Post in How to start a compost pile

May 06 17:08 UTC

And it's handy to have one compost chamber bin to hold the composting
materials. That's always helpful.  Like, build two chambers side-by-
side.  In one chamber would be the compost, and in the other would be
the materials you'll add to the compost.  So all you have to do is
reach over, grab the stuff and add it on.

There are also "proper" ways to do composting so as to discourage
those critters that some call rodents.  The internet is full of
ideas.  So much to read, so little time.

I have gotten free pallets from SPC Office Products on Douglas Avenue
(near A Farmer's Wife and Gordon's Jewelers).

And if you're going to eventually use the compost on edible plants,
you don't want to be using treated wood.  Herrera's Lumber in Sapello
has slab lumber for really cheap (505-264-5265, 505-760-5223).

pat leahan

On May 6, 2008, at 10:38 AM, erin ambrose wrote:

hey there....there as many ways to compost as there
are humans doing it but heres some of my
tricks....which are of the sloooow composting
variety...

  wood pallets make a nice secure and quick enclosure,
they allow for ventilation and the front one can swing
open when its time to turn the pile!

i do a casserole type compost pile, the layers being
3-5"carbon (leaves, weeds ect.) 3-5"kitchen waste and
then a few inches of dirt (i mix dirt and a bit of
aged manure) to keep the smell and flies under control
then start again with carbon. the very very bottom of
the pile should include some sticks or old sunflower
stalks or the like to encourage venting from the
bottom.keep building the casserole over time, water it
now and then to keep it moist but not soggy, layer til
about 4 feet high at least then when its seems to be
shrinking a bit ...give it a turn. in turning get the
inside out and outside in.

another good thing about pallets is when the first
pile is built and turning you can add pallets on in a
row to make the next pile to build.

some folks are of the mind that in ground composting
is better in the high desert...can't argue with that,
but the casserole is what i've always done...so i'm
stickin' w/ it.

i'd also suggest building the pile near or under a
tree or tall bushy things as its an environment more
conducive to micro-organism, composting type activity.

good luck!