I have three 55 gallon plastic barrels w/ lids in which I drilled multiple 1/8” holes all over them for plenty of air flow. Over the years of my compost practice, I have noticed that if I place the right amount of nitrogen (greens) in my barrels with the (browns) carbon materials, I have never needed to add any water to them! In the end, my compost is a nice fluffy, black and earthy smelling humus with loads of worms all throughout! By the way: the more worms you have, the more worm castings as well! 😉👍 I grow BIG here! 😁
I tried for four years before I was satisfied I was composting the right way. It isn't perfect compost but it sure broke down in a few months and it certainly boosted the fall or winterized beds. My garlic and asparagus beds are buried in several inches of it this winter. I look forward to next spring and composting again.
1 our biggest adjustments was increasing the size of the pile. We had small piles and they never got hot. We start piles that our at least 4×4×4. It's made a huge difference. 1 small tool that makes a huge difference is a manure or hay fork for turning pile. Takes way less time and is much better on my back !!
In my garden there is thousands of #CompostWorms at work and several big compost piles, mostly from horse manure. As a biologist I published scientific research: A large workforce of Eisenia fetida worms speeds the composting process up for months. No need for turning it myself. Hi from Germany.
From this tutorial now I realize it was all the manure added to compost that ruined my second year garden. It actually made the soil appear dry. More thank yous.
One of the most helpful composting videos I've seen, thank you! I actually started my FIRST successful hot compost pile this fall :) Been turning it every 7-14 days (what a workout! phew...), and adding a little green material each time. So far, so good! I hope I'll have something amazing to fertilize my garden next spring.
I did that all summer in the insane heat! But wow, so worth it! Layered -Grass clipping, bio char, manure that set for 3 months , shredded paper, wet each layer. Tarped it, flipped it in 4 days, rewet it added more to layers retarped and flipped every 2 days. Was decomposed in about 2.5 weeks. But 95 and humid out. I was soaked from sweat! 🤣 But it turned out great.
Steps to compost. 1. Accept that it takes time, is a function of what you have to put into it, and depends on the time of the year (rain fall and heat) 2. Learn what are greens (nitrogen) and browns 3. Make a pile (don't worry about the size, you can even do it in a can - just make sure it can get oxygen) 4. Wait --- you can turn it from time to time to give more oxygen, but you don't have to and you can do it too much too! 5. Adjust - slow and no real smell, add more green; smells bad, add more brown; very dry, add water -- should just be moist; 6. Be patient and you will have good compost --- once you get going you will only need it to top off your beds once or twice a year anyways Tip, if you are just starting and have a new pile, throw in handful of organic fert. The nitrogen will kick start it and many organic ferts have beneficial bacteria added that will aid. Tip, if you already have compost, leave a little bit when you start your new pile --- same reason as the last tip. Lastly --- just relax! Everyone I ever knew that had trouble with compost was because they made it too hard!
Something different that seems to work for me, you want many of the same bacteria in a compost pile that you do in a healthy aquarium, so I use some aquarium water from water changes sometimes to moisten the compost pile. It seems to give it a bit of a kickstart. I wouldn't use any water from a tank that I was treating for any disease, most aquarium meds contain a lot of copper that you may not want in your compost.
Thank you so much for this!! I have been composting for almost 2 years and I never really fully understood it until now. I’ve been trying to get it right and I’ve been trying to incorporate it into my backyard garden. You are amazing For giving us the knowledge and helping soil become better. I applaud you! 🌏🌱🌻
I’ve gotten to the point that most of my beds are compost now. Took about 4 years. All my large potted plant pots I half fill with semi broken down compost each spring then fill with reconditioned soil to grow in. I’m at the point I just fill my compost and let it go for a few months at least. mostly because I’m tired of impatiently waiting for it to be ready. The watched pot syndrome. So now I’m putting my energy elsewhere. In fall is my big pileup of materials and those larger pots of soil to layer with. By spring I start all over again. In spring I think all told I may buy 6 or 8 bags of soil to have just in case. Sometimes I buy it just to mix in with the compost but probably don’t need it. Great explanation of the differences in material and how it breaks down for our specific needs. Very helpful. Thanks Luke
I'm using Animal manure, now I'm starting to think differently, I thought pure goat manure is perfect enough but now I've learned a lot and I'll change my way of composting , thanks so much🙏🙏
Really appreciated all this info! My grandparents were dairy farmers and grew everything!🤗 they taught me and my cousins so much and the way, my papaw would compost, has kept me scratching my head for years cause I just couldn’t get the out turn that he always did. Wishing he was still here to continue his teachings has been my thought for years now but you certainly hit on some keys points that’s jogged my memory and I’m very thankful, I watched! Many blessings to you and your family throughout the holidays! Thanks again!🤗👊
I use a lot of food scraps in my compost and leaves. think the key of my compost breaking down in 1-2 months like Luke said, is turning it. I turn my compost every few days in the summer and less often in the winter.
