Composting - Page 2

**pat mcgroin** · 09-20-2009, 05:39 PM

I havent composted in some time now.
Actually since I first moved back from FLA.
I miss the 9 months of warm temps.
Im glad to see that Simpswr mentioned moisture.
Depending on where you are that is very important.
Too much and you have smelly rot. Too little and you have a dry pile.
As he said it must be churned often either way.

Also while Im responing to this post I thought I would clarify something that I wrote above.
The lime is helpful in a compost pile in order to accelerate the decoposistion of organic material, but as stated above dont go crazy and start a fire.
A hand full of powdered lime every other week is plenty.
It is very helpful in breaking down pine needles.
Something else that I have "learnt" is that in my current environment in the Toledo area is that with many pine trees, grass has trouble growing under them due to the PH of the soil around them being acidic. Combine that with a clay based soil (also somewhat acidic)
I see that the lime helps to alter the PH and also helps to reduce the soil so that it doesnt "Clump" as hard.

Hey Simpswr I also found one other trick that you may be interested in.
Toss in a handful or two of blood meal to the pile.
The garden eating rodents "HATE IT"
You wont notice, but they can.
I have lots of squirrels and rabbits and things around and they dont even bother.
They walk right around.

PS if you have any possums kick a few for me.

wolfen1086 · 09-21-2009, 05:32 PM

I think there is still a possum somewhere in my compost pile :) but I just laid a 6" layer of pine needles on top this afternoon, so that outta keep it nice and cosy for a while, until I can add leaves and such.

09-20-2009, 05:39 PM	#21 (permalink)
pat mcgroin TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2009 Location: Toledo Oh. Posts: 628 OS: XP Professional SP2 Vista Ultimate SP2	Re: Composting I havent composted in some time now. Actually since I first moved back from FLA. I miss the 9 months of warm temps. Im glad to see that Simpswr mentioned moisture. Depending on where you are that is very important. Too much and you have smelly rot. Too little and you have a dry pile. As he said it must be churned often either way. Also while Im responing to this post I thought I would clarify something that I wrote above. The lime is helpful in a compost pile in order to accelerate the decoposistion of organic material, but as stated above dont go crazy and start a fire. A hand full of powdered lime every other week is plenty. It is very helpful in breaking down pine needles. Something else that I have "learnt" is that in my current environment in the Toledo area is that with many pine trees, grass has trouble growing under them due to the PH of the soil around them being acidic. Combine that with a clay based soil (also somewhat acidic) I see that the lime helps to alter the PH and also helps to reduce the soil so that it doesnt "Clump" as hard. Hey Simpswr I also found one other trick that you may be interested in. Toss in a handful or two of blood meal to the pile. The garden eating rodents "HATE IT" You wont notice, but they can. I have lots of squirrels and rabbits and things around and they dont even bother. They walk right around. PS if you have any possums kick a few for me.

09-21-2009, 05:32 PM	#22 (permalink)
wolfen1086 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Va Beach Posts: 260 OS: Win XP SP3	Re: Composting I think there is still a possum somewhere in my compost pile :) but I just laid a 6" layer of pine needles on top this afternoon, so that outta keep it nice and cosy for a while, until I can add leaves and such. __________________ I'm gonna rot ? yea I know, might as well smile in the mean time :)