I watched your video a few days ago! Every time I started a compost pile it never, I mean never heated up. I tired to heat up my compost pile more times that I care to admit or count. I follow your method step by step and HOLY COW for the first time EVER MY PILE IS HOT. I am so thankful to you! A MILLÓN THANKS. I have a hot compost. So happy 😁 temperature 110 after just one day!!!
I live in an extremely hot country and we have frequent fires in the surrounding countryside. Sometimes they last as long as 4 days and we frequently worry for our homes. My concern is if the compost heap can catch fire ?
This is how my husband did it. I remember calling him at work screaming, "WHAT DID YOU PUT IN THE COMPOST PILE?" It is on fire, it is really smoking. He explained that that is good and asked me to turn it and sprinkle a little water on it. So I did and I have never seen such big worms, nightcrawlers. Wow, I won't have to buy any when I go fish again. That was probably 40 years ago and my husband has passed away. But this still makes me smile, I really thought the heat would kill the worms. 😂 😂
That is a great story - thank you for sharing. I think the worms just 'run' from the heat. They don't really seem to move in until the pile has gone cold.
@@growitbuildit You are an achiever my friend. First thing I did the next day is re-pile my own dirt. I collected all the scraps of last week and tomorrow I'll work it all in. All this work around my compost made me rethink my garden and opened up a couple of ideas for next year. So thanks again, my Winter is going to be full of work and I love it.
That is excellent. I'm glad I could inspire you. Make sure your pile is large enough to heat up. In Winter in zone 6, instead of making piles 3' diameter I'll make them 5-6' diameter.
I've been composting for over 30 years, and I agree with everything you showed us, especially when you added finished compost to your new pile.Many people don't mention this step. Very well done!
Yes indeed. Doesn't' it? Like a reminder pinch to the pile what to do. We apply the same knowledge to our home vinegar that the matured vinegar helps to get matured the new one. So lovely nature. Thank you @growitbuildit
Adding worms to compost piles is another good idea. When I uncover a worm elsewhere, I often give it a new home in my compost. For a worm that's a bit like going to heaven.
I am the proud owner of a indoor worm-composter. In my flat on the 6th floor of an apartment building. Never let reality get in the way of your dreams.
Congratulations! I recent moved from a fairly large corner lot to a patio home. I have ended up downsizing my garden to herbs that do well in containers, and without much sun.
Its been a few years i have a hobby of watching gardening videos . to my complete honesty i have watched a ton of videos on composting but never figured out how to do it exactly . This video was 20 mins of pure golden knowledge , its the first time now that i have complete idea of how things need to be done to start composting. This is really a appreciable video .I gained a lot of knowledge from this one .
Agreed! I prayed that the Lord would lead me to where I needed to be to know how to do this. Ty for the video. I finally feel like it makes sense and I can do this without going broke.
Just got my first wheelbarrow full of compost after watching this video last year! We’ve watched tons of videos and tried different things and as you said- this is the most simple and easiest way to do it! Your patience will pay off!
This was probably the BEST video I've seen on composting. Thank you not only for your laid-back perspective but also for taking the time to explain all the things in simple terms. We have a compost pile in our tiny backyard, and I'm excited to finally start using the compost and perhaps starting a new pile soon!
Thank you for this down to earth simple explanations. I buy my ? Good soil from the stores & trash my kitchen wastes, news & brown paper e t c not knowing I’m trashing very useful ingredients for my garden This has been very educative. Bravos & keep composting & gardening. Pls if I want acidic soil for citrus & blue berries What do I need to acidify the soil. Thanx
searching up youtube for composting tutorials all i got was complex methods. Now your video showed up weeks later without me searching for it up. This is honestly what i was trying to find simple, reliable and working. Thank you so much.
Great Video! Have you considered starting a small worm farm to turn that compost into black gold?? (AKA Worm Castings) I raise millions of worms for fertilizer for my garden, and to teach others how to care for them :) Worms are the secret to any great garden :)
(To the tune of row, row, your boat) Worms, germs, indulge yourselves, In kitchen-scrap cuisine, Routinely, routinely, routinely, routinely, I mix the brown and green. This is the kind of thing that pops into my head when I should be doing something else, lol
You are welcome Quintella! It is doable. Grass is the key, but you just need to get that critical mass of greens be it coffee grounds, saving scraps - someone even said they buy alfalfa pellets from Tractor Supply. You will really learn by doing. I find that I just have to manage a pile rather than adhere to any specific recipe. Generally if it doesn't heat up you just need to get more greens.
This is the best video of composting or anything garden related that I have ever seen. Very informative without over complicating it. Thank you for this!
This video is, by far, the best on composting. This is my first year doing compost. I didn't want to spend any money on dirt for my garden. I did everything you said to start my pile and I just turned it this morning...I had lots of steam!!! I'm soooo flipping excited!!! I watch and re-watch this video and keep following your steps. THANK YOU!!!
Thank you! I'm very happy you got a hot pile! It's a great feeling isn't it? Now just keep an eye on it and make adjustments as necessary. You're going to learn really quick how to manage the pile and keep it going. Experience is the best teacher, it never lies. Congrats!
Wow, this has got to be one of the best how-to composting vids on YT because it is not overly-complicated and makes it seem very very easy which it actually is! Thank you! From what I gather, the amount of time you spend getting air into it and making sure its moist is the main factor that determines how fast it goes, that and the types of materials like Im sure sawdust and grass clippings goes way faster than cardboard boxes and whole vegetables! I live two blocks from a grocery store dumpster so I get all sorts of thrown away produce which tends to take quite awhile to fully break down. I should build some kind of shredder.
Hi Will - the main factors are the four ingredients: green-brown-water-air, and keeping them balanced. You need all four to have the 'good' bacteria decompose your pile. As a pile decomposes, it compresses on itself, squeezing out room for air. That is why you must turn the pile, to keep it aerated. With grass, you have to do this every 24-48 hours. With different green materials, like vegetables, you can turn the pile weekly. The other factor is the size of your pile. A large pile insulates itself from the outside temperature, so the center of the pile can get hot. Make your pile 3-4' diameter, and you should be good. And vegetables break down really fast. Having the grocery store dumpster close should mean you can make tons of compost!
@@growitbuildit Rookie never-composter here. I have a question in regards to your reply here. You said that a large pile insulates itself and the center can get hot...and to only make the pile 3-4' in diameter. I thought heat is what you want? Since that's the case, before your info here, I would have thought that a larger pile would be better...the bigger the better. Or am I misunderstanding, and you meant that the center of a larger pile can get TOO hot? If this is the case, what's too hot?
Hi Adam, 3-4' is a good size to get a hot pile. In Winter my piles are about4' wide by 6' long. There are limits though, if you use grass watch the temperature. If it gets to 160 or more you should separate it into two smaller piles and add brown. Think of the unlucky farmer who bales their hay when wet - large bales can catch on fire. The wet part on the inside hot composts and can ignite dry parts.
In a pinch, lawnmower can be used to shred composting material. I use it to shred leaves before throwing them on the pile. If you have leafy vegetables, celery leaves and similar things just throw them on the ground. Then put a bag on your lawnmover and mow all greens. I do not recommend using this method to prepare more solid stuff! 😁
I sprinkle a handful or two of soil after each time I add kitchen veg scraps, and so long as a variety of plant material is used. The compost breaks down really quickly, as the Soil adds micro organisms that help speed up the process.