Luke I have watched MANY composting videos but YOURS was the best! Explaining things I was doing, bit need to do better to get compost faster than a year! Great information
Great information. Did it the lazy way last Fall in big piles of leaves and greens without turning and got tons of amazing compost but a year later. Now thinking of speeding up for spring compost.
Great video again Luke. Like you , I like the hot compost method which I successfully proceeded to accomplish in spring and fall. Around my place without needing to go far-no more than 2 or 3 blocks away- I can get more dead leaves than one would know what to do with. With so many trees lining the sides of the streets I was able to prepare next spring’s hot compost pile. I will also venture to try -at least that’s the plan- to mulch up leaves and place in a black bag to do a winter compost. Will be my very first try at it so there’s a little bit of a ‘’ here goes’ kind of thing that will be going on hoping it will work out well.
Thank you!! It was so easy to understand, and you answered all my questions. I have 1 tumbler and 2 (15 gal) grow bags that I'm using to compost (I'm renting and don't have space) and it has been a little overwhelming to say the least. Now I realized that my compost is more carbon based and understand that it will take longer...Wich is fine I don't have to stress so much😂 Thanks again!
Great & simple explanation , my problem is giving my piles the attention they needed. I need to restart a couple of piles, with leaves falling ,here in south now & some hay left over from feeding stock for freezer. Thanks for sharing & to all have a Blessed Thanksgiving.
I feel the same way about being outside for vitamin D anytime I can and I live in south-central Indiana. Every opportunity I have to be out in my gardens and compost piles and such ❤ gonna have several more days of nice Temps here , yay! Great video ty Luke . I don't worry about nitrogen when composting on the soil, worms and microbes will take care of it all
I know the areas in my yard where I can bank piles of leaves and I rake them up add them to my finished compost and the best time of year is the beginning I only add the compost on top to prevent my bank from blowing away when it really goes crazy is when I start adding grass clippings and the air temperature starts warming up
I compost and use leaves, old plants, coffee grounds, kitchen scraps and ground up egg shells. I bury the food scrapes, egg shells & coffee grounds in the dirt and about 2 weeks the scrapes are gone. My compost has lots and lots of earth worms. The leaves and old plants take a little longer to break down. I turn this pile over weekly and water. I keep them separated from the food scrapes side until it breaks down, then I add the leaves and old plants to the food scraps side. I break down my leaves really fine with a edger and break or cut up the old plants. My goal is to have my compost break down quicker so I can use it. Not sure if this is the correct way but it's my way. Doing it this way, does my compost have more nutrients or is it a good growing medium? Should I let the leaves break down with the food scraps or continue to keep them separate?
This was great - I've been composting for years but you've finally turned on the light bulb that explains why I haven't been getting the results I want and why my soil compacts so much. Thanks Luke!
Great info. I have a compost tumbler. It was a bday gift. I've been adding food scraps grass clipping, chopped up dried fall leaves. I also added worms. It was going just fine, until we experienced our first sub freezing temp. I can feel the inside of the tumbler is more solid and heavier.I do spin the tumbler once or twice a week. Should I be concern?
Great video. Making good compost is almost as satifying as growing plants. Question, what is the white stuff forming on the leaves. Is my compost too hot and its killing the bacteria, or is too anaerobic? I have a good mix of 1/4 grass clippings kitechen and garden waste for greens and 3/4 sticks, cardboard and leaves.
