Comments on: How We Make Compost

By: Penny

Penny — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 23:25:06 +0000

We are building a community garden in our apartment complex. Our compost is
the three bin system and we just started the first pile today. The kids are really looking forward to using the compost on the gardens.

By: Shirley

Shirley — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 00:48:57 +0000

Cindy, thank you for the kind comment. I’m glad you have been enjoying my blog. You should be able to tell if your compost is ready by the way it looks. When compost is ready, it will look like black dirt, and you won’t be able to actually see any of the individual items you put into it. The temperature of the compost is important while the compost pile is “working”… we like to have the temperature reach at least 140°F, and with a good pile the temperature will stay high for several weeks. We use a compost thermometer with a very long probe that reaches down into the pile. We just stick the thermometer into the pile of new compost and check the temperature occasionally. It’s especially interesting to see a high temperature in a pile of compost during the winter when the air temperature is below freezing. You might want to check out my other article on composting, “Nature’s Free Mulch — How We Make Leaf Mold.”

By: Cindy

Cindy — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 20:53:43 +0000

Hi, I have read a lot of the information you have here and its wonderful! I had a couple question regarding your composting method. We actually have the same approach as you. We have a large pile that we started about a year ago and have not used it yet. We have a sunny out of the way area where we have been dumping our chicken manure and coop bedding, we put garden discards and grass clippings in there too. Anyway, it does stay moist and we have never turned it. How do I know when it is done? How do you take the temperature?? Do you dig down and use an instant read thermometer in the center?? At what temperature should it be at??
Thank you for any help and I look forward to reading more:)

By: Frugal Babe

Frugal Babe — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 19:02:50 +0000

We have two compost bins that we rotate, filling one up while the other one is “working”. We love it, and haven’t used any other fertilizer on our garden for the last three years. I love the picture of your compost pile – it looks like a cozy nest in a beautiful forest! (ours isn’t that pretty ;)

By: Shirley

Shirley — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 22:17:50 +0000

Have you ever thought about making a garbage can composter? The garbage can should be on blocks or something with holes in the bottom so any liquid can drain away, and holes in the sides of the can for more ventilation. I agree, composting sure can cut down on “garbage”… we either compost or recycle everything.

By: Niki

Niki — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 01:11:51 +0000

Initially I was so worried about ratios etc and now I have the same approach as you….throw it in, turn and water…if I remember. This does take a little longer to break down but when you have several on the go it doesn’t really matter.