Madeja look! HAHA! I couldn't resist. I just couldn't... Yea, so, anyway, I turned my compost pile on Monday. It's the first real turn it's had since I started it last May (the bottom pallet shown in that post was removed some time ago). This was one of those projects I knew needed to be done, but procrastinated on because it seemed like a pain in the butt to do. Sheesh, silly me... Cool weather and working in the shade made for easy work, and I finished in a little over an hour.
I have the bin hidden behind the orange tree so it can't be seen from the house...
I didn't have space to make multiple bins without it becoming obvious that it's there, but it was no biggie to move since nothing is growing back there anyway...
When I started the compost pile, I started with grass clippings and shredded paper. I had my landscapers add grass clippings throughout the summer, then leaves at the beginning of fall--but then had them stop because they were also adding sticks and seeds. I tried to get out what I could, but I wasn't too picky...
Since I hadn't ever turned the pile, there were lots of grass clumps and slimy chunks of leaves that I had to break up and spread throughout the pile (thank goodness for gloves). Then I put everything back, and watered as I went...
Oh! I was able to pull a lot of worms and add them to my beds. The LO was my transporter. That's what the dump truck in the first pic was for--he loved it!
Hopefully I'll have something useful to use for, oh, my fall crops, maybe?
I have clumps of grass in 3 of my bins, and just lay them out to dry very well - then crumble up with my hands.
ReplyDeleteWorms are an excellent sign of healthy compost-to-be. With warmer days ahead, you should have no trouble having finished compost for fall planting. An extra turn of the pile in 6-8 weeks should help speed it along too.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the compost! I wish I could do some, but I'm not pushing my luck with the man.
ReplyDeleteEG~You're very patient with your compost...
ReplyDeleteCVF~Thanks for the 6-8 week turning heads up. I'll mark my calendar!
Ribbit~I was only able to convince DH because it's totally hidden, it wouldn't smell (which it doesn't) and the pallets were pretty much free (I think I paid the guy $10 or $15 to deliver and unload the heavy things).
I have been neglecting my compost pile ever since I started it last August. I really need to tackle it this weekend. There might be precious black gold in there and I don't even know it.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't try to hide it too much. In my opinion, compost pile can actually be sort of pretty in a garden space.
Thomas~The compost pile is the latest in gardening fashion, ya' know HA! I'd show mine proudly if, like I said to Ribbit, DH would let me...
ReplyDelete