Eventually I plan to have 3.

I have scavenged 4 pallets each of which is 3ft x 4ft which I intend to
use to build a box that is 3ft square and 4 ft high. One of the sides
will be loosely (but securely) tied in so that it is removable for access.

But what to do next? I have read so much here and on google that I am
utterly confused.

Firstly, should I line the box with something like lino or old carpet in
order to keep the heat in or leave it as it is to allow for aeration?


Depends on temperature.

Secondly, do I have to stick to a strict regime as to how I build up the
layers?


You can but it isn't absolutely essential


I was just thinking of simply piling in layers of stuff as and
when I harvested crops throughout the season , maybe throw in some grass
cuttings from home, maybe throw in paper from the shredding machine,
maybe throw in some straw if it available.


Sounds OK to me

Do I have to add accelerators?


not unless you want it to go fast

Do I have to add lime?


it will degrade quite well without it, you may want to lime your garden as
compost comes out slightly acidic but it depends on your soil and overall
conditions how important this is

Do I have to turn
it?


Only if you want it to work at maximum speed

Do I add worms?


no they will find there own way there

Do I have to pee on it LOL!!


no but it is a useful thing to do with that resource


Making compost seems to have become such a scientific skill that I am
now quite wary of even starting to do so, lest I end up with some smelly
sickly sludge that it no good for anything.

Ed


Calm down it is not such a big deal. You can try to be super scientific but
if you are not it will still work but take longer.

David


My Dad runs PVC pipe about his pile. The 6 or 8 inch diameter pipe
has holes in it. Think pipe to defuse water but in this case it defuses
oxygen. AKA less need to turn.
Bill

--
Garden in shade zone 5 S Jersey USA
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Old 02-08-2008, 05:36 PM posted to uk.rec.gardening,rec.gardens,rec.gardens.edible
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Default Compost Making. Utterly Confused!!

In article
,
Billy wrote:

In article
,
Father Haskell wrote:

On Aug 1, 3:35 pm, z wrote:

also if i ever come across a worm on the sidewalk he/she


It. Earthworms are hermaphrodites.


If they come to California they can get married ;O)
--

Billy


To themselves? g
--
Peace! Om

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.
- Edmund Burke (1729 - 1797)
  #23   Report Post  
Old 02-08-2008, 06:02 PM posted to uk.rec.gardening,rec.gardens,rec.gardens.edible
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Posts: 503
Default Compost Making. Utterly Confused!!

In article ,
Omelet wrote:

In article ,
Ed ex@directory wrote:

I took on an allotment plot earlier this year, and quickly cleared half
of it to grow at least some crops this season whilst I intensively
double-dig and clear the other half. All of that is going well.

So, now I want to make a compost bin. Eventually I plan to have 3.

I have scavenged 4 pallets each of which is 3ft x 4ft which I intend to
use to build a box that is 3ft square and 4 ft high. One of the sides
will be loosely (but securely) tied in so that it is removable for access.

But what to do next? I have read so much here and on google that I am
utterly confused.

Firstly, should I line the box with something like lino or old carpet in
order to keep the heat in or leave it as it is to allow for aeration?

Secondly, do I have to stick to a strict regime as to how I build up the
layers? I was just thinking of simply piling in layers of stuff as and
when I harvested crops throughout the season , maybe throw in some grass
cuttings from home, maybe throw in paper from the shredding machine,
maybe throw in some straw if it available.

Do I have to add accelerators? Do I have to add lime? Do I have to turn
it? Do I add worms? Do I have to pee on it LOL!!

Making compost seems to have become such a scientific skill that I am
now quite wary of even starting to do so, lest I end up with some smelly
sickly sludge that it no good for anything.

Ed


Just dump it in a pile and keep it damp. Does not matter whether you
layer it or otherwise.

It's really not rocket science. g

I personally use construction grade giant trash bags. Fill them and
leave them open at the top. I let them sit for a year or so.

Makes great compost.


A simple alternative is to dig a small trench. Put your kitchen
scrapes into it, and then cover it back over.
--

Billy
Bush and Pelosi Behind Bars
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KVTf...ef=patrick.net
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0aEo...eature=related
  #24   Report Post  
Old 02-08-2008, 11:25 PM posted to uk.rec.gardening,rec.gardens,rec.gardens.edible
Ed Ed is offline
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Posts: 259
Default Compost Making. Utterly Confused!!