While I do not know exactly what it is (and there is a fascinating discrepancy of opinion to be found online), I think it is just a normal by-product and means that the compost is doing just fine - at least in my piles, the white stuff shows up when the compost is not done hot composting and then disappears in the finished product. Although in one pile, I did have too many matted leaves (I think) that were not mixed well with grass clippings that were too dry, and the entire mixture turned into a hard, white sheet in the middle of the pile (though I assume it will be gone as well now that I broke it up and turned the pile).
The white threadlike material is mycelium, the vegetative part of fungus breaking down the woody bits and facilitating mycorrhiza and is a very good thing for a healthy compost. Good job!
Look into vermicomposting. No turning required. But it does have a bit more initial investment. Need to buy either red worms or European nightcrawlers, North American nightcrawlers won't work.
Hello, thank you for your videos. I just started composting I have some boards on top of my compost is that ok. Also, should I water my compost. Thanks
Thanks so much Luke! I'm probably way overthinking this but quick question.. my compost pile is directly next to our garage that just had the roof replaced. Although no building materials got in it, a lot of saw dust from treated wood did make its way to the pile. I've been debating disposing of it and starting over or trying to maybe flush it out. Any advice? If I do dispose of it, can I transfer the worms in it to a new compost bin? Thanks so much! My husband and I purchased seeds last year and are looking forward to finally getting to plant them at our new home!
I try to rake leaves into piles when the wind is calm I inadvertently rake piles of grass with that I water the piles of leaves to stick them together and weigh them down to prevent them from blowing away I'll throw grass on top like paper mache and I work the piles where the wind blows usually near the edge of my property. Once the time is right without trying to waste my energy I'll rake up the piles then add previous compost on top in my designated area at this time of year it's so dry nothing really holds together and most of it just blows away and with all the trees by me there'd plenty of leaves so I usually wait until I stop getting leaves on fresh raked lawn
Thanks Luke. Great video. What about if you have a rotating barrel? I cannot have an open file file compost where is love. Should I add water to it since it is closed on top?
Love learning about composting… I have been covering my compost bin with a plastic cover in the winter since I don’t turn it in the cold months to help with heat retention and a consistent moist level… does that make sense or not
I have been making compost for the last few years and have been adding fresh compost every year to my beds. I usually make it with grass, vegetable scraps, cuttings from the garden, cardboard and newsletter. My question is can I have been putting too much fresh compost on as the last two years my onions and beetroot have not grown very big.
Can I compost if I never have kitchen scraps to add to it? I have pine needles galore and grass clippings plus poplar/oak leaves depending on the time of year.
Central Texas, here! Greens come from kitchen scrap and lawn clippings; browns is mostly oak leaves(live oak). Seems to me, these oak leaves NEVER break down. I know broad leaf oaks( red or white oak) break down quickly. Live oak leaves have sat in a pile for over 6 years unchanged. Any help?
My 800 square foot garden has become overgrown with California grass which can grow 8-10 feet tall. As I am cutting it down and digging up the roots I am filling a massive hole 🕳 created by my 30 banana trees. Can these weeds be composted? The banana trees ate my soil but then composted really well. I live on Oahu.🏝🌊🌋
Anaerobic bacteria and fungi will harm the plants. If you want to build a high fungi compost and not have to turn it, ever, then look into making a Johnson-Su bioreactor. If you are wanting to learn more about the microbiology, then search up videos with Dr. Elain Ingham. She is a life long soil biologist who explains very well how increasing good fungi in the soil will remove the need to add fertilizers and reduce the need for watering.
Hey Luke, I was hoping your video would be about composting in cold weather since we're heading into winter now. It's surprising you still have such warm weather there, but what do you do when your weather goes down to freezing like 20's and 10's degrees? Currently I have my compost in two metal containers and they are at around 70-90 F degrees which means nothing is decomposing. I'm in a urban area I don't have chicken to help out and I don't use manure, I have my green and brown materials in 50/50 ratio, the materials aren't the the issue, but the weather is the issue. I'm thinking of covering the containers with blankets or something but I'm not sure even then the compost can heat up. If you can share how you compost in winter, that would be a plus. Thanks.