So glad you mentioned cardboard! I've watched so many videos that call for leaves, twigs and branches. I was feeling like that would be hard to come by in my garden and it was discouraging. I have plenty of greens and now I know I have browns too. Amazon sends plenty of that! Thanks so much. I'm subscribing because you actually made this video interesting, helpful and informative. Wish me luck ☺ No music and straight to the point as well! Thanks for that too 👏👏👏👏
You are welcome Michelle - what you saw is what I do. Best of luck, and your timing is good - there are going to be lots of Halloween pumpkins to gather up for a 'green' source. Although cooler outdoor temps do slow things down. But remember, given enough time everything composts!
@@growitbuildit Curious, since I don't have a source for browns much other than cardboard, do you think it will go well with just that? I can get tons, but something like sawdust I don't have a source for.
@denainwyo cardboard works fine. Soak it in water before adding it, as it can repel water a bit when dry. I find a great way to process it is by cutting strips with a very sharp knife.
Probably the best instructional video I've ever seen on composting. I make the mistake of not turning the pile daily with grass clippings and get the huge clumps of melted stinky grass. You have clarified the steps that make it easy to go forward to make the best compost possible. Thank you!
That mud sludge is amazing for keeping soil compact and from the soil eroding over time. Also people that have ponds love that stuff for their bog ponds. It’s not worthless if it turns into that bio mud! That bio mud is gold!!!
OK I think my mistake was not putting holes in the bottom of my plastic bin so the water got in. I had added leaves grass clippings chicken manure and some paper and it is a gross mess. I was wondering whether to just shovel it into the landscape bin and just get rid of it, but I guess it can be transformed? Plus it was too heavy for me to turn with a shovel, so gotta get a pitchfork, I see.
I was lucky enough to do composting in St Lucia back in the 1990's.... tropical compost takes only 3 months!!!...18 months for compost to be usable here in Nova Scotia, Canada.
Similar experience here. Warm and cozy Portugal, really fast and easy. Move up, in latitude, to the cold and gray Norway... Nah, none of the above! LOL :-)
Highly informative and good common sense composting methods. My only difference is I never save my grass clippings, I mow/mulch them right back onto the lawn, however I have millions of leaves fall down on me through out the year so the worms love them too!
I’ve felt overwhelmed about starting a compost pile for ages but look forward to starting one now. You explained it so well and kept it super simple. Thank you!
Great video for the average gardener. I find so many composting "experts" tend to get snooty and snippy when you ask basic questions. This is just a neighbor giving some friendly advice. Well done. 💪
I'm very new to all this, glad I found this video! This made everything make sense and makes me feel like this is something I can definitely do! Thank you so much for posting and for answering questions in the comments. I've saved this video and will share to any of my family/friends who ask/want to start a compost pile. Thanks again!!!!
Thank you. This is the first video I’ve seen that made me feel comfortable to try and compose. Everyone else made it seem so difficult I wasn’t going to give it a try.
Amazing video. Completely new to composting but not to UA-cam explainers and you should have a lot more subscribers! Clear, sensible and realistic advice and great footage to support. Thank you!
Thank you. I don’t think our ancestors made it complicated because they couldn’t and that wasn’t the purpose. It was always use what you have and make it work
Thank you! I had "Analysis Paralysis" last year and gave up on composting! Your video was the first one I came to this year and I am not watching any other video! Thank you again!
Great video! You seem to be a composting scholar! Alternatively, I have a much simpler method that produces excellent results without the shoveling workout. I simply pile up my mulched leaves and grass clippings in the fall. To this I add old ashes from my outdoor wood stove. I also add chicken manure and vegetable scraps from cooking. I just pile it up and turn it over with my loader maybe once a year. I use my cardboard for mulching around trees. I put it around the trees and put wood chips on top to keep weeds down. Thanks for your video!
Im gonna start my first attempt at it and Im so excited I couldn't have watched a better video, I was so excited when I realized you're actually gonna follow up with us on that pile and see the whole process Its amazing im so grateful that you showed us that And that Last thing you said about going out and trying ❤️❤️ Thanks a lot!!
This video was wonderfully helpful! I am a beginner at composting and this gave me all the confidence I need to make my own! Bravo, keep up the great work!! 🎉
Excellent Alexa! Good luck starting your pile. Don't forget to make it bigger right now because it is Winter. Piles that normally heat up at 3' diameter need to be 5-6' diameter to get hot in cold temperatures.
I just want to say thank you so much! I'm getting ready to start my first compost, and am happy to hear the words "keep it simple". Great job with explaining the whole process, and can't wait to try it!
G'Day Mate, My Grandparents told me over 50 years ago to plant potatoes when you have a lot of clay in your soil. They help break the clay down and if you have the time, cultivate them for at least 12 months. I hope this is of help to someone. Cheers, Cookeydownunder.
OP is absolutely right. More than once I noticed the same. The change is quite remarkable. In fact nowadays I like to use potatoes to "build" soil, mostly on a non dig situation! Work wonders with so little work! ;-)
Cookey’s idea is solid. However, using a product called Wakefield Biochar will do a much better job. It’s organic. Has humic and fulvic acids. Also…most key…the biochar brings carbon back INTO the soil. 1 treatment and it reaches over a foot deep. I live in zone 4, Midwest. We grow in clay 😂😂😂
Thank you for making this video. It's my first time even wanting to try composting and you have explained it thoroughly and in a simple way!! Looking forward to making my first pile :)
I've tried composting many times and was never successful. I watched your video and followed your instructions and have a successful pile for the first time ever. Thank you!!
Thank you so much I am in NYC-small backyard gardener with squirrels, raccoons, and a few cats who'll be looking for food in cold weather. I avoided making a compost pile due to them. Now I know I really do not need food scraps as coffee grounds will be OK for the organics, end of season vegetable and tree fall leaves. An unused trash can with holes drilled bottom sides will be my pile container. So appreciate this info.
You are welcome. Please know that trash-cans usually aren't big enough to get hot though. But don't worry, it will still make compost, but will just take a bit longer. Since your in NYC, hit up all those coffee shops. I've built hot piles just using 15-20 bags of used grounds from Starbucks.
Amazing video. I've been researching on how to compost since forever but it sounds so complicated that I just kept delaying it. But this video shows it doesn't have to be so complicated and it's encouraging me to start right now. Thank you so much! I have a question. I live in Florida where there is a rainy season for a few months. How do I keep the pile from getting too wet and cold?
Hi Arwa - I'm in Pennsylvania and I never cover my piles. In my experience, piles generally have a great ability to absorb water. But I don't live with FL rain. I would probably try to secure some kind of roof structure that can keep rain out, but allow the pile to breathe. If you cover with a tarp you may get nasty surface mold develop. And it could be hazardous when removing the tarp as a spore cloud could release.
