will i just be able to use a normal bin and put grass cutting and that stuff and get compost out?

Findlay Tulloch writes:

will i just be able to use a normal bin and put grass cutting and that
stuff and get compost out?

No, probably not.
The compost should be in contact with the ground.

As for lawn clippings, the best thing to do with them is leave
them on the lawn.

Saves you taking the grass to the compost pile, making compost
then spreading it on the lawn.

--
Dan Espen

On Fri, 22 Jun 2012 20:16:26 +0000, Findlay Tulloch wrote:

will i just be able to use a normal bin and put grass cutting and that
stuff and get compost out?

What is a "normal bin"?

--

Travis in Shoreline Washington

On Fri, 22 Jun 2012 17:56:53 -0400, Dan Espen wrote:

Findlay Tulloch writes:

will i just be able to use a normal bin and put grass cutting and that
stuff and get compost out?

No, probably not.
The compost should be in contact with the ground.

Not true.

As for lawn clippings, the best thing to do with them is leave them on
the lawn.

Saves you taking the grass to the compost pile, making compost then
spreading it on the lawn.

Agreed.



--

Travis in Shoreline Washington

Findlay Tulloch wrote:
will i just be able to use a normal bin and put grass cutting and that
stuff and get compost out?

Yes but it will be too small to heat up so you will be doing cold composting
which is slower but works fine in the end. It will also have the
disadvantage that you cannot turn it easily. Make sure it doesn't get too
wet or it will go anerobic and stink. When it is full where will you put
your plant waste until the process is complete? Usually people have 2 or 3
heaps or bins. I don't know why you would put grass clippings in it.

David

On Jun 22, 4:16*pm, "David Hare-Scott" wrote:
Findlay Tulloch wrote:
will i just be able to use a normal bin and put grass cutting and that
stuff and get compost out?

Yes but it will be too small to heat up so you will be doing cold composting
which is slower but works fine in the end. *It will also have the
disadvantage that you cannot turn it easily. *Make sure it doesn't get too
wet or it will go anerobic and stink. *When it is full where will you put
your plant waste until the process is complete? *Usually people have 2 or 3
heaps or bins. I don't know why you would put grass clippings in it.

David

But you DO need to keep it moist. To expedite the process, nurseries
sell "compost starter". Anybody know what's in it?

Also, for climates or areas that don't have a lot of deciduous trees,
we don't get dead leaves in the autumn. So grass clippings are
necessary; maybe not tons, but at least some.

Whatever you do, refrain from using pine, etc. needles. I put in a
lot from the (whatever) in front of my house, and they just sat there.

I highly recommend keeping chickens whereever you can pen them up.
Years after the last one went to that great henhouse in the sky, the
soil back there is still so fertile, you just put in the seed and jump
back.

HB

(This is mild climate; So. Calif coastal)

Travis writes:

On Fri, 22 Jun 2012 17:56:53 -0400, Dan Espen wrote:

Findlay Tulloch writes:

will i just be able to use a normal bin and put grass cutting and that
stuff and get compost out?

No, probably not.
The compost should be in contact with the ground.

Not true.

Well, can't think of a better way to get the earthworms and other
creepy crawly stuff in there.

Yes I know some people use those rotating drums.
Some people even put up walls and fences.

I learned from my mom and for me the compost pile will remain
just that. A pile of stuff that breaks down and makes good dirt.

--
Dan Espen

Higgs Boson wrote:
On Jun 22, 4:16 pm, "David Hare-Scott" wrote:
Findlay Tulloch wrote:
will i just be able to use a normal bin and put grass cutting and
that stuff and get compost out?

Yes but it will be too small to heat up so you will be doing cold
composting which is slower but works fine in the end. It will also
have the disadvantage that you cannot turn it easily. Make sure it
doesn't get too wet or it will go anerobic and stink. When it is
full where will you put your plant waste until the process is
complete? Usually people have 2 or 3 heaps or bins. I don't know why
you would put grass clippings in it.

David

But you DO need to keep it moist. To expedite the process, nurseries
sell "compost starter". Anybody know what's in it?

I sprinkle a little dirt on the pile every few inches of added material, which I
believe inoculates the new addition with need bacteria. I have found that this
helps avoid uncomposted mats of material which used to occure since I do not
"turn" the pile.