Come on guys. If you pile any organic materials in a reasonably sized heap, just on the ground, it will break down. That's life. Dead things break down. You don't need containers and you don't have to turn them over. Just give the heap a sprinkle in very hot weather. Urine is also a good additive. I've never done that but I know others who do. A more convenient and easier thing to do by guys I'm thinking. In a few months, remove the top stuff, put it aside, grab the lovely stuff underneath, put the top stuff back and continue to put new stuff on top. Don't forget, the bigger the heap, the more heat it will generate and the faster it will break down. It's not rocket science
Does your compost become dormant during the winter months? At times here in Ohio I feel like the colder temps during the winter months slows things down immensely
My compost always seems to become dried out and almost like a flaky material. It doesn't seem to keep its color and hold the moisture. Does what your composting determine how much water you need? I usually compost grass, leafs, coffee grounds and maybe kitchen produce scraps.
Elaine Ingham once said that the heat was caused by reproductive activity… Think of what your room was like last time you engaged in reproductive activity and you’ll understand lol
I know the piles go anaerobic so every couple days I'll move my leaf piles toward my designated compost area and there will be light green fresh looking grass under it kind of like only the strong survive and kind of like vaccinating it that's like 100x worse than normal then rake it perfectly clean and brand new little spots
You didn't mention the temperature your pile has. Also, sounds like you run your carbon through a food processor to accelerate it's breakdown, if you're just using but a 5:1 ratio. So, at what temps do anaerobic bacteria reach? My pile maintains an average of 160° F. Is there any way it could be anaerobic? It never smells like ammonia though, so I think it's working well. No turning involved. No inoculation necessary. Just rich nitrogen and whatever carbon is laying around. And the earthworms love it, not necessarily the intense heat but the outer fringe, like a vacation resort to them! Giving Thanks for all. Peace
So WHAT do you do with all of your kitchen scraps? I was looking into composting as a way to utilize my kitchen scraps, but if they aren’t ideal, or you have too many do you throw them in the trash?
I don’t flip in the winter because there are good worms in my heap. They are lethargic so I guess when I flip in the winter I interrupt their hibernation. I’m guessing though.
Question I keep rabbits as pets a flemish giant and we just rescued a silver fox rabbit. We use litter boxes for them since they are in the house 365. We use equine pine pellets from (TS) for their bedding. Would it work for brown material and the urine in it be good for the nitrogen?
I have three 55 gallon plastic barrels w/ lids in which I drilled multiple 1/8” holes all over them for plenty of air flow. Over the years of my compost practice, I have noticed that if I place the right amount of nitrogen (greens) in my barrels with the (browns) carbon materials, I have never needed to add any water to them! In the end, my compost is a nice fluffy, black and earthy smelling humus with loads of worms all throughout! By the way: the more worms you have, the more worm castings as well! 😉👍 I grow BIG here! 😁
I have the same setup and it's incredibly fast!
I tried for four years before I was satisfied I was composting the right way. It isn't perfect compost but it sure broke down in a few months and it certainly boosted the fall or winterized beds. My garlic and asparagus beds are buried in several inches of it this winter. I look forward to next spring and composting again.
1 our biggest adjustments was increasing the size of the pile. We had small piles and they never got hot. We start piles that our at least 4×4×4. It's made a huge difference. 1 small tool that makes a huge difference is a manure or hay fork for turning pile. Takes way less time and is much better on my back !!
In my garden there is thousands of #CompostWorms at work and several big compost piles, mostly from horse manure. As a biologist I published scientific research: A large workforce of Eisenia fetida worms speeds the composting process up for months. No need for turning it myself. Hi from Germany.
From this tutorial now I realize it was all the manure added to compost that ruined my second year garden. It actually made the soil appear dry. More thank yous.
One of the most helpful composting videos I've seen, thank you! I actually started my FIRST successful hot compost pile this fall :) Been turning it every 7-14 days (what a workout! phew...), and adding a little green material each time. So far, so good! I hope I'll have something amazing to fertilize my garden next spring.
I did that all summer in the insane heat! But wow, so worth it! Layered -Grass clipping, bio char, manure that set for 3 months , shredded paper, wet each layer. Tarped it, flipped it in 4 days, rewet it added more to layers retarped and flipped every 2 days. Was decomposed in about 2.5 weeks. But 95 and humid out. I was soaked from sweat! 🤣 But it turned out great.
