The problem with composting.

[Woodznutz]

It takes a large amount of plant materials to yield a small amount of compost. The bright side is that a little compost goes a long way as it is very rich in nutrients. I harvest a huge amount of leaves in the fall and have several large lawns to harvest 'green' material, yet I only end up with about a cubic yard of finished compost from all of it. Still worth it however.

 

[Gabe Lackmann]

Compost piles are amazing little planets of life. You get a good pile stewing even snow won't settle on it. I remember when I was a kid we had a fairly large one every year.
One time, one of my mom's cats pissed my dad off. He unalived it as he was known to do with unruly animals. "Put that damned thing in the compost"
I put that cat in that compost pile. Damn thing was bones in days. Sumbitch would just sit an steam all winter.

 

[lg325]

Compost piles will attract pest. But it is worth doing.

 

[TroglocratsRdumb]

I mulch my lawn.
It saves a lot of work and it is good for the grass.
I also mulch the leaves instead of raking and bagging them.

 

[Votto]

Compost piles will attract pest. But it is worth doing.

You are telling me.

I started one once only to be visited by the HOA saying I was not allowed to do that

Blah, blah, blah, I said, and then shut the door in his face!!

 

[Woodznutz]

You are telling me.

I started one once only to be visited by the HOA saying I was not allowed to do that

Blah, blah, blah, I said, and then shut the door in his face!!

You shoulda killed him and composted him.

 

[Votto]

You shoulda killed him and composted him.

But I'm not a Lefty.

That is the burden of having morality and a conscience!!!

 

[Woodznutz]

But I'm not a Lefty.

That is the burden of having morality and a conscience!!!

I envision a cartoon where a neighbor asks if I have seen so-and-so. In the background is a compost pile with a foot sticking out of it.

 

[Carl in Michigan]

It takes a large amount of plant materials to yield a small amount of compost. The bright side is that a little compost goes a long way as it is very rich in nutrients. I harvest a huge amount of leaves in the fall and have several large lawns to harvest 'green' material, yet I only end up with about a cubic yard of finished compost from all of it. Still worth it however.

I mulch my leaves in the fall and reduce the volume to less than 10%> I don't compost, but mulched leaves and grAss clippings disappear very quickly

 

[Woodznutz]

I mulch my leaves in the fall and reduce the volume to less than 10%> I don't compost, but mulched leaves and grAss clippings disappear very quickly

. Depends on the amount and species of leaves.

 

[Carl in Michigan]

. Depends on the amount and species of leaves.

I just now then and give them back to th ground

 

[JohnDB]

Mulching is very different from composting.
Mulching can and will kill most lawns as it becomes thatch that chokes grass while increasing acid content that prevents the pH from becoming neutral. Meaning any fertilizers are worthless. The lawns weaken and die.

Composting requires seeding the bacteria culture with the correct bacteria, and moisture so it can fully function.

This can reduce the acid content....especially if treated with lawn lime if you get too many leaves in the mix.

But you definitely need starter cultures and moisture to get the full effect of composting.

 

[Woodznutz]

Mulching is very different from composting.
Mulching can and will kill most lawns as it becomes thatch that chokes grass while increasing acid content that prevents the pH from becoming neutral. Meaning any fertilizers are worthless. The lawns weaken and die.

Composting requires seeding the bacteria culture with the correct bacteria, and moisture so it can fully function.

This can reduce the acid content....especially if treated with lawn lime if you get too many leaves in the mix.

But you definitely need starter cultures and moisture to get the full effect of composting.

Adding bacteria can speed up the process but generally isn't necessary.

 

[JohnDB]

Adding bacteria can speed up the process but generally isn't necessary.

Well,
From my personal experience...
I had a composting pile that refused to compost.
It wasn't in a plastic barrel....just a small corral. I had raked up very old leaves, branches, and clippings from around the yard....even some rotten pecans went in there.
And it sat a whole year (even though I turned it once) and didn't degrade whatsoever.
So....
Last year,
I made sure it got plenty of moisture (was sitting on sandy, well draining soil) and kept it by placing an old shower curtain underneath it. I also added one wheelbarrow load of compost from another active compost pile (borrowed it from a friend) and a bunch of lawn lime.

Now (2 years after collection) it's elemental particles....everything is broken down into unrecognizable organic black mulch. Weeds are growing in it now. (Before they wouldnt)

So....where you are likely correct...I didn't want to spend the years waiting.

 

[toobfreak]

The bright side is that a little compost goes a long way

That's what my momma used to tell me.

 

[Woodznutz]

Well,
From my personal experience...
I had a composting pile that refused to compost.
It wasn't in a plastic barrel....just a small corral. I had raked up very old leaves, branches, and clippings from around the yard....even some rotten pecans went in there.
And it sat a whole year (even though I turned it once) and didn't degrade whatsoever.
So....
Last year,
I made sure it got plenty of moisture (was sitting on sandy, well draining soil) and kept it by placing an old shower curtain underneath it. I also added one wheelbarrow load of compost from another active compost pile (borrowed it from a friend) and a bunch of lawn lime.

Now (2 years after collection) it's elemental particles....everything is broken down into unrecognizable organic black mulch. Weeds are growing in it now. (Before they wouldnt)

So....where you are likely correct...I didn't want to spend the years waiting.

Whatever works. I leave my piles on bare ground so the microbes and worms can get into it a do their thing. Incorporating enough green/nitrogenous matter is important. This is what gives it heat.

I use last falls chopped up leaves that I have kept dry and this spring's fresh grass clippings, well mixed and watered, in wire cages about four feet across and two feet high. I mix them about 3 parts leaves and 1 part grass. I then cover the pile with plastic. I stick a compost thermometer into the center and have heat within a few hours. I turn the pile into another cage every three weeks or so to check the progress and moisture level. The pile will be ready for use next spring and summer. I then screen out the junk through 1/2' x 1/2' hardware cloth, place in five-gallon pails for use wherever I need it.

 

[Clipper]

I buy compost from my local recycling center that recycles green waste for $2 for a 40lb bag. I got a gash in my hand that bled like a s.o.b. when I ran my hand thru it because some idiot threw a hunk of glass in with his green waste & the center missed it. Now I wear heavy gloves when I deal with it.

 

[Woodznutz]

Compost piles will attract pests.

I know. The neighbors always want some of my compost.