Comments on: Starting Fresh with Compost http://growersandgrocers.net/2008/05/09/starting-fresh-with-compost/ From farm to table, and all the stops along the way. Wed, 09 Jul 2008 03:47:13 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 by: Casey http://growersandgrocers.net/2008/05/09/starting-fresh-with-compost/#comment-49026 Tue, 13 May 2008 02:37:07 +0000 http://growersandgrocers.net/2008/05/09/starting-fresh-with-compost/#comment-49026 Linda, I envy you your rototiller method. It sounds like you get compost pretty fast that way. Cate, good luck with your new project. Kids seem to love compost because it's so messy, too. Barbara, thanks for your comments. Your site has a lot of good compost info, too! Linda, I envy you your rototiller method. It sounds like you get compost pretty fast that way.

Cate, good luck with your new project. Kids seem to love compost because it’s so messy, too.

Barbara, thanks for your comments. Your site has a lot of good compost info, too!

]]> by: Barbara Pleasant http://growersandgrocers.net/2008/05/09/starting-fresh-with-compost/#comment-48691 Sat, 10 May 2008 13:42:28 +0000 http://growersandgrocers.net/2008/05/09/starting-fresh-with-compost/#comment-48691 Great story and confessional, Casey. Sadly, many new composters are told there is but one way to do it, which so often fails. And, that one way is based on a commercial model. Thanks for keeping it real. Great story and confessional, Casey. Sadly, many new composters are told there is but one way to do it, which so often fails. And, that one way is based on a commercial model. Thanks for keeping it real.

]]> by: Cate O'Malley http://growersandgrocers.net/2008/05/09/starting-fresh-with-compost/#comment-48585 Fri, 09 May 2008 13:04:53 +0000 http://growersandgrocers.net/2008/05/09/starting-fresh-with-compost/#comment-48585 My 5-year-old son and I are planning on starting a compost pile this weekend - these tips are perfect timing! My 5-year-old son and I are planning on starting a compost pile this weekend - these tips are perfect timing!

]]> by: Linda/Utah http://growersandgrocers.net/2008/05/09/starting-fresh-with-compost/#comment-48559 Fri, 09 May 2008 08:23:35 +0000 http://growersandgrocers.net/2008/05/09/starting-fresh-with-compost/#comment-48559 What makes a good compost pile? If you live in the country in a dry area such as ours, start a pile near the garden with grass clippings, leaves, small twigs and other green and dry matter. Don't use straight grass clippings, as that will breed flies. Always mix green and brown matter. If you don't have any dry matter to add to your clippings, temporarily cover them with dirt. Pile it all on the ground in a sunny spot. Now, here's the secret: run the rototiller through it about once a week or once every couple of weeks. If it spreads out too much, fork it back into the pile. The tiller does a great job of mixing the ingredients in your compost pile. In between, keep a small sprinkler attached to a hose on top of the pile. When you go out to work in the garden, turn the hose on low and let the sprinkler dampen down the pile. Don't soak it - just keep it moist. In a couple of months, you'll be harvesting compost for your garden and potted plants. Anything that hasn't composted, and that is legitimate composting material, just fork back into the pile and start over. What makes a good compost pile? If you live in the country in a dry area such as ours, start a pile near the garden with grass clippings, leaves, small twigs and other green and dry matter. Don’t use straight grass clippings, as that will breed flies. Always mix green and brown matter. If you don’t have any dry matter to add to your clippings, temporarily cover them with dirt. Pile it all on the ground in a sunny spot. Now, here’s the secret: run the rototiller through it about once a week or once every couple of weeks. If it spreads out too much, fork it back into the pile. The tiller does a great job of mixing the ingredients in your compost pile.

In between, keep a small sprinkler attached to a hose on top of the pile. When you go out to work in the garden, turn the hose on low and let the sprinkler dampen down the pile. Don’t soak it - just keep it moist.

In a couple of months, you’ll be harvesting compost for your garden and potted plants. Anything that hasn’t composted, and that is legitimate composting material, just fork back into the pile and start over.

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