Steps to compost.
1. Accept that it takes time, is a function of what you have to put into it, and depends on the time of the year (rain fall and heat)
2. Learn what are greens (nitrogen) and browns
3. Make a pile (don't worry about the size, you can even do it in a can - just make sure it can get oxygen)
4. Wait --- you can turn it from time to time to give more oxygen, but you don't have to and you can do it too much too!
5. Adjust - slow and no real smell, add more green; smells bad, add more brown; very dry, add water -- should just be moist;
6. Be patient and you will have good compost --- once you get going you will only need it to top off your beds once or twice a year anyways
Tip, if you are just starting and have a new pile, throw in handful of organic fert. The nitrogen will kick start it and many organic ferts have beneficial bacteria added that will aid.
Tip, if you already have compost, leave a little bit when you start your new pile --- same reason as the last tip.
Lastly --- just relax! Everyone I ever knew that had trouble with compost was because they made it too hard!
Something different that seems to work for me, you want many of the same bacteria in a compost pile that you do in a healthy aquarium, so I use some aquarium water from water changes sometimes to moisten the compost pile. It seems to give it a bit of a kickstart. I wouldn't use any water from a tank that I was treating for any disease, most aquarium meds contain a lot of copper that you may not want in your compost.
Thank you so much for this!! I have been composting for almost 2 years and I never really fully understood it until now. I’ve been trying to get it right and I’ve been trying to incorporate it into my backyard garden. You are amazing For giving us the knowledge and helping soil become better. I applaud you! 🌏🌱🌻
I’ve gotten to the point that most of my beds are compost now. Took about 4 years. All my large potted plant pots I half fill with semi broken down compost each spring then fill with reconditioned soil to grow in. I’m at the point I just fill my compost and let it go for a few months at least. mostly because I’m tired of impatiently waiting for it to be ready. The watched pot syndrome. So now I’m putting my energy elsewhere. In fall is my big pileup of materials and those larger pots of soil to layer with. By spring I start all over again. In spring I think all told I may buy 6 or 8 bags of soil to have just in case. Sometimes I buy it just to mix in with the compost but probably don’t need it. Great explanation of the differences in material and how it breaks down for our specific needs. Very helpful. Thanks Luke
I'm using Animal manure, now I'm starting to think differently, I thought pure goat manure is perfect enough but now I've learned a lot and I'll change my way of composting , thanks so much🙏🙏
I have two piles, 1 with wood chips and another with manure, greens and browns. In spring I'm mixing both piles.
Really appreciated all this info! My grandparents were dairy farmers and grew everything!🤗 they taught me and my cousins so much and the way, my papaw would compost, has kept me scratching my head for years cause I just couldn’t get the out turn that he always did. Wishing he was still here to continue his teachings has been my thought for years now but you certainly hit on some keys points that’s jogged my memory and I’m very thankful, I watched! Many blessings to you and your family throughout the holidays! Thanks again!🤗👊
Best explaination I have heard without overcomplicating it ❤
I use a lot of food scraps in my compost and leaves. think the key of my compost breaking down in 1-2 months like Luke said, is turning it. I turn my compost every few days in the summer and less often in the winter.
This is a wonderfully helpful video--such a clear description of the composting process and purposes. Thank you for providing this information, Luke!
Thanks for the compost lesson! Much appreciated.
Luke I have watched MANY composting videos but YOURS was the best! Explaining things I was doing, bit need to do better to get compost faster than a year! Great information
Great explanation, thanks Luke.
Loved this complete explanation. A lot of help!
Great information. Did it the lazy way last Fall in big piles of leaves and greens without turning and got tons of amazing compost but a year later. Now thinking of speeding up for spring compost.
Great video again Luke. Like you , I like the hot compost method which I successfully proceeded to accomplish in spring and fall. Around my place without needing to go far-no more than 2 or 3 blocks away- I can get more dead leaves than one would know what to do with. With so many trees lining the sides of the streets I was able to prepare next spring’s hot compost pile. I will also venture to try -at least that’s the plan- to mulch up leaves and place in a black bag to do a winter compost. Will be my very first try at it so there’s a little bit of a
‘’ here goes’ kind of thing that will be going on hoping it will work out well.