On 02/08/08 15:12, David Hare-Scott wrote:
"Ed" ex@directory wrote in message
...
I took on an allotment plot earlier this year, and quickly cleared half
of it to grow at least some crops this season whilst I intensively
double-dig and clear the other half. All of that is going well.

So, now I want to make a compost bin. Eventually I plan to have 3.

I have scavenged 4 pallets each of which is 3ft x 4ft which I intend to
use to build a box that is 3ft square and 4 ft high. One of the sides
will be loosely (but securely) tied in so that it is removable for access.

But what to do next? I have read so much here and on google that I am
utterly confused.

Firstly, should I line the box with something like lino or old carpet in
order to keep the heat in or leave it as it is to allow for aeration?


Depends on temperature.

Secondly, do I have to stick to a strict regime as to how I build up the
layers?


You can but it isn't absolutely essential


I was just thinking of simply piling in layers of stuff as and
when I harvested crops throughout the season , maybe throw in some grass
cuttings from home, maybe throw in paper from the shredding machine,
maybe throw in some straw if it available.


Sounds OK to me

Do I have to add accelerators?


not unless you want it to go fast

Do I have to add lime?


it will degrade quite well without it, you may want to lime your garden as
compost comes out slightly acidic but it depends on your soil and overall
conditions how important this is

Do I have to turn
it?


Only if you want it to work at maximum speed

Do I add worms?


no they will find there own way there

Do I have to pee on it LOL!!


no but it is a useful thing to do with that resource

Making compost seems to have become such a scientific skill that I am
now quite wary of even starting to do so, lest I end up with some smelly
sickly sludge that it no good for anything.

Ed


Calm down it is not such a big deal. You can try to be super scientific but
if you are not it will still work but take longer.

David


hey David.


you give good practical advice. I think I go with wot u say.

Thanks,,
Ed xxx

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Old 03-08-2008, 05:54 AM posted to uk.rec.gardening;,rec.gardens;,rec.gardens.edible
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Posts: 27
Default Compost Making. Utterly Confused!!

Ed,

To answer some of your questions:

You want to have a natural air flow through the pile, so don't line it
with anything.

Most important is to keep the pile moist. Dry piles don't go anywhere.

Certain things can add to the speed of the processing. One of these is
to chop up everything as fine as you can. I take leaves and grass that
have been run through a lawn mower. Straight whole leaves tend to pack
together and slow things down. You can add an accelerant, like some
fertilizer, but it is not absolutely necessary. I try to alternate the
layers of the pile with green (i.e. grass) and brown (leaves). Turn the
pile ( I try and do this at least once a season ) putting the dry
unprocessed material on the bottom and the dark processed matter, on
top. Water tends to settle to the bottom and that's where you want to
assist the parts of the pile that are not quite cooked yet.


Sherwin



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Old 03-08-2008, 11:24 AM posted to uk.rec.gardening;,rec.gardens;,rec.gardens.edible
Ed Ed is offline
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Posts: 259
Default Compost Making. Utterly Confused!!

On 03/08/08 04:54, Sherwin wrote:
Ed,

To answer some of your questions:

You want to have a natural air flow through the pile, so don't line it
with anything.

Most important is to keep the pile moist. Dry piles don't go anywhere.

Certain things can add to the speed of the processing. One of these is
to chop up everything as fine as you can. I take leaves and grass that
have been run through a lawn mower. Straight whole leaves tend to pack
together and slow things down. You can add an accelerant, like some
fertilizer, but it is not absolutely necessary. I try to alternate the
layers of the pile with green (i.e. grass) and brown (leaves). Turn the
pile ( I try and do this at least once a season ) putting the dry
unprocessed material on the bottom and the dark processed matter, on
top. Water tends to settle to the bottom and that's where you want to
assist the parts of the pile that are not quite cooked yet.


Sherwin


Thanks Sherwin. That is very clear advice.

Ed
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Old 06-08-2008, 05:11 PM posted to uk.rec.gardening;,rec.gardens;,rec.gardens.edible
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Posts: 71
Default Compost Making. Utterly Confused!!

On Fri, 01 Aug 2008 13:15:40 -0500, Omelet
wrote:


I have a compost bucket in the kitchen. Food leavings (other than corn
husks and cobs) never go in the kitchen trash. I don't like smelly trash
cans. The small container for food scraps is covered and emptied more
regularly.


Mine go thru the ultimate composters, chickens and pigs. Pity you
can't find them for $19.95 on late night tv.



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