Take an all weather tent, some small poles and just construct a simple canopy for it. Either that or buy one from harbor freight or Amazon. Would let the air circulate without having a tarp lay completely on top of it
This was one of the first videos on composting that I could finally understand and feel confident to try again. You explained everything simple and perfect thanks appreciate this video and help
@@growitbuildit no pun intended?... :D Thanks for this! Just started a tiny compost pile because my kids suggested it after seeing the finger/waste we got when using our new juicer! Excited to try something new!
Cool Lisa! It's a good pun too! Know that you need a large pile for it all to get hot. So, it may take time, or even until Spring before you can get enough greens to get a hot pile. But you should keep doing it rather than throwing scraps to the landfill.
This worked awesome! Used a 3 x 3 double bin on the ground. Moved the pile out of bin on day 64 at 84°F to start another pile and noticed about a dozen worms. In the morning of day 73 (after about a 1" rain) we had a lot of mushrooms growing on the pile. I think they were Goldenhaired Inkcap. They only lasted a couple of hours. After some research, we learned this is a good thing. Would love to share a picture if there is a good way to do so. Thanks Joe. Very cool!
That is awesome Guy. Glad to hear it worked out well for you. Good work! If you want to send a pic, click on the 'about' tab on my channel, There will be a button to reveal an email address. Then you can send me a picture of it.
Wow! Great video. I never knew how fast and easy it was. All I really do is throw all kitchen scraps in the garden. Didn't realize you needed a ratio and all that. You know what I'll be doing this year!
I use exactly the same system and it works great. Usually I have 5 or 6 piles going at once. Also, from time to time I mix in just a small amount of more finished compost into the new pile, to introduce the new microbes to the all-u-can-eat 24/7 salad bar. Seems to help. ✌️🍎
Best video on composting, thanks! I was trying to figure out a bin not realizing I can do it on the ground. I’ve got 5 acres and no neighbors for half a mile. I’m going to do it just like this. Thanks!
@@growitbuildit thanks for responding! Do you still stir it up if you start it in the winter? I have a foot of snow still on the ground and will probably get my last batch of snow in April.
@@growitbuildit thanks for responding! Do you still stir it up if you start it in the winter? I have a foot of snow still on the ground and will probably get my last batch of snow in April.
I was in the same boat as many of the other comments. First video that has shown me a positive conclusion all the Amazon packages that arrive at my house. I also have access to pallets. Time to make some saw dust for my compost pile or build a dance floor. Thank you for this video!!!
I just found your channel a few days ago and I was so impressed with your content that I had to research your video library. Your recent video on winter composting got me excited about watching more of your tutorials. I was totally correct that you were going to be able to help me out getting started with my own composting and soil amending needs. Thanks for your advice and tips on creating great soil. I’m now going to watch other older videos to use as companion guides for a healthier garden area.
Excellent Robert - I'm glad you found my channel and that you are enjoying my videos. I may not produce as many as others, but I try to have them be relevant and useful and of high quality.
The simplicity in this is very beautiful. And very easy to watch. Thank you so much for making this! As soon as I saw the steam, I was sold! Way better than the other compost videos I've watched on UA-cam.
A little over a year ago, I got into wood working. I've always been the cook of the house and have been interested in learning how to grow my own food... I feel like this video was made for me. Thanks for all this great info. Between my sawdust, and our amazon boxes, I know I will always be able to produce enough brown material to go with my grass clippings. Thank you again for all this great info. I am not backed up to a forest though, I'm in Arizona. Should I consider buying a batch of worms to get things started?
Hi Chase - I wouldn't purchase or add any worms. When the pile is hot, there are no worms. So, if worms can't survive in AZ, then they are going to get cooked by your pile or the surrounding desert. Bacteria will break everything down. But in your situation, it might make sense to stop adding to the pile sooner. I stop adding once the pile is 75-90% done. You could probably stop much earlier, like 50% or so. Glad you like the video and good luck!
I just started doing my first proper compost and found it very informative. Before, we were just dumping kitchen waste and garden waste in one place without mixing and turning it. I hope I will be able to follow your method! Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us!
Thanks for replying to me. I am definitely going to try your formula. I know I'm regretting wasting all the material I have had over time that I could have used wished I had found you sooner lol. Thanks again.
Man... I just watched the progression of a pile of dirt for almost 20 minutes, and I had such a good time 🤭😍🥰. Thank you so much for all this clear and easy to understand information! You have such a pleasant voice to listen to and this process of using your kitchen scraps to 'do good' is mesmerising to me. You mentioned the species of worm that you have in your are, is that the 'most ideal' worm you want to have in your pile? Like, if I was to start hanging a bucket in a sunny place off my balcony, would that be a good addition to it, once the soil has ripened enough? Fascinating stuff, again, thanks for making this video 👏👏
Hi - the worm is an 'Asian Jumper' and is an invasive species. It is better if you don't have them around. Once they infest an area though, they will be there forever. For composting in a bucket on a balcony, it probably won't get hot because there isn't enough volume of material. But it will make compost, without worms, it will just take a bit longer. Keep it well aerated and you should be good to go.
Just bought my first house. Ive been so excited to stop piling my food scraps in the freezer to bring it to the local compost drop off every week. Thanks, so simple.
This was extremely helpful. I was going to lift it off the ground but after watching, I can see that that is not something I want to do. Composting seemed "big and scary" to me but you quelled my fears. I feel like I can do this! Thank you so very much.
This was so so helpful! I've watched so many videos to start me off on my compost journey, and its been a bit overwhelming. However, your video made me feel like I could do it!!
Best explanation I've seen and so natural like its meant to be from mother nature I'm a beginner but feel confident already from you guidance and awesome video ...thank you Joe
You are very welcome Wayne! It really is that simple - make a large pile (3' diameter) with greens/browns/moisture/air.....don't let grass mat-up, and keep it aerated/moist, and voila! You'll have compost in a couple months.
Thank you!! I have so many kitchen scraps and leftover plain boxes from my move that I don’t want to throw away. Plus, my “yard” around my tiny rental house has hard soil with clay, so this is EXACTLY what I need to have a better shot at growing things next year. Thank you for the detailed breakdown and demonstration!
We had a super compact clay soil for our yard, adding some gypsum dust and compost and tilling it in has worked fantastic for breaking it up and putting it back more towards loamy soil! Hope this helps! 😊
Finally an exact video on what I was looking for. Composting straight into the ground. 👍 something simple and not overly complicated that makes me ask more questions
I just got a compost tumbler and want to start my 1st recipe. This was a very easy to follow video with simple directions that I think I just might be able to do it! Thank you!!
You are welcome Cassandra. Just know that tumblers are often difficult, or cannot get hot due to them not being large enough. The pile size will determine if it heats up or not. But do not worry - it will still make compost! It will just take longer. The process is the same.
@@growitbuilditwould it be okay to make this in a raised garden box? Thinking of having one built for compost only. And wouldn’t it be smelly if left open?
It would be fine to do that. People make pallet bins all the time. I originally intended to do so,but never got around to it. After several successful piles I just figured it would one more thing to maintain
Hey I love the video! Just started my own pile in my backyard earlier today and I'm eager to see it go. You've made me realize I can just keep it in a pile, no need to keep it in a little wire mesh enclosed "pen" that I made for it. Also you made me realize turning is a lot more important than I realized... I planned on once a month turning it but every other day or every few days seems more appropriate. Great stuff! Thanks!
