• Register  |
  • LoginLogin
Close
Login
 
 
Register
 Advanced search
  • Search
  • Register
  • Login
  • JOIN!
  • View unanswered posts
  • View active topics
  • Gardening
Gardening Forum   ORGANIC GARDENING FORUMS  Composting Forum

Correct brown in compost




Post a new topic
Post a reply
3 posts • Page 1 of 1

Correct brown in compost

Sat Aug 23, 2014 3:00 pm

Yesterday I started a compost pile in a old large trash can. I put two inch hole all over it for ventilation. Plus I built I 4x3 foot stake and chicken wire area for transfer and turning. My main question is the leaves I used. Since it is still summer here Pennsylvania I went to a local wooded area pulled leaves off the forest floor. Most of them were close to decaying already. So I used three parts leaves, sawdust and few road apples(horse manure) and one part grass clipping, corn stalks and coffee grounds and old rotten fruit. So far today(16 hours later) my can is getting warm. I plan to turn it every week or if it cools down. Thanks for any advice in advance.

Tom
Sweeperforce
Newly Registered
 
Posts: 1
Joined: Aug 23 '14
Location: Southern York county, Pennsylvania, USA
Top

Re: Correct brown

Sat Aug 23, 2014 5:16 pm

In a longer term, the duff off of your woodlot probably will have its best outcome resting under your woodlot trees.

In the short term, to get some browns, no harm--no foul.

Torn up cardboard, shredded news paper can all stand in for autumnal leaves just fine. An' the more you use out of the waste stream, the smaller that waste stream becomes. (a good thing)

Composting is a process of shrinking a whole lot of stuph, into a much smaller pile of humus. Once things have stopped heating up, its OK to let it finish in the larger bin.
Think like a tree
© 2016 Invisable Inc.
tomc
Super Green Thumb
 
Posts: 2665
Joined: Apr 10 '11
Location: SE-OH USA Zone 6-A
Top

Re: Correct brown in compost

Fri Sep 05, 2014 11:17 pm

..
Sweeperforce,

Tomc pretty much nailed it. Can't go wrong listening to him. My concern is that the trash can will have insufficient air and retain too much moisture. Further, it sounds like a small volume. While a small volume is doable, it's harder to do than the 3 x 3 x 3' volumes that are so often recommended.

If you start getting wet smelly stuff that doesn't appear to do anything, look to changing up your container to provide more air and sufficient drainage. That's the typical problem I've heard when using tumbler type devices.

I just assume fill up the 4 x 3 stake and chicken wire thing turning it every so often and keeping it moist.

to sense
..
rot
Greener Thumb
 
Posts: 728
Joined: Sep 24 '08
Location: Ventura County, CA, Sunset 23
Top

Please Share. Thank you!

 
 
Top


Post a reply
3 posts • Page 1 of 1

 

 

  •   Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post
  • Can store bought bagged compost be used as compost tea?
    in Composting Forum
    2
    2582
    by rainbowgardener View the latest post
  • Compost Trench Vs. Compost Bin/Heap
    in Composting Forum
    3
    1825
    by Breanna.link View the latest post
  • Is "water" from my compost useable as compost tea? Attachment(s)
    in Composting Forum
    3
    1054
    by applestar View the latest post
  • Cucumber trunk is brown.
    in Vegetable Gardening Forum
    1
    365
    by Lindsaylew82 View the latest post
  • Scallions tips turning brown Attachment(s)
    in Vegetable Gardening Forum
    6
    1440
    by imafan26 View the latest post
  • Brown moldy veggie leaves ?
    in Vegetable Gardening Forum
    3
    402
    by ButterflyLady29 View the latest post
Return to Composting Forum
  • Delete all board cookies • All times are UTC
Privacy Policy | Contact Us
Copyright HelpfulGardener.com 2003-2018 all rights reserved.
All trademarks and copyrights held by respective owners.



cron