I have yet to master the art of compost, so I have a few questions... Keep in mind, my compost pile is MOSTLY grass clippings, 2 pigs worth of pig poop, and the occassional kitchen scraps (though that portion has decreased since getting the pigs). 1. How much do coffee grinds really help in a compost mixture like mine? I'm trying to figure out if it's worth collecting the grounds from work to throw in (we go through at least 10 pots of coffee per day at work). 2. Chicken Poop - I've been deep littering since June. I want to do some prep work on my garden this fall for next spring. Come September or October, if I clean out the chicken coop and till it into the garden, will it be safe to plant in next spring? Thanks!
I'm don't think you should be using the pig poop. Everything I've read says stay away from dog and cat manure, so I'm assuming that would include pig manure as well. I think you can only use vegetable waste or manure from herbivores. We put home coffee grounds, kitchen vegetable waste, chicken poop, yard waste, some bone meal, and water in ours.
Regarding Coffee Grounds in compost, the grounds wouldn't add much nutrient value I think, but they do help in "tilth" of the soil (nice loose texture). I think huge quantities might add acidity, but I'm not sure. Regarding adding litter directly from coop to soil to overwinter, it might work, but when wood shavings break down, they use up nitrogen in soil. So having the litter in a separate composting bin, with already active compost, would probably be better. Be sure to keep it somewhat moist, and pitchfork turn it at least weekly - that will speed up the composting process. Good luck.
YEP...it'll cook all winter long! Spring planting will be fine. My garden is gorgeous this year...also get a soil test and take it to your local cooperative extension (UNH-here) in the yellow pages. I downloaded the form off their website. They will send you a detailed report of what to add to the soil to make for a good mix...I paid $18 for the organic test results...I went organic this year and my garden is BETTER! I just let my chickens in my garden to eat up all the lettuce which is going to seed...I put chicken wire around the part of the garden I didn't want them in. My heirloom brandywine tomatoes are too precious! They tilled up the soil nice for me and did all the work for me! I'm going to plant another crop of Mammoth Sugar Snap Peas for Fall! I have a huge piece of plastic on the compost pile; I cover it up and stake it down. The DE I sprinkle in the litter prevents flies!
Sorry, the plastic is the weed fabric that allows moisture thru! I cover my garden with it after applying my compost in the fall too! In the spring I fold it up and store it for next fall! My garden takes about 2 whole rolls of the stuff 8 x 40 foot garden...long and narrow for easy weeding! Have FUN!
The pig poop is fine, just dont put it directley on the plants it will kill them the only poo you can put directly on plants is rabbit poop. We clean out the hog pen and put the waste in havy duty thash bags (seal them up tight it wont smell as long as the bag is closed TIGHT) after your harvest, add the poop (chicken and hog)directly to the garden cultivate it in and it wil be the best soil next spring.