Hi Colter - congrats on getting started. The frequent turning is due to me constantly adding to it, which most people don't do. But also with grass clippings- it is extremely important. I've learned that as all this stuff breaks down, and particularly grass, it just sort of compresses on to itself. Eventually, no air will be present, and the anaerobic bacteria really will take over. If you use grass, pay close attention to the pile. If you see it start matting up, get after it and turn/separate it.
This content is really top shelf. Simple, to the point, yet effective. Idk why I’ve been overthinking this whole thing. 50/50 green brown is best advice. Love how you showed good examples and bad examples. No fancy compost bins. It all makes sense to me
As others have said, great video. You really took the voodoo out of the process. The biggest takeaway was how simple and fast it could be, provided you follow a few rules. I was always baffled by compost piles, based on my experience of dumping my leaves in the woods every fall. They take years to break down that way. That’s obviously not how it all works. 🤦♂️ Having a combination of well mixed green/brown makes a lot of sense now.
You are welcome Eric - I'm glad I could help you out. The key thing is keeping the 4 ingredients balanced, and making sure your pile is somewhat large (3-4' diameter). Then just manage the pile (proper moisture and aeration via mixing). That is really about it.
I watched your video a few days ago! Every time I started a compost pile it never, I mean never heated up. I tired to heat up my compost pile more times that I care to admit or count. I follow your method step by step and HOLY COW for the first time EVER MY PILE IS HOT. I am so thankful to you! A MILLÓN THANKS. I have a hot compost. So happy 😁 temperature 110 after just one day!!!
I like hearing this! Great work Nora!
I live in an extremely hot country and we have frequent fires in the surrounding countryside. Sometimes they last as long as 4 days and we frequently worry for our homes. My concern is if the compost heap can catch fire ?
@@angelaberni8873 no
@@angelaberni8873 we had a neighbour whose compost pile caught on fire, so I would say yes, it could happen. I think turning it daily would help.
@@karencameron6563 Please please please make a video of Flaming Compost Pile.
This is how my husband did it. I remember calling him at work screaming, "WHAT DID YOU PUT IN THE COMPOST PILE?" It is on fire, it is really smoking. He explained that that is good and asked me to turn it and sprinkle a little water on it. So I did and I have never seen such big worms, nightcrawlers. Wow, I won't have to buy any when I go fish again. That was probably 40 years ago and my husband has passed away. But this still makes me smile, I really thought the heat would kill the worms. 😂 😂
That is a great story - thank you for sharing. I think the worms just 'run' from the heat. They don't really seem to move in until the pile has gone cold.
OMG...normal voice (no annoying music), straight to the point, I had to double check that this video was made in 2020....LOL..great vid thank you!
You are very welcome!
Agreed. Classic and humble. Thanks. Excellent video.
Yes! 100% agree with you!
I figured it would take me nights to find a video I could use ...can't wait to explore this channel.
Right. No "hey UA-cam! Welcome to my 5 minute intro"
I never thought that by the end of my 30s, I would enjoy sitting on my couch at 11pm watching a dude pile up dirt.
I aim to please!
@@growitbuildit You are an achiever my friend. First thing I did the next day is re-pile my own dirt. I collected all the scraps of last week and tomorrow I'll work it all in. All this work around my compost made me rethink my garden and opened up a couple of ideas for next year. So thanks again, my Winter is going to be full of work and I love it.
That is excellent. I'm glad I could inspire you. Make sure your pile is large enough to heat up. In Winter in zone 6, instead of making piles 3' diameter I'll make them 5-6' diameter.
U good, iam 42 and feel the same. Friday 10:22pm haha
It must be a midlife thing because im 37 doing the same thing lol
I’m 25 years old, and absolutely geeking out over composting. No chance I would’ve seen myself doing this just a few years ago
It will become a way of life. Something that you just do, and you will never look at kitchen wastes the same way.
Does anybody know if I can use the fine pine flakes that I use in my chicken coop? I know the poop is good but I don’t know if the pine flakes are ok.
@cshula1 that's okay, dude here is using sawdust so it's still gonna be broken down by detrivore and others
Well done post! Plainly explained, no filler of the "me-me-me" stuff, no distracting music. Every bit was all meat. Thank you for this. VERY useful.
Thank you Trish! I'm very happy you enjoyed it and appreciate your kind words!
yes no distracting music, just the info! thanks♥
Agree
jUST the facts, ma'am! LOL
@@growitbuildit Does the compost need to be beat by the sun, constantly to become hot???
I've been composting for over 30 years, and I agree with everything you showed us, especially when you added finished compost to your new pile.Many people don't mention this step. Very well done!
Thank you so much Leonard!
Yes indeed. Doesn't' it? Like a reminder pinch to the pile what to do. We apply the same knowledge to our home vinegar that the matured vinegar helps to get matured the new one. So lovely nature. Thank you @growitbuildit
Adding worms to compost piles is another good idea. When I uncover a worm elsewhere, I often give it a new home in my compost. For a worm that's a bit like going to heaven.
@@Inkling777Love it! I've been doing the same and they just wiggle right in like Wow! I'm happy here. ❤
The #1 thing I'm stoked about once I eventually get out of these apartments and into a house with my own yard. It's gonna be such a mess.
Freeing yourself of an apartment is a great thing!
I am the proud owner of a indoor worm-composter. In my flat on the 6th floor of an apartment building. Never let reality get in the way of your dreams.
@@chaosengine4597 I love that and the quote.. you're inspiring me. It might just be my next excuse to splurge!
Congratulations! I recent moved from a fairly large corner lot to a patio home. I have ended up downsizing my garden to herbs that do well in containers, and without much sun.
@@chaosengine4597I love what you said, never let reality get in the way of your dreams. Thanks I needed that this morning.❤
Its been a few years i have a hobby of watching gardening videos . to my complete honesty i have watched a ton of videos on composting but never figured out how to do it exactly . This video was 20 mins of pure golden knowledge , its the first time now that i have complete idea of how things need to be done to start composting. This is really a appreciable video .I gained a lot of knowledge from this one .
Thank you - I'm glad I could help you out. If you're into composting vids - you should check out my Winter compost video.
I dont even garden YET and I know this is valuable infomation! Thank you.
Thank you Ebony! I'm very happy you found it helpful.
That was the first time I understood how to do this and I’ve been trying to learn for the past year. This was the only time it made sense. Thank you!!
You are very welcome! Glad I could help you out.
Thank you for your information I will try it soon
Same here. !!! So far the best video I've seen
Agreed! I prayed that the Lord would lead me to where I needed to be to know how to do this. Ty for the video. I finally feel like it makes sense and I can do this without going broke.
It should cost nothing but time and elbow grease!
Just got my first wheelbarrow full of compost after watching this video last year! We’ve watched tons of videos and tried different things and as you said- this is the most simple and easiest way to do it! Your patience will pay off!
That is awesome! Congrats Alice!
One of the few videos you don’t have to be reminded to give a “like.” The video is so good, you just give automatically.
Thank you!
