https://www.the-compost-gardener.com/Compost-blog.html The Compost Blog will keep you up to date on compost news along with new material and changes to the-compost-gardener.com web site. Subscribe here. en-us compost Tue, 18 Jul 2023 15:44:29 -0400 Tue, 18 Jul 2023 15:44:29 -0400 the-compost-gardener.com https://www.the-compost-gardener.com/compost-method-burying-material.html5da225b97baeaf7b6bf9ae981838d617I have been composting for several years now with just burying the compost in what will become a garden row and coming back the next year to plant over Tue, 18 Jul 2023 15:43:59 -0400 https://www.the-compost-gardener.com/wedding-event-temporarily-wrap-compost-bin.html56d7cd07f426472caaf3876dfee86bf4Hi there - I've tried searching online to get an answer, no luck. We are hosting a backyard wedding in 2 weeks, and I'd like to reduce the possible number Mon, 25 Jul 2022 16:22:14 -0400 https://www.the-compost-gardener.com/pathogens-im-worried-about-pathogens.html4b48d9490c480284b67a870185c97f79I have a bottomless compost bin in the garden where we put raw food scraps and coffee ect. I've placed some garden leaves and twigs also. It doesn't seem Mon, 20 Jun 2022 13:19:43 -0400 https://www.the-compost-gardener.com/seed-saving.html30fb1433f7d6e2d97a3c134850881ab6This landrace gardening course teaches a new and simple approach to seed saving. The result robust, locally adapted and better tasting food from the garden. Fri, 22 Apr 2022 04:17:19 -0400 https://www.the-compost-gardener.com/rotten-egg-broke-in-my-compost.html894b9b5fc1d398cb175f0617e3fbe6e9I was turning my compost today (large family uses it). There was a whole egg- not sure how long it had been in there. It broke and smelled horrible. Tue, 19 Apr 2022 00:37:36 -0400 https://www.the-compost-gardener.com/composting-flooring.htmld87df46fba44b559d46178dd4006f5dcHi, I live in outback Australia. I have a good compost but want to move it closer to the house so it’s not so far to walk to. I am wondering what type Tue, 1 Mar 2022 12:36:04 -0500 https://www.the-compost-gardener.com/pet-poop-digester.html01699957ef093ae790f7bbade9828eaeI’m going to build a digester specifically for dog poop. I will be using a salvaged approx 60 gallon tank from an old air compressor. I’ll add lots of Mon, 28 Feb 2022 13:59:37 -0500 https://www.the-compost-gardener.com/ants-in-compost-pile.htmld8146d33bc00b7f9d942da91eac82ed5I have a nice compost pile and have used it often. Great to add to red clay for planting. I now have ants in the pile. Is it ok to continue using the Tue, 3 Aug 2021 17:57:04 -0400 https://www.the-compost-gardener.com/tumbler-composter-adding-material-and-time-concerns.html715b509590a70263c36a471867b7c64aDoes it matter which side I add to in the tumbler composter? One side has a + sign but looking at pictures of the one we have, I think it is in the wrong Thu, 29 Jul 2021 14:42:04 -0400 https://www.the-compost-gardener.com/grass-clippings-and-golf-course-sand.htmldf258933b8a16b254f63ef7b69a009a6Hi. I recently got some grass clippings for my compost, but noticed that it has a bit of sand.....likely from the nearby golf bunker. Should I still mix Sat, 24 Apr 2021 20:56:34 -0400 https://www.the-compost-gardener.com/compost-bin-and-soil-question.html7eee9214cedb3909af3811d596857236I began a compost bin a few weeks ago and placed Scott's lawn soil in it as my soil source. I have been reading a variety of reviews and I believe I may Thu, 22 Apr 2021 15:33:06 -0400 https://www.the-compost-gardener.com/bokashi-and-verimculture-composter.html66b54002618555be36b9ffdd594b8856Can you add bokashi compost to a verimculture composting system? Does Bokashi Play