On 9/1/04 3:35 PM, in article , "Dave_R."
wrote:

On the topic of compost, does anyone have a good suggestion as to how
to deal with a lot of grass cuttings? I'm told (& have seen) that if I
put too much grass on the compost heap I end up with a dark, soggy,
smelly mass. What is the best suggestion for diluting the grass?

Hi Dave
I have experienced the same problem. You ask for 'the best' suggestion.
Well, my best suggestion comes in twos or more.
Firstly, keep your compost covered, keep the rain out. I put an old
rubber mat directly on top of the grass (to keep the heat in) and above that
a piece of plywood to keep the rain water off. On top of that I put a sheet
of black plastic that covers the complete bin top to bottom...I want to keep
the heat in!!
Now, after you have figured all that out...this is the key...add a
manure of some kind. This year I used dry chicken manure that I keep in a
barrel beside my bin.
So it goes like this:
I cut the grass, when the catcher is full, I empty it onto the pile then
sprinkle a dry chicken manure on top. I cut the grass and when the catcher
is full I dump it into the bin then add a sprinkling of dry chicken manure
on top. So it is freshly cut grass...chicken manure....freshly cut grass,
chicken manure. When all the lawn is cut put a rubber mat (old carpet with a
rubber base works well...anything like that, that will seal the top to keep
the heat in...my rubber mat came from an old Toyota Corolla Station Wagon
(Saloon, I think you call them).
There are two, no three, reasons why I use dry chicken manure.
1. It is easy to 'sprinkle' and spread, more or less, evenly.
2. Adding water to chicken manure (or any manure) releases the nitrogen
as ammonia...you can smell it as it goes on it's merry way and leaves your
garden (where you want and need it). For compost piles, use the dry stuff,
it carries much more nitrogen that is needed for the decomposition of grass
and other 'stuff'. But you need to cover it with a rubber mat to retain 'the
good stuff' (nitrogen) and keep the heat in.
3. My third reason for using dry chicken manure is because it is
available...thank you Lord!
I used to have several piles of grass clippings that would break down
eventually. This year using the above method I have only 1/2 a pile.
Dave, I know that this message is not totally organized and/or in a
logical sequence. Most of what you need to know is there to the best of my
knowledge and no you do not have to buy a Toyota to get a rubber mat to
cover your compost bin...just use your mothers!
Cheers,
Gary
Fort Langley, BC
Canada