This was probably the BEST video I've seen on composting. Thank you not only for your laid-back perspective but also for taking the time to explain all the things in simple terms. We have a compost pile in our tiny backyard, and I'm excited to finally start using the compost and perhaps starting a new pile soon!
Thank you Ashleigh! I'm very happy you found it helpful. Good luck!
I agree
Can compost be used directly under roots when you plant eg lilack or roses dahlias?
I agree!! This helped me more than any other video or article.
Thank you for this down to earth simple explanations. I buy my ? Good soil from the stores & trash my kitchen wastes, news & brown paper e t c not knowing I’m trashing very useful ingredients for my garden
This has been very educative. Bravos & keep composting & gardening.
Pls if I want acidic soil for citrus & blue berries What do I need to acidify the soil. Thanx
searching up youtube for composting tutorials all i got was complex methods. Now your video showed up weeks later without me searching for it up. This is honestly what i was trying to find simple, reliable and working. Thank you so much.
You are very welcome - good luck starting your first pile.
Easily one of the best compost "How To" videos I've seen.
Thank you sir!
Exactly! Thanks a lot!
Easily one of the clearest, best-explained videos I've come across explaining the process of composting to beginners like me. Well done, thanks!!
Thank you! Glad I could help you out!
Great Video! Have you considered starting a small worm farm to turn that compost into black gold?? (AKA Worm Castings) I raise millions of worms for fertilizer for my garden, and to teach others how to care for them :) Worms are the secret to any great garden :)
@@CaptainMattsWorms Captain Matt is the Real Deal. We are Worm People. Check us out
Hello does anyone here believe in Jesus?
Agreed!! Thank you so much 💚
This was so informative and on point. Wasn’t boring and you stayed in topic. Thank you!
Thank you Silvana!
Right!!
Absolute very best, straight-forward, easy method I've ever seen or used.
Tried and tested.
And worked a treat.
From a family of 8, Thankyou!! 😊
You are very welcome - good luck to your family's garden this Spring!
(To the tune of row, row, your boat)
Worms, germs, indulge yourselves,
In kitchen-scrap cuisine,
Routinely, routinely, routinely, routinely,
I mix the brown and green.
This is the kind of thing that pops into my head when I should be doing something else, lol
That's catchy!
❤
I'm going to have to write this one down
Your tutorial is so clear and to the point. Just started my heap and i needed to hear this. WOW this is an entire course in 1 video👋👋👋👍👍👍👍
Thank you Ilisapeci! That was my goal - to make a comprehensive video that covered everything you need to know, and nothing extra.
Thats what i was thinking!!
This was easy to understand and doable!! Thank you.
You are welcome Quintella! It is doable. Grass is the key, but you just need to get that critical mass of greens be it coffee grounds, saving scraps - someone even said they buy alfalfa pellets from Tractor Supply. You will really learn by doing. I find that I just have to manage a pile rather than adhere to any specific recipe. Generally if it doesn't heat up you just need to get more greens.
This is the best video of composting or anything garden related that I have ever seen. Very informative without over complicating it. Thank you for this!
Thank you so much! I'm very glad you enjoyed it and found it helpful.
This video is, by far, the best on composting. This is my first year doing compost. I didn't want to spend any money on dirt for my garden. I did everything you said to start my pile and I just turned it this morning...I had lots of steam!!! I'm soooo flipping excited!!! I watch and re-watch this video and keep following your steps. THANK YOU!!!
Thank you! I'm very happy you got a hot pile! It's a great feeling isn't it? Now just keep an eye on it and make adjustments as necessary. You're going to learn really quick how to manage the pile and keep it going. Experience is the best teacher, it never lies. Congrats!
it's not dirt. It's compost ;)
Wow, this has got to be one of the best how-to composting vids on YT because it is not overly-complicated and makes it seem very very easy which it actually is! Thank you! From what I gather, the amount of time you spend getting air into it and making sure its moist is the main factor that determines how fast it goes, that and the types of materials like Im sure sawdust and grass clippings goes way faster than cardboard boxes and whole vegetables! I live two blocks from a grocery store dumpster so I get all sorts of thrown away produce which tends to take quite awhile to fully break down. I should build some kind of shredder.
Hi Will - the main factors are the four ingredients: green-brown-water-air, and keeping them balanced. You need all four to have the 'good' bacteria decompose your pile. As a pile decomposes, it compresses on itself, squeezing out room for air. That is why you must turn the pile, to keep it aerated. With grass, you have to do this every 24-48 hours. With different green materials, like vegetables, you can turn the pile weekly.
The other factor is the size of your pile. A large pile insulates itself from the outside temperature, so the center of the pile can get hot. Make your pile 3-4' diameter, and you should be good.
And vegetables break down really fast. Having the grocery store dumpster close should mean you can make tons of compost!
@@growitbuildit Rookie never-composter here. I have a question in regards to your reply here. You said that a large pile insulates itself and the center can get hot...and to only make the pile 3-4' in diameter. I thought heat is what you want? Since that's the case, before your info here, I would have thought that a larger pile would be better...the bigger the better.
Or am I misunderstanding, and you meant that the center of a larger pile can get TOO hot? If this is the case, what's too hot?
Hi Adam, 3-4' is a good size to get a hot pile. In Winter my piles are about4' wide by 6' long.
There are limits though, if you use grass watch the temperature. If it gets to 160 or more you should separate it into two smaller piles and add brown.
Think of the unlucky farmer who bales their hay when wet - large bales can catch on fire. The wet part on the inside hot composts and can ignite dry parts.
@@growitbuildit Ahhh, that analogy made perfect sense...I grew up in hay country and saw hay fires way too regularly. Thank you sir!
In a pinch, lawnmower can be used to shred composting material. I use it to shred leaves before throwing them on the pile. If you have leafy vegetables, celery leaves and similar things just throw them on the ground. Then put a bag on your lawnmover and mow all greens. I do not recommend using this method to prepare more solid stuff! 😁
I sprinkle a handful or two of soil after each time I add kitchen veg scraps, and so long as a variety of plant material is used. The compost breaks down really quickly, as the Soil adds micro organisms that help speed up the process.
Add some more diversity, meat dairy oils and meat scraps
I’ve watched so many compost videos and this one is finally breaking down the actual materials are and what they do thank you!
Thank you Judith
So glad you mentioned cardboard! I've watched so many videos that call for leaves, twigs and branches. I was feeling like that would be hard to come by in my garden and it was discouraging. I have plenty of greens and now I know I have browns too. Amazon sends plenty of that! Thanks so much. I'm subscribing because you actually made this video interesting, helpful and informative. Wish me luck ☺
No music and straight to the point as well! Thanks for that too 👏👏👏👏
You are welcome Michelle - what you saw is what I do. Best of luck, and your timing is good - there are going to be lots of Halloween pumpkins to gather up for a 'green' source. Although cooler outdoor temps do slow things down. But remember, given enough time everything composts!
ua-cam.com/video/VCyNFTBss00/v-deo.html
@@growitbuildit Curious, since I don't have a source for browns much other than cardboard, do you think it will go well with just that? I can get tons, but something like sawdust I don't have a source for.
@denainwyo cardboard works fine. Soak it in water before adding it, as it can repel water a bit when dry. I find a great way to process it is by cutting strips with a very sharp knife.
