Recycled soil compost questions

[SecretGardener]

So I have 10 gallons of soil from my recent harvest (2 plants in 5 gallon buckets). I put the soil in a 20 gallon round plastic container and placed it uncovered outside.

I want to use this soil as a base for a compost bin. It has perlite in it though, is that ok? It won't compost correct? Anyway, I'm trying to think of what I have laying around my yard that I can add to the pile and what the repercussions of adding it will be...

After Halloween I'm going to have a bunch of hay and pumpkins. Can I add some hay and pumpkin scraps to the pile and let it compost? I read hay is a good source of carbon, not sure what the pumpkins will contribute (N)? I also have a TON of pine straw from my pine tree's (gotta love evergreens). I read it is pretty acidic though and to not add much. Any of you guys use this stuff or should I stay way from it?

Also should I remove it from the plastic bin and put it directly on the ground so worms can get in it?

 

[redneck shogun]

It sounds like you want to sheet compost on top of your bin? This doesn't sound practical to me since you only have so much room on top of 20 gallons of soil. However since you say you have a yard then why not do a proper compost pile there. It doesn't need a "base" you just need the proper ratio of carbon to nitrogen rich ingredients that you can turn a few times a month and keep slightly damp.

 

[SecretGardener]

It sounds like you want to sheet compost on top of your bin? This doesn't sound practical to me since you only have so much room on top of 20 gallons of soil. However since you say you have a yard then why not do a proper compost pile there. It doesn't need a "base" you just need the proper ratio of carbon to nitrogen rich ingredients that you can turn a few times a month and keep slightly damp.

Yeah I just didn't know what to do with my used soil and I've been wanting to compost so I figured kill two birds with one stone. I know you can add some amendments and reuse your old soil but I just want it to go through the heat of composting process - I dunno...thanks though

 

[Microbeman]

http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=193147

 

[Montana]

Go for it, take all that hay and pumpkin scraps, mix it up real good, just on the bare ground, so the worms can get at it, and cover the whole pile with your used soil, wet it down with the hose, and then come back in a week and mix it up, mix about once a week really good.

Don't bother adding any meals or anything you've bought, save that for your new mixes, if you've got leaves in your yard rake them in, pine needles not so much, if you've got any grass clippings or weeds you've pulled or any other NON woody yard waste, throw that in too.

Turn that pile once a week and you'll have useable compost in about 2 months.

I compost all my used soil, and i NEVER throw in valuable kelp or bone or guano or anything else purchased, it will cook on its own.

IMO homemade compost is the best thing you could ever do to your plants.

Good luck i hope this helps

 

[redneck shogun]

On the subject of leaves in compost piles: mow over a pile of leaves a few times to cut them up nice and small. They mat up bad in your pile. I just started a special pine needle compost pile myself so I'll see how this turns out but for now I am keeping it secluded. If you have farm animals around, add that manure to your pile at about 1 to 5 ratio. I use horse manure because there is a 100 acre ranch behind my house with a dozen free ranging horses in it. Best thing about that is the owner lives in another state and I have the run of the place. Plus I have a catfish pond (liquid gold). So I don't spend much money to grow plants around here. How could I even consider growing any other way? It just makes too much to sense.

 

[vonforne]

So I have 10 gallons of soil from my recent harvest (2 plants in 5 gallon buckets). I put the soil in a 20 gallon round plastic container and placed it uncovered outside.

I want to use this soil as a base for a compost bin. It has perlite in it though, is that ok? It won't compost correct? Anyway, I'm trying to think of what I have laying around my yard that I can add to the pile and what the repercussions of adding it will be...

After Halloween I'm going to have a bunch of hay and pumpkins. Can I add some hay and pumpkin scraps to the pile and let it compost? I read hay is a good source of carbon, not sure what the pumpkins will contribute (N)? I also have a TON of pine straw from my pine tree's (gotta love evergreens). I read it is pretty acidic though and to not add much. Any of you guys use this stuff or should I stay way from it?

Also should I remove it from the plastic bin and put it directly on the ground so worms can get in it?

I would not compost that soil. You could add fresh EWC and compost and it will be ready to use again.....right away. Why wait a few months.

And have you thought of adding minerals?

Do this......add 1 TBS glacial rock powder, some soft rock phosphate and 20 % fresh EWC or compost. You will be much happier. And them use the hay and pumpkins to start a new compost pile. When it is finished add it to the next cycle of soil.

Nice to see you again SG. How are things going?

V

 

[Microbeman]

I would not compost that soil. You could add fresh EWC and compost and it will be ready to use again.....right away. Why wait a few months.

And have you thought of adding minerals?

Do this......add 1 TBS glacial rock powder, some soft rock phosphate and 20 % fresh EWC or compost. You will be much happier. And them use the hay and pumpkins to start a new compost pile. When it is finished add it to the next cycle of soil.

Nice to see you again SG. How are things going?

V

Essentialy what I meant too, by linking to the other thread. Von...You da man!

 

[SecretGardener]

Thanks for all the replies!

I made a separate compost pile with some grass clippings and mowed over leaves (thanks for the tip) that I'm going to add the pumpkins / hay to after Halloween. I did not add my used soil from last harvest to the pile. I'm going to amend it as Von suggested and reuse it. I never initially added any minerals to the mix so now I'd like to see what results I get with them added.

Von, here is a picture of that AK-47 you helped me rescue, Thanks! Just smoked some, aaahhh