Thank you!!
It was so easy to understand, and you answered all my questions. I have 1 tumbler and 2 (15 gal) grow bags that I'm using to compost (I'm renting and don't have space) and it has been a little overwhelming to say the least. Now I realized that my compost is more carbon based and understand that it will take longer...Wich is fine I don't have to stress so much😂
Thanks again!
“#1. There is no failure with composting.” The people are running amok over composting. 😂 Good video, gardening leader. Thank you!
Thanks Luke for this very informative and helpful video on composting, So easy to understand, much appreciated.
Great & simple explanation , my problem is giving my piles the attention they needed. I need to restart a couple of piles, with leaves falling ,here in south now & some hay left over from feeding stock for freezer. Thanks for sharing & to all have a Blessed Thanksgiving.
Very helpul, thanks.
Aw Poo! You just reminded me to turn the compost! 😆
All the same -
Love and blessings! 💜
Excellent video. You have an amazing way of explaining things. Thanks
thanks for a very scientific approach to such thing as a compost 🙂
I feel the same way about being outside for vitamin D anytime I can and I live in south-central Indiana. Every opportunity I have to be out in my gardens and compost piles and such ❤ gonna have several more days of nice Temps here , yay! Great video ty Luke . I don't worry about nitrogen when composting on the soil, worms and microbes will take care of it all
Also, I throw a small tree branch in here and there to let air in 😉
Breaking the twig increases the surface area by twice the cross section, not doubling it, but it does increase regardless.
Lovely information here! I appreciate it! Composting makes a whole LOT more sense now!
Great information! Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for this amazing Video. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
Thank you Luke. Great information! I watched the video twice. Happy Thanksgiving.
Excellent. So helpful. Well done.
Great explanation... one that I can understand! Thank you.
I know the areas in my yard where I can bank piles of leaves and I rake them up add them to my finished compost and the best time of year is the beginning I only add the compost on top to prevent my bank from blowing away when it really goes crazy is when I start adding grass clippings and the air temperature starts warming up
This was extremely helpful. Thank you.
I compost and use leaves, old plants, coffee grounds, kitchen scraps and ground up egg shells. I bury the food scrapes, egg shells & coffee grounds in the dirt and about 2 weeks the scrapes are gone. My compost has lots and lots of earth worms. The leaves and old plants take a little longer to break down. I turn this pile over weekly and water. I keep them separated from the food scrapes side until it breaks down, then I add the leaves and old plants to the food scraps side. I break down my leaves really fine with a edger and break or cut up the old plants. My goal is to have my compost break down quicker so I can use it. Not sure if this is the correct way but it's my way. Doing it this way, does my compost have more nutrients or is it a good growing medium? Should I let the leaves break down with the food scraps or continue to keep them separate?
Wow T-shirt in Michigan in November! ENJOY! Great info in this video. Thanks 😊
I use the drain pipe with holes in the centre of the pile to add air.
Nice pile of compost Luke , thanks for the reminder I have to get outside and turn my pile, happy thanksgiving to you and family.
Thanks Luke, I used to be a 3 year composter , I'm learning... thanks
Great advice, Luke!
Thanks man.
This is so helpful, thank you! I've been wanting to start composting on this scale, but I didn't know where to start
Good one Luke. Well explained.
Thanks for sharing such helpful information
This was great - I've been composting for years but you've finally turned on the light bulb that explains why I haven't been getting the results I want and why my soil compacts so much. Thanks Luke!
Thank you! Great info!
Great info. I have a compost tumbler. It was a bday gift. I've been adding food scraps grass clipping, chopped up dried fall leaves. I also added worms. It was going just fine, until we experienced our first sub freezing temp. I can feel the inside of the tumbler is more solid and heavier.I do spin the tumbler once or twice a week. Should I be concern?
Super explanation Luke.
I don’t mean to be a stickler put cracking a stick in two does not double the surface area. You crack me up 😂
Great information thank you
I like your compost screen tumbler, do you have a source for the screen tumbler?