Nice with Worms? Hi AT and thanks for your question. Bokashi composting Sun, 21 Feb 2021 12:17:45 -0500 https://www.the-compost-gardener.com/paper-with-ink-on-it.html1c9933086878b9a5143382faffb32390Hi, I'm confused as to whether I can compost paper that (a) I have printed on i.e. has printer ink on it and (b) paper that I've written on i.e. has pen Thu, 29 Oct 2020 15:23:53 -0400 https://www.the-compost-gardener.com/do-worms-leave-when-compost-is-done.html7bc290e0bda7f68ba6cb7ba4e1e9a9c2I have a large round plastic compost bin similar to the photo though mine is slightly wider and bigger. I have lots of worms in the bottom that appeared Thu, 29 Oct 2020 14:48:21 -0400 https://www.the-compost-gardener.com/beginner-composting-within-a-forest.htmla970dcb3d31712a4bbad1f7544f3e3faHello! I recently bought a home that is surrounded by forest. I have been throwing sticks and pulled weeds into the forest, spreading them around. This Thu, 29 Oct 2020 13:57:53 -0400 https://www.the-compost-gardener.com/is-beekeeping-waste-safe-for-worm-composting.html81c853fc4bca56e710491fe1ed28ee3eI am a beekeeper and I have some waste from beehives. Is beekeeping waste safe to use in worm composting? I have taken the wax from here and all that is Thu, 22 Oct 2020 21:55:42 -0400 https://www.the-compost-gardener.com/compost-dirt-and-ants.html03ac12de0c3aea6238fd3d9cb95d8596My issue with compost ants is that we sift the dirt and mix it with other potting soil and it goes into plants in the hot house/greenhouse. My experience Thu, 22 Oct 2020 21:32:27 -0400 https://www.the-compost-gardener.com/mushroom-compost-for-raised-beds.html57696b07ae9fb70a9d5a1e569006137dWe are doing raised beds and have read/heard conflicting stories of how to use this. And can we use straight mushroom compost without top soil? My Advice Thu, 22 Oct 2020 21:18:26 -0400 https://www.the-compost-gardener.com/where-to-buy-actinobacterium-frankia.html90d0c9f6a654e5ea6e82e782b89ec3a4Does anyone know of a product that contains this actinobacterium? I want to make sure it's available in the soil when I plant Goumi berries. I Don't Thu, 22 Oct 2020 14:56:24 -0400 https://www.the-compost-gardener.com/cn-ratio-for-compost-tumbler.html0561f6980d1af760af2811125ec950b1I lucked into an envirocycle left behind by the previous homeowner and though I’ve muddled through so far I’d love to improve my results. I’m confused Thu, 22 Oct 2020 14:30:37 -0400 https://www.the-compost-gardener.com/lots-of-leaves-some-grass-clippings-how-do-i-start-a-compost-pile-with-limited-materials.html367281af0d9e536b3b902f5e2cd636cbYears ago my grandfather told me that his dad said to never put leaves in the garden because it soured the soil. For many years I have just raked my Mon, 12 Oct 2020 14:47:12 -0400 https://www.the-compost-gardener.com/ants-attacking-earthworms-in-compost-heap.htmld624080ac355584c726c65f47b21727fGood day - thank you for your very valuable channel!! I have neglected my compost pile for a while :(- just adding material and not stirring the contents Sat, 3 Oct 2020 12:58:46 -0400 https://www.the-compost-gardener.com/above-ground-composting.htmld3f440ce07c6632bc6108ed2657fa5eaHi! My mom and I have recently been starting to compost our food scraps in her garden. We haven't bought any compost bins or anything. My mom just keeps Thu, 10 Sep 2020 14:42:45 -0400 https://www.the-compost-gardener.com/mashed-vegetable-waste-for-plants-on-the-terrace.html7611619a9d78a90b2655bafa642de08dHi! I'm living in an apartment with a terrasse. I love plants and hate throwing out the amount of vegetable waste. I tried doing compost last year but Sun, 25 Aug 2019 16:24:01 -0400 