Anyone compost? Need help getting started.

[qtwns]

Happy New Year--My New Year's resolution is to make my own dirt! This year I want to start a compost pile. I've always wanted to do this. Any composters out there that can give me some start-up advice? I don't want/need anything fancy or pretty. I don't want to buy any fancy containers. The more natural, the better. Other that earthworms, what are good things to add?

It's just Janu-Ugly and all I can think about is getting my garden started. Homegrown tomatoes, peppers, cucs! YUM!

TIA!

 

[pampam]

The most basic and certainly the cheapest is to just make a pile of compost on the ground with your veggie scraps, lawn cuttings, etc. You will have to give us some more information so we can guide you through it. Do you want something less labour intensive, something easier on the eyes, whatever. Are neighbours a concern? Also toss in egg shells, coffee grounds, shredded newspapers, and so on, but you probably know this already.

 

[qtwns]

Neighbors aren't really a concern as we have a very private backyard that backs up to woods. I'd prefer to just be able to turn it a couple of times a week with a pitch fork (I guess I need a pitch fork!)and otherwise use the "sit and rot" method.

Do I need to layer items I add or can they just be thrown in whenever/however?

I looked on-line and there are some pretty involved composting ideas out there...the simpler the better for me. I really just want to end up with good compost to add to my garden. I started my garden last year and it is very small (about 4X6 feet) I was pretty successful with it and enjoyed it so much, that I'm going to double the size this year. I think composting will add to the satisfaction.

 

[EthansMom]

We compost!

We just have an area at the side of our yard where we put our vegetable scraps, grass clippings and such. We bought a generic 2 gallons plastic bucket with a lid from Home Depot (paint section, I think) and keep it in the kitchen. As we have scraps (anything other than meats, fish, chicken which would attract coyotes and such), we put the scraps in the pail. We empty the pail into the pile about once a week. When we empty the pail, we also turn the mulch with a pitchfork. Other than the pail and pitchfork, we don't have any special equipment and the earthworms show up on their own... no need to buy any. In fact, I've told all the neighbors to let us know if they need fishing bait!

It's amazing how much less garbage we're putting out for pick-up!

 

[qtwns]

I now have a compost pile! I spent a couple of hours this afternoon and turned an old wooden couch frame into a base, so to speak. I took all the old soil from my garden and voila! The beginnings of my compost pile. I like the idea of keeping a container handy for scraps. I can't wait to have scraps now!

Now here is the gross part...I also made a doggie doo compost pit. NOT for gardening purposes, but just to keep my 3 dogs' "contributions" out of the landfill. I found instructions on-line, and it just seemed to make sense. I think I'll call it Pooh Corner!!

I'm sore and tired from digging and hauling dirt, but it feels good to have accomplished something today.