I second this
Great video. Making good compost is almost as satifying as growing plants. Question, what is the white stuff forming on the leaves. Is my compost too hot and its killing the bacteria, or is too anaerobic? I have a good mix of 1/4 grass clippings kitechen and garden waste for greens and 3/4 sticks, cardboard and leaves.
While I do not know exactly what it is (and there is a fascinating discrepancy of opinion to be found online), I think it is just a normal by-product and means that the compost is doing just fine - at least in my piles, the white stuff shows up when the compost is not done hot composting and then disappears in the finished product. Although in one pile, I did have too many matted leaves (I think) that were not mixed well with grass clippings that were too dry, and the entire mixture turned into a hard, white sheet in the middle of the pile (though I assume it will be gone as well now that I broke it up and turned the pile).
The white threadlike material is mycelium, the vegetative part of fungus breaking down the woody bits and facilitating mycorrhiza and is a very good thing for a healthy compost. Good job!
I'm constantly adding to my compost though. I guess I should do 2. Let's one compost while I have one that I can keep adding to
Soooooo good!!! Thank you!
Thank you Luke!Now if I only had a strapping young man to turn my piles for me :-). Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
T
Look into vermicomposting. No turning required. But it does have a bit more initial investment. Need to buy either red worms or European nightcrawlers, North American nightcrawlers won't work.
Very good information thanks for doing what you do.
Really great video Thanks
Hello, thank you for your videos. I just started composting I have some boards on top of my compost is that ok. Also, should I water my compost. Thanks
Thanks so much Luke! I'm probably way overthinking this but quick question.. my compost pile is directly next to our garage that just had the roof replaced. Although no building materials got in it, a lot of saw dust from treated wood did make its way to the pile. I've been debating disposing of it and starting over or trying to maybe flush it out. Any advice? If I do dispose of it, can I transfer the worms in it to a new compost bin? Thanks so much! My husband and I purchased seeds last year and are looking forward to finally getting to plant them at our new home!
I am trying to finish one for spring. I live in CT - should I and/or do you cover your piles for the winter? I was thinking of putting a tarp on it.
I try to rake leaves into piles when the wind is calm I inadvertently rake piles of grass with that I water the piles of leaves to stick them together and weigh them down to prevent them from blowing away I'll throw grass on top like paper mache and I work the piles where the wind blows usually near the edge of my property. Once the time is right without trying to waste my energy I'll rake up the piles then add previous compost on top in my designated area at this time of year it's so dry nothing really holds together and most of it just blows away and with all the trees by me there'd plenty of leaves so I usually wait until I stop getting leaves on fresh raked lawn
Thank you!
Thanks Luke. Great video. What about if you have a rotating barrel? I cannot have an open file file compost where is love. Should I add water to it since it is closed on top?
Love learning about composting… I have been covering my compost bin with a plastic cover in the winter since I don’t turn it in the cold months to help with heat retention and a consistent moist level… does that make sense or not
"Bacteria in your compost...check it out..." brought in some Bill Nye vibes lol
I have been making compost for the last few years and have been adding fresh compost every year to my beds. I usually make it with grass, vegetable scraps, cuttings from the garden, cardboard and newsletter. My question is can I have been putting too much fresh compost on as the last two years my onions and beetroot have not grown very big.
If the right amount of water is important how do you deal with rain? Do you cover your pile day to day?
Can I compost if I never have kitchen scraps to add to it? I have pine needles galore and grass clippings plus poplar/oak leaves depending on the time of year.
Central Texas, here! Greens come from kitchen scrap and lawn clippings; browns is mostly oak leaves(live oak). Seems to me, these oak leaves NEVER break down. I know broad leaf oaks( red or white oak) break down quickly. Live oak leaves have sat in a pile for over 6 years unchanged. Any help?
Do you have a video on how you made your compost bin? Thank you!
My 800 square foot garden has become overgrown with California grass which can grow 8-10 feet tall. As I am cutting it down and digging up the roots I am filling a massive hole 🕳 created by my 30 banana trees. Can these weeds be composted? The banana trees ate my soil but then composted really well. I live on Oahu.🏝🌊🌋
Anaerobic bacteria and fungi will harm the plants. If you want to build a high fungi compost and not have to turn it, ever, then look into making a Johnson-Su bioreactor. If you are wanting to learn more about the microbiology, then search up videos with Dr. Elain Ingham. She is a life long soil biologist who explains very well how increasing good fungi in the soil will remove the need to add fertilizers and reduce the need for watering.