@@growitbuildit Thank you so much for responding! Going to give it a shot.
This was the clearest and most concise presentation on composting. Definitely worth re-watching!
Thank you Don! I'm glad you found it helpful!
Probably the best instructional video I've ever seen on composting. I make the mistake of not turning the pile daily with grass clippings and get the huge clumps of melted stinky grass. You have clarified the steps that make it easy to go forward to make the best compost possible. Thank you!
You are very welcome - good luck on your next pile with grass!
Ok this is awesome!!! It’s onnnnnn for 2021!!! Thank you!!
You’ve nailed it...I’ve watched loads on this process as well as read lots but this is by far the best video summary. Thank you so much for sharing
Thank you Paul - that means a lot. I'm glad I could explain it clearly!
Same here. Best video I've watched. I subscribed.
That mud sludge is amazing for keeping soil compact and from the soil eroding over time. Also people that have ponds love that stuff for their bog ponds. It’s not worthless if it turns into that bio mud! That bio mud is gold!!!
I never thought of using it that way. Good tip.
OK I think my mistake was not putting holes in the bottom of my plastic bin so the water got in. I had added leaves grass clippings chicken manure and some paper and it is a gross mess. I was wondering whether to just shovel it into the landscape bin and just get rid of it, but I guess it can be transformed? Plus it was too heavy for me to turn with a shovel, so gotta get a pitchfork, I see.
This is the best simplest beginners compost video. Thank you!
Thank you so much!
I had no idea you could compost so quickly and I had no idea why my results were so poor! Thank you sir!
You are very welcome!
I was lucky enough to do composting in St Lucia back in the 1990's.... tropical compost takes only 3 months!!!...18 months for compost to be usable here in Nova Scotia, Canada.
@@duaneday5474 hello fellow Nova Scotian and yes true
Similar experience here. Warm and cozy Portugal, really fast and easy. Move up, in latitude, to the cold and gray Norway... Nah, none of the above! LOL :-)
I had no idea this can actually get smoked....thanks for simplifying this for us....
You are welcome!
Pure cow manure watch how quick it starts smoking
@@angelaprater2679 Wow...
It's not really smoke it's steam
I’ve just looked at more of your videos. They are all so good. I encourage anyone to explore this channel
Thank you!
Very simple. You're a great tutor with practical demonstration. God bless you
Thank you! I'm very happy you enjoyed it. Good luck starting your pile, and God bless you too.
Highly informative and good common sense composting methods. My only difference is I never save my grass clippings, I mow/mulch them right back onto the lawn, however I have millions of leaves fall down on me through out the year so the worms love them too!
I’ve felt overwhelmed about starting a compost pile for ages but look forward to starting one now. You explained it so well and kept it super simple. Thank you!
Thank you Jessica - I'm glad I could help you out. Good luck!
@Praise Jesus, Repent or Likewise Perish If you think this behavior will get more members into your Cult, you are mistaken, this is inappropriate.
As far as how to start a compost pile this is by far the best I've seen. No bs, and full of helpful info. Thanks for this!
You are very welcome Nick! Good luck starting your pile!
Keeping it on the ground is like havinga worm bin and compost pile in one..... Nice!
Exactly!
Omg. Thank you so much. I've been dying to just dump all my compost out on the ground 🙃. You rock 🎸 Sir!
You are welcome! It sure makes things simpler for me!
Great video for the average gardener. I find so many composting "experts" tend to get snooty and snippy when you ask basic questions. This is just a neighbor giving some friendly advice. Well done. 💪
Thank you Al!
I'm very new to all this, glad I found this video! This made everything make sense and makes me feel like this is something I can definitely do! Thank you so much for posting and for answering questions in the comments. I've saved this video and will share to any of my family/friends who ask/want to start a compost pile. Thanks again!!!!
Thank you Jay! I'm glad you found it helpful, and thank you for sharing it!
Yes this was the best video I’ve seen and it’s super easy to start. Got mine started right after I saw the video.
Thank you. This is the first video I’ve seen that made me feel comfortable to try and compose. Everyone else made it seem so difficult I wasn’t going to give it a try.
You are very welcome - good luck!
Amazing video. Completely new to composting but not to UA-cam explainers and you should have a lot more subscribers! Clear, sensible and realistic advice and great footage to support. Thank you!
Thank you sir! That is an excellent compliment, thank you.
Really like video. Keep it simple. Yep. Couldn't be explained any easier. Thanx!
Thank you. I don’t think our ancestors made it complicated because they couldn’t and that wasn’t the purpose. It was always use what you have and make it work
The very best compost DIY I've ever seen! Thank you for all the detailed instructions and tips.
Thank you so much David! I'm glad you found it helpful.
I love the way you use existing compost like a sour dough starter. Never heard of that before
Thanks you. I've just found it to be a good method to speed up the pile right after construction
Thank you! I had "Analysis Paralysis" last year and gave up on composting! Your video was the first one I came to this year and I am not watching any other video! Thank you again!
You are very welcome Kymberly! I'm glad it helped you - Keep it Simple!
Like all the other people, this is the BEST compost video I have seen. Thank you.
Thank you! Your words mean a lot. I really appreciate it and am happy you found the video helpful!
Great video! You seem to be a composting scholar! Alternatively, I have a much simpler method that produces excellent results without the shoveling workout. I simply pile up my mulched leaves and grass clippings in the fall. To this I add old ashes from my outdoor wood stove. I also add chicken manure and vegetable scraps from cooking. I just pile it up and turn it over with my loader maybe once a year. I use my cardboard for mulching around trees. I put it around the trees and put wood chips on top to keep weeds down. Thanks for your video!
THIS IS THE BEST INFORMATIVE VIDEO I HAVE EVER SEEN ABOUT MAKING COMPOST THANK YOU VERY MUCH
Thank you VERY MUCH for the kind words! Please share it to other gardeners!
Im gonna start my first attempt at it and Im so excited
I couldn't have watched a better video, I was so excited when I realized you're actually gonna follow up with us on that pile and see the whole process
Its amazing im so grateful that you showed us that
And that Last thing you said about going out and trying ❤️❤️
Thanks a lot!!
You are very welcome Sella - good luck!
Hands down one of the best most easiest and thorough compost videos I've seen! Thanks for this, you gained a follower❤
Thank you Candice! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
This video was wonderfully helpful! I am a beginner at composting and this gave me all the confidence I need to make my own! Bravo, keep up the great work!! 🎉
Excellent Alexa! Good luck starting your pile. Don't forget to make it bigger right now because it is Winter. Piles that normally heat up at 3' diameter need to be 5-6' diameter to get hot in cold temperatures.
@@growitbuilditplpp😊p😊
Me too !
Here we go! I have binged compost videos and after watching this one I started my pile. Lets see how this goes
I'm glad you found mine to be the best - and I wish you the best of luck!
@ thank you!
I just want to say thank you so much! I'm getting ready to start my first compost, and am happy to hear the words "keep it simple". Great job with explaining the whole process, and can't wait to try it!
You are very welcome Plaino! Good luck starting your pile!
One of the best compost how to's i've seen!
That's a big compliment man. Thank you!
