Thread: Composting

Originally Posted by DZEC

Given the weather we have experienced in Niagara lately, if your pile is in a sunny spot, it certainly could dry out quickly. A new compost heap hasn’t built up sufficient mass to maintain its moisture Level. When it looks dry, give it a good misting from the hose and keep adding vegetable matter. In my experience, when it’s deep enough, the bottom layers will stay pretty damp.

Thank you for the tip! I’ll keep at it.

Lucky for me that there is a huge compost place nearby. I can pick up a yard of beautiful compost for under $25.

A compost heap will start to develop heat in a matter of days and will benefit from periodic misting, don't drown it just keep if damp. If it completely drys out it can always be revived. I put a piece of old light colored carpet over the top of my pile, not sure it helps.

Originally Posted by boz

A compost heap will start to develop heat in a matter of days and will benefit from periodic misting, don't drown it just keep if damp. If it completely drys out it can always be revived. I put a piece of old light colored carpet over the top of my pile, not sure it helps.

I am using an earth machine branded composter. It’s a black plastic cylinder with a lid which I am keeping closed with the venting on high I really mixed and added water last night the bottom was bone dry. Hopefully that kick starts things.

I put 3 good pallets together to form a 3 sided bin, we put dirt leaves, grass clipping vegetables plant pruning everything in it, front is open. I have a mini tiller that I go in there every now and then and turn it up.its 1/2 full now but it’s been full, makes for a great garden, we have several raised beds I top off every year out of our compost pile.

In the fall I get a couple barrels of horse manure that’s composted down to add to the beds and compost pile. My tomatoes are proof of success. Many ways to compost, mines pretty simple, plus the pallets let in fresh air around the sides