Hey Luke, I was hoping your video would be about composting in cold weather since we're heading into winter now. It's surprising you still have such warm weather there, but what do you do when your weather goes down to freezing like 20's and 10's degrees? Currently I have my compost in two metal containers and they are at around 70-90 F degrees which means nothing is decomposing. I'm in a urban area I don't have chicken to help out and I don't use manure, I have my green and brown materials in 50/50 ratio, the materials aren't the the issue, but the weather is the issue. I'm thinking of covering the containers with blankets or something but I'm not sure even then the compost can heat up. If you can share how you compost in winter, that would be a plus. Thanks.
Come on guys. If you pile any organic materials in a reasonably sized heap, just on the ground, it will break down. That's life. Dead things break down. You don't need containers and you don't have to turn them over. Just give the heap a sprinkle in very hot weather. Urine is also a good additive. I've never done that but I know others who do. A more convenient and easier thing to do by guys I'm thinking. In a few months, remove the top stuff, put it aside, grab the lovely stuff underneath, put the top stuff back and continue to put new stuff on top. Don't forget, the bigger the heap, the more heat it will generate and the faster it will break down. It's not rocket science
Does your compost become dormant during the winter months? At times here in Ohio I feel like the colder temps during the winter months slows things down immensely
Thank u for the explanation
My compost always seems to become dried out and almost like a flaky material. It doesn't seem to keep its color and hold the moisture. Does what your composting determine how much water you need? I usually compost grass, leafs, coffee grounds and maybe kitchen produce scraps.
id just put a tarp over it after making it moist
Is vermicompost or worms castings a good growing medium?
Elaine Ingham once said that the heat was caused by reproductive activity… Think of what your room was like last time you engaged in reproductive activity and you’ll understand lol
I know the piles go anaerobic so every couple days I'll move my leaf piles toward my designated compost area and there will be light green fresh looking grass under it kind of like only the strong survive and kind of like vaccinating it that's like 100x worse than normal then rake it perfectly clean and brand new little spots
Nice
You didn't mention the temperature your pile has. Also, sounds like you run your carbon through a food processor to accelerate it's breakdown, if you're just using but a 5:1 ratio. So, at what temps do anaerobic bacteria reach? My pile maintains an average of 160° F. Is there any way it could be anaerobic? It never smells like ammonia though, so I think it's working well. No turning involved. No inoculation necessary. Just rich nitrogen and whatever carbon is laying around. And the earthworms love it, not necessarily the intense heat but the outer fringe, like a vacation resort to them! Giving Thanks for all. Peace
chia sẻ hya
Happy Thanksgiving Luke and all
Breaking an 8" long 1/4" diameter stick in 1/2..... does not double the surface area.
It does double the number of pieces and the number of ends.😁
I was going to say the same thing! Breaking the stick in half only doubles the surface srea of the ENDS, not the surface of the entire stick🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🙃
So WHAT do you do with all of your kitchen scraps? I was looking into composting as a way to utilize my kitchen scraps, but if they aren’t ideal, or you have too many do you throw them in the trash?
Keep it simple. Compost it all.
I don’t flip in the winter because there are good worms in my heap. They are lethargic so I guess when I flip in the winter I interrupt their hibernation. I’m guessing though.
I don't any seeds that you can buy "retail" are GMO?
Question I keep rabbits as pets a flemish giant and we just rescued a silver fox rabbit. We use litter boxes for them since they are in the house 365. We use equine pine pellets from (TS) for their bedding. Would it work for brown material and the urine in it be good for the nitrogen?
This guy needs a pitchfork and is that a chili roaster in the background? 🌶
Go wormcastings ! 😊
You mentioned coffee ground what about cacao grounds? Would that be good for composting
I’ve heard the cacao grounds are fine to compost. I’m not particularly sure though.
Does your compost pile kill the grass seed?
New subscriber over here ✋🏻.
Thanks for all the information!!
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