The Compost Tumbler thread

[Spok]

Yeah I am sure they are fine, I was just asking if they were prepared a certain way. You should look into starting a hot pile also. You can use a container, such as a large rubber trash bin, that is easy to flip. Hot compost is nice because you can kind of tayler it to your needs and likes.

when you say hot composting are you refering to a method or the compost itself. it sounds like im cold composting, but ive stuck my hand in the pile and it was hot. it put a smile on my face, cos i knew i was doin' somethin right

 

[JackTheGrower]

this might be a dumb question, but does beans have any oils in it.

and im new to composting, what is cold composting?

I meant a pan of oil or rotting hamburger is all.

Not that we can't add things to a hot pile we wouldn't normally but that the basics of composting are providing nitrogenous materials like alfalfa or lawn grass clippings and carbonaceous materials like pine shavings.
There are called the Greens and Browns. A google search on Composting should be very helpful to read.

We all start some place. Composting is easy once we have some background on it.

Feel free to ask questions as the only dumb question is the one you don't ask.

 

[blwd67]

I think it refers to the method, although the temps would be higher I think. It's the same idea as a pile except that you turn it all the time to aid in the process. Also chopping up or putting your additives in the blender will help them break down faster. But for real this is jacks area of expertise, search and read his threads and you will learn everything you need to get started.

To my hot pile I added things like Guinea pig pellets, kelp meal, dolomite lime, coffee grounds, grass clippings, dry leaves, twigs and mulch and crap, and some other stuff. So far it's working pretty well.

 

[Spok]

Feel free to ask questions as the only dumb question is the one you don't ask.

i like that

 

[JackTheGrower]

I think it refers to the method, although the temps would be higher I think. It's the same idea as a pile except that you turn it all the time to aid in the process. Also chopping up or putting your additives in the blender will help them break down faster. But for real this is jacks area of expertise, search and read his threads and you will learn everything you need to get started.

To my hot pile I added things like Guinea pig pellets, kelp meal, dolomite lime, coffee grounds, grass clippings, dry leaves, twigs and mulch and crap, and some other stuff. So far it's working pretty well.

Pine Shavings work well too. they compost some and then offer long term carbon.

 

[Spok]

Pine Shavings work well too. they compost some and then offer long term carbon.

wat about pine needles?

 

[JackTheGrower]

wat about pine needles?

I had to look them up. I know they created acidic conditions but this article tells us both more.

http://www.finegardening.com/how-to/qa/pine-needles-compost.aspx

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[blwd67]

I use pine needles because I have a ton of pine trees. Like the article says, they don break down very fast because of the waxy outer layer. I actually had a very high amount of N materials when I started and I think that affected the pine needles, causing them to break down a little faster.

My next project is building a strainer so I can use some of this compost.

 

[JackTheGrower]

I use pine needles because I have a ton of pine trees. Like the article says, they don break down very fast because of the waxy outer layer. I actually had a very high amount of N materials when I started and I think that affected the pine needles, causing them to break down a little faster.

My next project is building a strainer so I can use some of this compost.

You mean a sifter? A wise addition. Take time build it nice because you will have it for many years.

I can snap a picture of my 1/4 inch. my 1/8th is a smaller square.

I'd like to build new ones someday.

 

[blwd67]

Pictures would be great, man. I saw your 1/4" in the soil block thread, but some straight on shots can help give me an idea.

 

[Spok]

I had to look them up. I know they created acidic conditions but this article tells us both more.

http://www.finegardening.com/how-to/qa/pine-needles-compost.aspx

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good find.

 

[JackTheGrower]

In the realm of Greens and Browns Pine needles would be complex browns requiring more "action" to decompose.

Ha Ha! I just dumped two sacks of Starbucks coffee into what is left of the compost mix in the tumbler..

It was like winning the Lottery! the Starbucks spent coffee lottery. I have some stiff competition for grounds around here!

 

[Spok]

im guessing its okay to compost vegetables and fruits that have been grown with chemicals?

 

[redneck shogun]

You mean a sifter? A wise addition. Take time build it nice because you will have it for many years.

I can snap a picture of my 1/4 inch. my 1/8th is a smaller square.

I'd like to build new ones someday.

Mine isn't nice but I built it for about as cheap as it can be made. I didn't think about doing another one with an 1/8 inch screen but that is a good idea.

 

[JackTheGrower]

Mine isn't nice but I built it for about as cheap as it can be made. I didn't think about doing another one with an 1/8 inch screen but that is a good idea.

Why didn't I think of that? A rocker-screen! Oh man that is the shit!

Oh I know what I am building next. Debating an open end but that's the next one for sure!

 

[HighonPottery]

^that's not a rocker. it's just a screen over a wheel barrow. that's what i use to sieve my compost. i have a very coarse one made with chicken wire that helps get the larger stuff out and then it goes much faster through the small screen.

 

[Spok]

so i just found out that black walnut tree leaves arent good to compost because they release substances possibly harmful to plants.

Most of the leaves in my compost ARE black walnut leaves....so im wondering, should i start over? or will my compost be ok?

-thanks

 

[JackTheGrower]

^that's not a rocker. it's just a screen over a wheel barrow. that's what i use to sieve my compost. i have a very coarse one made with chicken wire that helps get the larger stuff out and then it goes much faster through the small screen.

It was a light bulb going on over my head anyway.

Think of a half barrel with a screen attached. We can rock-sift..

I saw what I needed to see obviously..

 

[JackTheGrower]

so i just found out that black walnut tree leaves arent good to compost because they release substances possibly harmful to plants.

Most of the leaves in my compost ARE black walnut leaves....so im wondering, should i start over? or will my compost be ok?

-thanks

They have a chemical that inhibits germination.

So it's best not to use Walnut.

 

[Spok]

They have a chemical that inhibits germination.

So it's best not to use Walnut.

i plan to use the compost next year. do you think the chemical will have been degraded by then?