This is THE BEST Compost video I’ve ever seen.
Thank you Lance! That really means a lot.
G'Day Mate, My Grandparents told me over 50 years ago to plant potatoes when you have a lot of clay in your soil. They help break the clay down and if you have the time, cultivate them for at least 12 months. I hope this is of help to someone. Cheers, Cookeydownunder.
Great and timely advice. Will give it a try!! Thanks.
I think it's the amount of digging you have to do to grow and harvest potatoes, and all the vegetation you dig back in, that really improves the soil.
Daikon radish would break clay soil.
OP is absolutely right. More than once I noticed the same. The change is quite remarkable. In fact nowadays I like to use potatoes to "build" soil, mostly on a non dig situation! Work wonders with so little work! ;-)
Cookey’s idea is solid. However, using a product called Wakefield Biochar will do a much better job. It’s organic. Has humic and fulvic acids. Also…most key…the biochar brings carbon back INTO the soil. 1 treatment and it reaches over a foot deep. I live in zone 4, Midwest. We grow in clay 😂😂😂
i come back to this video each year like a good friend. love this video and the reassuring voice.
Wow - thank you! Glad you are finding it as a good reference after all these years!
Thank you for making this video. It's my first time even wanting to try composting and you have explained it thoroughly and in a simple way!! Looking forward to making my first pile :)
You are welcome Kelly! Good luck to your first pile. Try to make it 3-4' diameter and you should be good
Same
I've tried composting many times and was never successful. I watched your video and followed your instructions and have a successful pile for the first time ever. Thank you!!
Now this is the kind of feedback I like to see! Nice work Ashley!
Great video, first time someone thoroughly explains without any complications. I feel encouraged to do my own compost now. Cheers mate, really helpful
You are very welcome Vitor! I am glad I could help you out.
Thank you so much I am in NYC-small backyard gardener with squirrels, raccoons, and a few cats who'll be looking for food in cold weather. I avoided making a compost pile due to them. Now I know I really do not need food scraps as coffee grounds will be OK for the organics, end of season vegetable and tree fall leaves. An unused trash can with holes drilled bottom sides will be my pile container. So appreciate this info.
You are welcome. Please know that trash-cans usually aren't big enough to get hot though. But don't worry, it will still make compost, but will just take a bit longer. Since your in NYC, hit up all those coffee shops. I've built hot piles just using 15-20 bags of used grounds from Starbucks.
This was really well-done! Thank you for presenting the process in such a clear and concise way. I can’t wait to get started!
You are very welcome Mariah! You're going to love making your own supply of free fertilizer!
Yes this a GREAT tutorial. The creator is a fantastic teacher in general. Nicely done indeed 👌🏻
Thank you! I'm glad you found this helpful.
No questions, additions, or corrections. I'm just feeding the algorithm monsters before tapping the thumbs up 👍 button.
Thank you - I appreciate it
This was insanely helpful. Thank you for putting your time into this, appreciate it!
Thank you Kat! I'm glad you found it helpful.
Amazing video. I've been researching on how to compost since forever but it sounds so complicated that I just kept delaying it. But this video shows it doesn't have to be so complicated and it's encouraging me to start right now. Thank you so much!
I have a question. I live in Florida where there is a rainy season for a few months. How do I keep the pile from getting too wet and cold?
Hi Arwa - I'm in Pennsylvania and I never cover my piles. In my experience, piles generally have a great ability to absorb water. But I don't live with FL rain.
I would probably try to secure some kind of roof structure that can keep rain out, but allow the pile to breathe. If you cover with a tarp you may get nasty surface mold develop. And it could be hazardous when removing the tarp as a spore cloud could release.
Take an all weather tent, some small poles and just construct a simple canopy for it. Either that or buy one from harbor freight or Amazon. Would let the air circulate without having a tarp lay completely on top of it
@@growitbuildit Thank you so much for your reply and suggestion. I have started the pile for now and will make canopy like structure over it.
@@jonathanyates5198 great suggestions. Thank you. I'll look into those options.
This was one of the first videos on composting that I could finally understand and feel confident to try again. You explained everything simple and perfect thanks appreciate this video and help
Thank you Aaron - I'm glad I was able to break it down well. Good luck!
@@growitbuildit no pun intended?... :D Thanks for this! Just started a tiny compost pile because my kids suggested it after seeing the finger/waste we got when using our new juicer! Excited to try something new!
Cool Lisa! It's a good pun too!
Know that you need a large pile for it all to get hot. So, it may take time, or even until Spring before you can get enough greens to get a hot pile. But you should keep doing it rather than throwing scraps to the landfill.
A very new to gardening and this is by far the most resourceful video I’ve found. Thank you for the straightforward explanations and advice!
Thank you Mike. Good luck starting your first pile.
This worked awesome! Used a 3 x 3 double bin on the ground. Moved the pile out of bin on day 64 at 84°F to start another pile and noticed about a dozen worms. In the morning of day 73 (after about a 1" rain) we had a lot of mushrooms growing on the pile. I think they were Goldenhaired Inkcap. They only lasted a couple of hours. After some research, we learned this is a good thing. Would love to share a picture if there is a good way to do so. Thanks Joe. Very cool!
That is awesome Guy. Glad to hear it worked out well for you. Good work!
If you want to send a pic, click on the 'about' tab on my channel, There will be a button to reveal an email address. Then you can send me a picture of it.
This was the BEST composting video I’ve come across! Thanks for putting everything in layman’s terms
You are very welcome Anthony!
Wow! Great video. I never knew how fast and easy it was. All I really do is throw all kitchen scraps in the garden. Didn't realize you needed a ratio and all that. You know what I'll be doing this year!
me too.
I am post 3 years - but could not leave w/o 👍🏾 and a big THANK YOU!!!! 🙏🏾 blessings
Thank you so much! I'm happy I could help you out.
I use exactly the same system and it works great. Usually I have 5 or 6 piles going at once. Also, from time to time I mix in just a small amount of more finished compost into the new pile, to introduce the new microbes to the all-u-can-eat 24/7 salad bar. Seems to help. ✌️🍎
It's an awesome system Bill
Bill, do you have rats ? I'm scared I'm going to have issue with them. Can I not throw in food at all ? Just green , brown and soil ?
@@matheya your food is green and he did throw in food scraps
One of the better compost videos!
Thank you Michael! It means a lot!
Best video on composting, thanks! I was trying to figure out a bin not realizing I can do it on the ground. I’ve got 5 acres and no neighbors for half a mile. I’m going to do it just like this. Thanks!
You are very welcome - this is the easiest way to do it. Make sure you make your pile extra large in the Winter!
@@growitbuildit thanks for responding! Do you still stir it up if you start it in the winter? I have a foot of snow still on the ground and will probably get my last batch of snow in April.
Zel, your reply got auto-deleted by youtube. I saw you replied but can't see your question. Can you ask it again in a new comment?
@@growitbuildit thanks for responding! Do you still stir it up if you start it in the winter? I have a foot of snow still on the ground and will probably get my last batch of snow in April.
I was in the same boat as many of the other comments. First video that has shown me a positive conclusion all the Amazon packages that arrive at my house. I also have access to pallets. Time to make some saw dust for my compost pile or build a dance floor. Thank you for this video!!!