https://www.the-compost-gardener.com/weird-fungus-in-decomposed-yard-waste.html17d7a0da1e6049fa657b81b47e0697c5We had a tree removed and waited a year before grinding the stump. We added yard waste, small branches, leaves, grass clippings, etc over the next year. Sun, 25 Aug 2019 15:22:41 -0400 https://www.the-compost-gardener.com/wet-disposable-diapers-can-they-be-composted.html962473aab8c399e4c274b4125f80c19cSounds disgusting, but would the inside of wet diapers be compostable? Urine + cellulose. Good Question That's an interesting question. The thing to know Sun, 30 Jun 2019 17:36:54 -0400 https://www.the-compost-gardener.com/best-decomposers-for-growing-kale-in-martian-soil.htmlb0d09e7d3667568cb989d473092b7de4My daughter's 11th-grade science project idea involves soil decomposers, and we're stuck. She is testing 3-5 decomposers in Martian type soil to investigate Sat, 6 Oct 2018 14:00:05 -0400 https://www.the-compost-gardener.com/no-more-heat.htmle404a43bd08373e84bf42a921afdb999I live in Southeastern Mississippi. It is very hot and humid here. I started my compost pile in the woods about 10 weeks ago. Just threw some sides up Sun, 30 Sep 2018 20:14:49 -0400 https://www.the-compost-gardener.com/heating-up-a-nearly-finished-compost-heap.html12518e5673fb84550935e93c89351f1fMy compost heap is about 80% decomposed. I made it in the normal way and it didn't get warm during the composting process. There are still unwanted seeds Sun, 30 Sep 2018 19:45:57 -0400 https://www.the-compost-gardener.com/stalled-composting.htmld49cafc81be3045831e9bc82c5b7dcfeHI, I have a two sided barrel type compost tumbler, I filled up the first side and put some already ready compost in to kickstart it, and went on to fill Sun, 30 Sep 2018 19:05:01 -0400 https://www.the-compost-gardener.com/red-wigglers.htmlcf21fd04fd76399043fae7d7087ff2e3Our compost bin is full of red wigglers. The bin is a two piece plastic one, with a door at the bottom for scooping out the composted material. My husband Fri, 27 Apr 2018 22:41:33 -0400 https://www.the-compost-gardener.com/soil-texture.html0102ed6c61a70c1d52e424dc33e4287bSoil texture is an important part of understandng your soil. It has a huge effect on your soil's capacity to store nutrients. As well it governs water flows. You can not change your soil texture but happily organic matter can help with any difficulties. Thu, 1 Mar 2018 17:25:04 -0500 https://www.the-compost-gardener.com/soil-texture-testing.htmlc57efd322a7f54fc29ad09a52ef7ba09Soil Texture testing is easy and worth the effort even though you can't change your soil texture without risking turning it into cement. But you can learn about and understand it. These two simple methods show you how. Tue, 27 Feb 2018 14:26:20 -0500 https://www.the-compost-gardener.com/soil-ph.htmldd5e1071833e52d338e21a802018c9beWhat is soil pH and how does it affect your garden? Find out here how soil pH affects the nutrients your plants can access and how compost helps both acidic and alkaline soils function well. Wed, 21 Feb 2018 17:40:16 -0500 https://www.the-compost-gardener.com/soil-ph-test.html29165173c2442dbb6af5aa109cdfd669Three simple ways to test your soil pH. One uses stuff you probably have in your cupboards. The other two use easy to buy and inexpensive test strip and soil pH meters. Wed, 21 Feb 2018 17:38:52 -0500 https://www.the-compost-gardener.com/gray-fuzzies-oh-no.html43ec3521af5b6f588523000a825a45acI bought a kitchen counter compost bin and began using it right away. It came a week before my tumbler arrived. To make a long story short, gray fuzzie Wed, 10 Jan 2018 15:34:30 -0500 https://www.the-compost-gardener.com/sheet-mulching-in-scotland.htmla8d86e4908e187ca3bc684053616b0c1A