Jubilee Farm

compost.. food scraps pile

What will be the most effective and easiest way for this city girl to start a compost/food scraps pile outside? I know my grandma just had a pile she put it in, so it wasn't really "compost" that she could use later. I think DH's mom just took it to a spot by the garden and dumped it. Not sure that is the best either. I have a bucket of scraps ready to go. Spinning Grandma mentioned not putting in meat scraps. Can you tell me why on that and what else to NOT put in. I appreciate the information, this is just the beginning of the questions I am sure. So we are starting with garbage :)  Next will be home to get my well that is still settling to stop giving me brown water !!!!

Melanie

compost

{ 08:34, 2006-Feb-28 } { Posted by happyowl }

Hi there, composting is near and dear to my heart. My dad is a master composter and I have three in my backyard. I will try to answer your questions as best as I can.

The rule of thumb for composting is if it "comes from the earth, it goes back to the earth". Putting meat or dairy products in the composter will only attract animals and bugs you don't want in them. It will also smell really, really bad.

My first composter was made out of free skids and sreen door netting. We have lots of factories in my area that gives skids away. I used 4 skids, just nailed together and took some screening to put on the top as a lid.

My next composter was a plastic rain barrel that had frozen in the winter( somebody forgot to totally empty it but I'm not mentioning any names) . We cut the bottom off and had a composter all ready to go. It was a little hard to turn the compost in this one though.

This fall I took my kids on a field trip to the local landfill site and they were giving away those really cool black composters. I know in Canada to buy them they are $80 and up.

I hope some of these suggestions help.

Heather- easternprariegirl

Composting

{ 09:06, 2006-Feb-28 } { Posted by wannabeone }

DITTO on everything happyowl said!

Plus, if you go to www.plowandhearth.com they have a compost container, that's not a sight for sore eyes, there.

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

Hi Homestead Friend!

{ 10:32, 2006-Feb-28 } { Posted by rosehillranch }

Wow! You sure ask good questions! I will be watching for these answers. As you know, hubby is building our compost enclosure today.....as far as food scraps....we give the dogs and cats some of our meat scraps (when I remember). DH's mom used to take all the food scraps from dinner and dump them out by the field edge, too, like yours. So there is a difference in food scraps as compared to vegetable peeling scraps saved specifically for your compost, as someone has already mentioned......Hope the article I linked you to helps! I have a lot to learn in this area, as well. xo Jeani

Vermicomposting

{ 10:47, 2006-Feb-28 } { Posted by Katiecakes }

I have to recommend vermicomposting or worm composting too. I've been keeping a worm bin for several years now and just love it. I keep my worm bin indoors and don't have to use precious little yard space for it (currently I'm a small town homesteader). Check out happydranch.com and the book "Worms Eat My Garbage"

worm composting

{ 12:51, 2006-Feb-28 } { Posted by happyowl }

ohhh, I have wanted to do that forever. The only problem I am having is finding the worms. It seems that they don't grow in Canada( commercially anyways) and you have to order them from Florida or somewhere like that. It seemed like a big rigamarole but for sure this summer it will be accomplished!!! I don't think it's fair to the worms to bring them to Canada in the winter....lol, come to think of it, is it fair to anyone to bring them to Canada in the winter?????

Heather

Edited by happyowl on 2006-Feb-28 at 12:51

composting

{ 09:19, 2006-Mar-11 } { Posted by marmieto12 }

My DH is a master composter..He uses the grass clippings, leaves, manure from cleaning the barn and chicken coop. He mixes in a pile directly on the ground. He wets this luscious mixture and covers with a plastic tarp. Every few days he stirs and keeps it moist. It does not take long and there is minimal cost for the tarp.
Our scraps are generally given to the animals and chickens will eat anything.
During the winter when DH cleans the barn (cow and goats), he throws all of that into the tilled garden. He continues this and will till if possible. We do get a February thaw (small window) and tills for sure then.
In March, (our last freeze is May15) he broadcasts pea seeds and they are ready to harvest just prior to the big planting. He tills in the green, while we shell and process the peas.
May 15 we plant the summer crops and start to compost.
We have not had any animal (varmit) problems with this method. We do have many worms that live in the compost.