On Fri, 30 May 2003 15:51:20 -0500, Carl e Roberts wrote:
I'm sure this is not the first time this subject has been discussed but
since I am new to this newsgroup I'll post it for my benefit and other
newbies...
I have two compost piles "working". I am using two plastic "rings" about
3' in diameter and about 3' high. I built the piles yesterday using grass
clippings,kitchen scraps, dirt and a few leaves. About every 10" or so I
added 34-0-0 and watered it in. I did what I knew to do but I would like
to know more about composting and the "how to's". How often should I turn
these piles and any advice,FAQ's, or URL's would be appreciated. BTW I see
alot of grass clippings bagged up in my neighborhood-should I be
collecting these for future use? thanx for your input..
A compost pile is a community of living creatures that are eating your
yard waste. They have certain needs that need to be meet such as air,
water and heat.
Air. Flipping your pile with a fork will help to break up the pile and
infuse air into it. Flip as often as you like. Once or twice a week would
do fine imho.
Water. Your pile should feel like a wrung out spounge. Too wet and your
pile will smell bad and too dry and it just won't compost.
Heat. Moderate heat is recommended. Piles that are in heavy shade don't do
as well due to the coldness.
When you build your pile, you should try to use equal parts green to
brown. This mean you need to add a carbon source to your pile for best
results. Good carbon sources are dried leaves, straw & hay or even
shredded newsprint (or credit card applications!!!). Add a 3 inch layer of
green material, then a 3 inch layer of brown material... so on and so
forth.Sticks and twigs can be used, but it may take years for the wood to
break down.
Before I took the neighbors clippings I'd ask if they have been using
chemicals such as weed and feed...ect. If so, then you would not want to
compost this. The finished compost would harm your garden with high
concentrations of weed killers. You should encourage your neighbors to
multch their lawn and not to fill the land fill with grass.
http://www.mastercomposter.com/
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