Composting- what to do?
+5
Ok been trying the compost thing & doing research on how to do this better. Been going to a local coffee shop and getting coffee grounds and adding eggshells, banana peels, but not sure if it's going well hoping it's not going bad and I need to restart cause it starts to look like going rotten hoping someone can tell me what to do and if what I already started is still OK and I need to add the Browns like I research abt!?
This is the container that I been using!
It looks good Heather. If it's started rotting then all those lovely chemicals have started doing their bit. If it starts going sludgy, then there's too much moisture and I would leave the lid off for a bit. You could also add paper, cardboard, dry leaves or dry grass clippings. The ideal mixture should be moist but not wet and have an earthy odor.
The only things you must not forget to do is to turn the whole heap over after 6 months and when it is dry, water the compost heap. No meat and no sick plants on there. If you avoid to put branches in there, you can use half of your heap already after a year.
Hi Heather! You have a good start but I think what you need to do is to get a container of some type where your "fixings" get more air and add green grass clippings, leaves, etc. rather than so much moist material. Then use a stick or rake to turn the entire batch every week or 10 days. And be patient!
Michelle has headed you in the right direction. There should be more brown matter than green otherwise it turns stinky. Brown matter is chopped dry leaves or grass, shredded cardboard or paper. Using a bucket does not allow earthworms to find your compost. You want earthworms. Using your bucket idea if you cut the bottom out and placed it on the soil the worms will find their way in. Periodically you can grab the handle and lift the bucket. Scoop everything up and put it back in the bucket. That way everything gets mixed up and allows air to discourage that stinky anaerobic bacteria. Open bottom also prevents too much water in the bucket that makes it smell bad and could attract mosquitoes.
The stinky stuff you have is fine to keep going, just add the brown matter and make some changes in technique. The smell will go away.
The material in your bucket looks wet. A closed container will compost but the process will be anaerobic like a septic tank. Your bucket needs MANY holes poked or drilled in all sides. Better yet make an open sided container from stacked wood or metal fencing. The container can be any size, but the contents should not be stacked higher than 3 1/2 ft. You should turn the compost pile once a week, and add water if needed due to dry weather. http://www.compost-info-guide.com/beginner_guide.htm
Hi Heather - So awesome you started composting! Here's a great article on the composting 101 to reference. Good luck! Hugs, Holly
https://pinkfortitude.com/composting/