Scotish family from NE Scotland tells a tale of lawn to productive veggie garden transformation. Thu, 9 Mar 2017 14:29:26 -0500 https://www.the-compost-gardener.com/composting-tips.htmlaef2fca330f969f6c9228d72e98d0769A compost tumbler can be a great tool or a nightmare. These composting tips will almost guarantee success. Wed, 9 Nov 2016 16:07:50 -0500 https://www.the-compost-gardener.com/haber-process.htmla4982527ad6b59169c14d3cbaf68df87The Haber Process provides the base for nitrogen fertilizer that helps feed the wqorld. But there is a dark side. Wed, 9 Nov 2016 12:40:50 -0500 https://www.the-compost-gardener.com/bokashi.html0c5ee317e4ecd04a8b3af3bb8aec11e6Are you loving bokashi composting? Why not team up with a few friends, make a big batch and you'll be supplied for next to nothing. Fri, 21 Oct 2016 14:31:58 -0400 https://www.the-compost-gardener.com/sheet-composting.html4c7e802c466351ae547647716670d491Sheet composting is a nice way to use up all the spent garden leftovers and fall leaves to build a great Spring garden bed. Sun, 11 Sep 2016 23:06:47 -0400 https://www.the-compost-gardener.com/mycorrhizae-in-our-compost-or-what.html8e1948615636ba42f270509fccc6c97dWe have white stuff in our compost which looks to me like ashes. It shows up when horse manure or lots of grass clippings are used. I would say when there Thu, 18 Feb 2016 13:39:18 -0500 https://www.the-compost-gardener.com/nitrogen-fixing-bacteria.html7d0eb88256b87793df41803b5d9c99e1The right Rhizobium nitrogen fixing bacteria matched with the correct legume partner equals free natural nitrogen fertilizer. Do you have the right bacteria in your soil? Tue, 15 Dec 2015 16:57:35 -0500 https://www.the-compost-gardener.com/bedding-down-my-fall-garden.html70a9c8ba7faeb56d5082f518e7883e0bI have been composting leaves now for 25 years, as a result of being daunted by the task of bagging leaves from 47 oak trees on my property. It's a lot Sat, 28 Nov 2015 16:35:18 -0500 https://www.the-compost-gardener.com/envirocycle-composter.htmlb8a728d3ee2e104bbecbf34fc6de9555The compact Envirocycle Composter is at home on a deck or balcony. A decent compost solution for small urban spaces. Thu, 19 Nov 2015 16:53:46 -0500 https://www.the-compost-gardener.com/buried-compost-pit.html6189d11465a6ce07c29cf360ead3afb3I obtained a 60 gallon barrel for the purpose of a buried compost pit. I drilled many 3/8 holes in the bottom and approx 1/3 up the sides. The bin is 39 Wed, 5 Aug 2015 17:13:22 -0400 https://www.the-compost-gardener.com/compost-sources-storm-debris.html3ec5346b835aede4cd1ff8a0bd263038My city cleans streets regularly. The May 26 t-storm piled maple seeds at the sewer entrances. I picked up and dumped 2 yards in a pile that is already Tue, 4 Aug 2015 19:16:55 -0400 https://www.the-compost-gardener.com/when-to-use-the-compost.htmla5add48828e6612f91e30e946fafe04aHello I have a. Plastic conical compost bin. I put veg in it every other day. I have been putting veg in it for months, and I always see uncomposted Tue, 4 Aug 2015 19:03:15 -0400 https://www.the-compost-gardener.com/100-compost-vegetables-container-garden.html9b9210980e5025fb758e9c0ea052f33cI made a movable raised container garden for an elderly friend who loves gardening but can no longer bend to take care of. In my haste to get it done Tue, 4 Aug 2015 18:53:12 -0400 https://www.the-compost-gardener.com/composting-in-a-forest.html18aa59a76ec1cf7898103239f762db02We have recently purchased a home on a street with houses on one side and about 12 acres of woods on the other. Historically all of the neighbors on Tue, 4 Aug 2015 17:46:47 -0400