COMPOSTING

[RichnSteph]

And last, if you can actually see anything, this shows the bin on the right with compost that is finishing, and the one on the left that is still being accumulated.

That last picture is really telling. Wow what a difference, the stuff on the right looks like the deep rich soil out at the family home by the lake. Just in case I missed it how long (approx.) does it take to go from the "new" on the left to the "finished" on the right?

 

[AxisOfBeagles]

That last picture is really telling. Wow what a difference, the stuff on the right looks like the deep rich soil out at the family home by the lake. Just in case I missed it how long (approx.) does it take to go from the "new" on the left to the "finished" on the right?

Depends on time of year of course, but 4 months seems to be the typical timeframe. Little less in the summer, little longer in the winter.

 

[AxisOfBeagles]

I admit - I love compost. Just harvested a bin yesterday; just over a half cubic yard (15 cf) of rich, finished compost ready for the garden.

To the question of how long compost takes - this was a "winter batch" - first started accumulating material in that bin on September 20 (had lots of end-of season stuff int) and closed it (stopped adding material) on January 15. Just over 3 months later - finished compost. Just in time for the garden before spring planting.

Started accumulating in the other bin on the same day that one closed - Jan 15 - and will soon close that one and give it 3 or 4 months to finish - all the while the chickens will have free access to it. Chickens really do shorten the compost cycle - and make for much richer compost!

Is it totally weird to enjoy composting so much?

 

[RichnSteph]

Is it totally weird to enjoy composting so much?

It is a little weird. *laugh* I'm kidding!

 

[Housemom408]

I would like to start composting, but sure where to start. Type of bin, number of bins, how big, roof yes or no, what all can go in. I have 2 sheep that I have straw in there shelter. Is that ok to put in? It has a lot of urine and manure in it. I also have chickens and ducks, is it good to put their bedding in also? I only have a small garden, but I feel bad just burning or throwing away all at stuff.

 

[AxisOfBeagles]

I would like to start composting, but sure where to start. Type of bin, number of bins, how big, roof yes or no, what all can go in. I have 2 sheep that I have straw in there shelter. Is that ok to put in? It has a lot of urine and manure in it. I also have chickens and ducks, is it good to put their bedding in also? I only have a small garden, but I feel bad just burning or throwing away all at stuff.

One thought would be to start with piles and avoid the cost of bins. Just make a big pile of compostable material for a few months, thn let it do its thing while you start building a second pile.

That sheep bedding and chicken bedding will be great for both the straw (carbon material) and the manure. What you'll need to add is green stuff - garden waste, kitchen scraps, grass cuttings, etc. Moisten it occassionally, and turn the pile with a shovel every month or so and soon enough you'll have compost.

 

[Starfire669]

I know that chicken poo is "hot" and can burn plants if used too soon. How long is too soon? Also how long before putting chicken, duck, goose poo compost into a veggie garden? I have a pile of compost, chicken poo, bedding, leaves, and organic matter, that is 2 months old. It no longer smells and is darkening, but the tree leaves haven't broken down yet. I water it daily and turn it weekly. Am I doing something wrong?

 

[Housemom408]

One thought would be to start with piles and avoid the cost of bins. Just make a big pile of compostable material for a few months, thn let it do its thing while you start building a second pile.

That sheep bedding and chicken bedding will be great for both the straw (carbon material) and the manure. What you'll need to add is green stuff - garden waste, kitchen scraps, grass cuttings, etc. Moisten it occassionally, and turn the pile with a shovel every month or so and soon enough you'll have compost.

Thanks, that is the method I decided to go with. Hopefully next spring I will have lots of good stuff for the garden.

 

[AxisOfBeagles]

I know that chicken poo is "hot" and can burn plants if used too soon. How long is too soon? Also how long before putting chicken, duck, goose poo compost into a veggie garden? I have a pile of compost, chicken poo, bedding, leaves, and organic matter, that is 2 months old. It no longer smells and is darkening, but the tree leaves haven't broken down yet. I water it daily and turn it weekly. Am I doing something wrong?

I swear by chicken manure in my compost. I use oak leaves as deep litter under the coop, and add that to every compost load. As for your current coost, hard to say without being there to see it, but I'd guess that its not done yet. 2 months is oretty short, and the leaves and such should be broken down.

 

[Starfire669]

I swear by chicken manure in my compost. I use oak leaves as deep litter under the coop, and add that to every compost load. As for your current coost, hard to say without being there to see it, but I'd guess that its not done yet. 2 months is oretty short, and the leaves and such should be broken down.

Thanks