Thank you! I'm glad I could help you out. Good luck!
I just found your channel a few days ago and I was so impressed with your content that I had to research your video library. Your recent video on winter composting got me excited about watching more of your tutorials. I was totally correct that you were going to be able to help me out getting started with my own composting and soil amending needs. Thanks for your advice and tips on creating great soil. I’m now going to watch other older videos to use as companion guides for a healthier garden area.
Excellent Robert - I'm glad you found my channel and that you are enjoying my videos. I may not produce as many as others, but I try to have them be relevant and useful and of high quality.
The simplicity in this is very beautiful. And very easy to watch. Thank you so much for making this! As soon as I saw the steam, I was sold! Way better than the other compost videos I've watched on UA-cam.
Thank you Zachary - I'm glad you found it helpful, as that was my intention! I like to keep things as practical as possible.
A little over a year ago, I got into wood working. I've always been the cook of the house and have been interested in learning how to grow my own food... I feel like this video was made for me. Thanks for all this great info. Between my sawdust, and our amazon boxes, I know I will always be able to produce enough brown material to go with my grass clippings. Thank you again for all this great info. I am not backed up to a forest though, I'm in Arizona. Should I consider buying a batch of worms to get things started?
Hi Chase - I wouldn't purchase or add any worms. When the pile is hot, there are no worms. So, if worms can't survive in AZ, then they are going to get cooked by your pile or the surrounding desert.
Bacteria will break everything down. But in your situation, it might make sense to stop adding to the pile sooner. I stop adding once the pile is 75-90% done. You could probably stop much earlier, like 50% or so.
Glad you like the video and good luck!
I just started doing my first proper compost and found it very informative. Before, we were just dumping kitchen waste and garden waste in one place without mixing and turning it. I hope I will be able to follow your method! Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us!
I'm glad I can help De.
Thanks for replying to me. I am definitely going to try your formula. I know I'm regretting wasting all the material I have had over time that I could have used wished I had found you sooner lol. Thanks again.
Man... I just watched the progression of a pile of dirt for almost 20 minutes, and I had such a good time 🤭😍🥰. Thank you so much for all this clear and easy to understand information! You have such a pleasant voice to listen to and this process of using your kitchen scraps to 'do good' is mesmerising to me.
You mentioned the species of worm that you have in your are, is that the 'most ideal' worm you want to have in your pile? Like, if I was to start hanging a bucket in a sunny place off my balcony, would that be a good addition to it, once the soil has ripened enough?
Fascinating stuff, again, thanks for making this video 👏👏
Hi - the worm is an 'Asian Jumper' and is an invasive species. It is better if you don't have them around. Once they infest an area though, they will be there forever.
For composting in a bucket on a balcony, it probably won't get hot because there isn't enough volume of material. But it will make compost, without worms, it will just take a bit longer. Keep it well aerated and you should be good to go.
Just bought my first house. Ive been so excited to stop piling my food scraps in the freezer to bring it to the local compost drop off every week. Thanks, so simple.
Big congrats on your home, and your future compost pile!
Blessings to you for this! Now I’m ready to compost! 💃🏽
Excellent! Thank you Anna!
Quit the fucking blessing shit just say mother natures happy
This was extremely helpful. I was going to lift it off the ground but after watching, I can see that that is not something I want to do. Composting seemed "big and scary" to me but you quelled my fears. I feel like I can do this! Thank you so very much.
You are very welcome Ginny - good luck!
This was so so helpful! I've watched so many videos to start me off on my compost journey, and its been a bit overwhelming. However, your video made me feel like I could do it!!
Thank you Synnøve!
Best explanation I've seen and so natural like its meant to be from mother nature I'm a beginner but feel confident already from you guidance and awesome video ...thank you Joe
You are very welcome Wayne! It really is that simple - make a large pile (3' diameter) with greens/browns/moisture/air.....don't let grass mat-up, and keep it aerated/moist, and voila! You'll have compost in a couple months.
This has been the best composting video I’ve seen so far! Simple and effective method! Thank you.
Thank you Melissa! I'm glad I could help you out.
Thank you!! I have so many kitchen scraps and leftover plain boxes from my move that I don’t want to throw away. Plus, my “yard” around my tiny rental house has hard soil with clay, so this is EXACTLY what I need to have a better shot at growing things next year. Thank you for the detailed breakdown and demonstration!
Excellent - I'm glad I could help you out. Good luck starting your pile!
We had a super compact clay soil for our yard, adding some gypsum dust and compost and tilling it in has worked fantastic for breaking it up and putting it back more towards loamy soil! Hope this helps! 😊
Finally an exact video on what I was looking for. Composting straight into the ground. 👍 something simple and not overly complicated that makes me ask more questions
You are very welcome - good luck getting started
I just got a compost tumbler and want to start my 1st recipe. This was a very easy to follow video with simple directions that I think I just might be able to do it! Thank you!!
You are welcome Cassandra. Just know that tumblers are often difficult, or cannot get hot due to them not being large enough. The pile size will determine if it heats up or not. But do not worry - it will still make compost! It will just take longer. The process is the same.
@@growitbuilditwould it be okay to make this in a raised garden box? Thinking of having one built for compost only. And wouldn’t it be smelly if left open?
It would be fine to do that. People make pallet bins all the time. I originally intended to do so,but never got around to it. After several successful piles I just figured it would one more thing to maintain
Hey I love the video! Just started my own pile in my backyard earlier today and I'm eager to see it go. You've made me realize I can just keep it in a pile, no need to keep it in a little wire mesh enclosed "pen" that I made for it. Also you made me realize turning is a lot more important than I realized... I planned on once a month turning it but every other day or every few days seems more appropriate. Great stuff! Thanks!
Hi Colter - congrats on getting started. The frequent turning is due to me constantly adding to it, which most people don't do. But also with grass clippings- it is extremely important.
I've learned that as all this stuff breaks down, and particularly grass, it just sort of compresses on to itself. Eventually, no air will be present, and the anaerobic bacteria really will take over. If you use grass, pay close attention to the pile. If you see it start matting up, get after it and turn/separate it.
Great video. Plain and simple. I made my first compost pile one week ago and can’t believe I didn’t do it sooner.
Thank you Erin! Glad you enjoyed it, and good luck on your pile!
This content is really top shelf. Simple, to the point, yet effective. Idk why I’ve been overthinking this whole thing. 50/50 green brown is best advice. Love how you showed good examples and bad examples. No fancy compost bins. It all makes sense to me
Thank you Matthew - I'm very happy you enjoyed it. Good luck starting your first pile!
As others have said, great video. You really took the voodoo out of the process. The biggest takeaway was how simple and fast it could be, provided you follow a few rules. I was always baffled by compost piles, based on my experience of dumping my leaves in the woods every fall. They take years to break down that way. That’s obviously not how it all works. 🤦♂️ Having a combination of well mixed green/brown makes a lot of sense now.
You are welcome Eric - I'm glad I could help you out. The key thing is keeping the 4 ingredients balanced, and making sure your pile is somewhat large (3-4' diameter). Then just manage the pile (proper moisture and aeration via mixing). That is really about it.