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genuinegirly · 05-31-2009, 09:25 PM

1 - experiment with it. I've only had success with compost in heaps. I can never seem to get the balance right when I work in a confined space (though a horizontal oil drum that I could spin worked great until it rusted out). I like your concrete block lattice idea, anxious to see how it works out for you.

2 - A garbage can with holes doesn't seem like enough space for all of the yard waste that a typical home will produce. You'll have years of debris stacked up in there. Besides, the garbage can would be a confined space that would make it difficult to aerate.

3 - I'm not sure about this one. The few extra squirrels that our compost attracts have never been an issue. Perhaps we have so few critters because we have a high brown:green ratio.

4 - Add considerable "brown matter". This includes dried leaves and general yard clippings. Including all of your grass clippings will aid considerably. Another thing you'll want to do is make sure that your compost doesn't go anaerobic. You want it to breathe - stir it up every month or so, then sprinkle it with the hose when it's hot out. Remember, you're trying to create a living ecosystem.

5 - Every month or so. You can do it every day if you'd like.

6 - Some things that are not usually recommended include pet feces, clumping clay kitty litter, meat, and cheese. Honestly, pet feces are great for the mix, as long as you don't mind the smell and allow them to decompose completely. Here's a list of things that are usually in our compost:
- grass clippings
- leaves
- other yard waste
- bunny poop
- neighbors' dog poop
- neighbors' horse manure
- bird-pecked or rotten fruits from our trees
- egg shells
- banana peels
- coffee grounds
- used tea bags
- odds and ends of vegetables, apple cores, orange peels, etc.
- moldy leftovers
- vegetable oils from frying
- steak, chicken, turkey, and pork bones
- napkins, sullied paper that can't be recycled

7 - If you want to minimize smell and animal infestations, I'd go for 80% brown, 20% green.

I was about to recommend the organic gardening website, but it looks like they've added a bunch of advertisements and downgraded their content since I last visited. Bummer.

05-31-2009, 09:25 PM	#2 (permalink)
genuinegirly Eat your vegetables Super Moderator Location: Arabidopsis-ville	1 - experiment with it. I've only had success with compost in heaps. I can never seem to get the balance right when I work in a confined space (though a horizontal oil drum that I could spin worked great until it rusted out). I like your concrete block lattice idea, anxious to see how it works out for you. 2 - A garbage can with holes doesn't seem like enough space for all of the yard waste that a typical home will produce. You'll have years of debris stacked up in there. Besides, the garbage can would be a confined space that would make it difficult to aerate. 3 - I'm not sure about this one. The few extra squirrels that our compost attracts have never been an issue. Perhaps we have so few critters because we have a high brown:green ratio. 4 - Add considerable "brown matter". This includes dried leaves and general yard clippings. Including all of your grass clippings will aid considerably. Another thing you'll want to do is make sure that your compost doesn't go anaerobic. You want it to breathe - stir it up every month or so, then sprinkle it with the hose when it's hot out. Remember, you're trying to create a living ecosystem. 5 - Every month or so. You can do it every day if you'd like. 6 - Some things that are not usually recommended include pet feces, clumping clay kitty litter, meat, and cheese. Honestly, pet feces are great for the mix, as long as you don't mind the smell and allow them to decompose completely. Here's a list of things that are usually in our compost: - grass clippings - leaves - other yard waste - bunny poop - neighbors' dog poop - neighbors' horse manure - bird-pecked or rotten fruits from our trees - egg shells - banana peels - coffee grounds - used tea bags - odds and ends of vegetables, apple cores, orange peels, etc. - moldy leftovers - vegetable oils from frying - steak, chicken, turkey, and pork bones - napkins, sullied paper that can't be recycled 7 - If you want to minimize smell and animal infestations, I'd go for 80% brown, 20% green. I was about to recommend the organic gardening website, but it looks like they've added a bunch of advertisements and downgraded their content since I last visited. Bummer. __________________ "Sometimes I have to remember that things are brought to me for a reason, either for my own lessons or for the benefit of others." Cynthetiq "violence is no more or less real than non-violence." roachboy Last edited by genuinegirly; 05-31-2009 at 09:31 PM..