"Chris" wrote in message
...
On Jun 15, 12:32 am, "Dioclese" NONE wrote:
"Eigenvector" wrote in message

. ..

A couple questions about my compost piles (plural) if you will.

How often do you water them? I've noticed that with all the heavy rain
I've been getting lately that the clippings have composted rather
quickly
and into some rather nice soil. All that makes me wonder if I'm not
watering the piles enough - as in I don't letting rain do that. I do
turn
my compost piles, that's why I have two.

How long would you expect a tree branch to take to degrade? Normally I
don't put wood in with my compost, but the occasional fallen limb (less
than 3/4" diameter) makes it in there. But some of those limbs have
been
in there for a couple years without any outward indication of
decomposition - even when surrounded by fully decomposted grass,
dandilions, and shrubs.

Such branches, if hardwood, can be used for kindling instead. Kindling
should be kept very dry. Just another way to reduce petroleum product
usage. That is, BBQ starting fluid.
--
Dave

Petroleum products are fossil fuels. That refers to the fact the
source of fossil fuels is plant matter from the Carboniferous era.

Burning wood has a really high carbon footprint- higher than natural
gas, I bet.

Better to let it decompose slowly and keep the carbon sequestered for
as long as possible.

Chris

You may be right "green-wise".

Its quite common here in S. TX for people to use the same old charcoal
briquet BBQ pit. Most use excess amounts of lighter fluid to light off the
briquets, if they aren't using the matchless type of briquet. That was some
coaxing from my part to use available kindling instead.

Living in an all-electric home, and the natural external temperature being
usually high, I find it more efficient not to cook in the house. Eating out
is usually expensive at the very least, not including the carbon produced by
the automobile to get the place and home again, and money out pocket to pay
for that gasoline. I have free access to oak cut to proper length for a BBQ
pit, and kindling. Weighing the fact that the AC electric to carry off the
kitchen stove heat and stove electric both provided by a coal-fired
electrical plant against my burning oak is nulled out in terms of carbon.
Plus the fact I don't have pay for that electricity as a result as I'm not
using it.

I am inclined to use the kitchen stove in the winter for obvious reverse
reasons as the external temperture is adequate to make use of it, and help
heat the house.
--
Dave