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Kentucky, U.S.A.

I have a large pile and a small bin. I'm a little slow getting even the small bin to heat up. How moist should it be? I got some feed grade mollasis and sprayed it on pretty heavy. Do I just need more green manure?
BSD, David

12/9/2012 6:30:48 PM

Upa Creek, Mo

I think I read you want a 4:1 ratio of brown (carbon) to green (nitrogen). There are some good sites for basics of composting, but I'm in the same boat trying to make it work over winter rather than a year. I'm about a 10:1 ratio of leaves to green now, but am adding coffee grounds from work daily. What's the large pile of? Leaves will break down much more in size than manure will so the small bin could work.

12/10/2012 9:53:41 AM

Omaha, Ne.

herea go everything you ever wanted to know a bout composting.

http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/soil/

12/10/2012 5:00:16 PM

South Hero, VT

Don't make coffee grounds any more than about 25% of your compost pile. Here's a good article on the subject:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080707171641.htm

Here's how Norm Gansert does it: My compost pile consists of lasts years garden, all plants pumpkin,tomato,sunflowers..The weeds that came out of my garden at end of season..All the grass clippings from two neighbors and also all their leaves.. I mixed in 2 pick up loads of cow manure and two loads of horse manure..I have a half ton truck so at most 2 yrds a load..I try and turn the pile every two weeks and every time I turn it I add 3 to 6 lbs of blood meal.. Nothing to scientific here, so far it seems to help..Hope I was of some help....
Norm

12/10/2012 7:49:34 PM

Piqua, Ohio

try a few pounds of urea, and cover with clear plastic

12/10/2012 7:55:17 PM

Upa Creek, Mo

Thanks guys. Interesting Norm composts his plants too. I have been tempted, but never have in my couple years growing.

12/10/2012 8:26:45 PM

Mnt.pleasant ,tennessee

Not on ag but have always composted plants back into ground.the way i see it is the plant has taken minerals & made what it needs.so the plant is nuthing but what it needs.i actually pulled my 30'×100' patch of gourd vines for compost.letem dry& tilled into ground.

12/10/2012 8:43:19 PM

Kentucky, U.S.A.

Thanks! I've read some of the resources, but always forget what I read when I get around to doing it! I've got one of the girls at the hospital cafeteria helping me out with about five pounds of grinds a day! Checked the small bin this evening before adding more grinds and could feel the heat!!! Plus, I could see steam in the dark of evening!
We're on the right track. Thanks, again. BSD, David

12/10/2012 9:28:44 PM

Kentucky, U.S.A.

Sorry Luke, I didn't answer your question....Yes it is leaves, about 150 bags!

12/10/2012 9:35:18 PM

Polson, Montana

Last year I took my tractor w/loader and pushed all the hay and manure around where the cattle hay feeder had been into big piles. Boy, was it cooking. You could see the steam rising. Added whatever I wanted leaves, kitchen fodder etc. and it all composted. Had to watch it keep it from getting too hot. Piles were turned on a regular basis.

12/11/2012 9:52:27 AM

Partlow,Va

urea.....thanks Josh. Years ago when I was a young buck I remember when we filled our silo with corn sileage we added 1 bag of Urea to each load. I always thought the reason was to keep the sileage from getting too hot.??? Gotta go research Urea now !

2/1/2013 8:02:16 PM

Kentucky, U.S.A.

I'll have to study the Urea, also. My small bin is doing well, but I have the large(60ft X 10ft)pile is open and mostly uncovered.

2/2/2013 10:27:17 AM

Colorado

You Can get Urea at almost any auto parts stores now, They call it "Diesel Exhaust Fluid" its just liquid urea to help lower emmissions on the new Diesels, Atleast I think its the same stuff............maybe I should go double check....LOL

2/2/2013 11:06:30 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

Have followed Norm's composting practices for a few years, and sorta thinkin that most folks problems, come from what Norm does best...add Oxygen to the pile...Norm turns his by hand!!!!! All life needs air!!! Peace, Wayne
PS...LOL Evandy, don't think I would be adding diesel fuel addivitives to my compost pile!!!! Way funny tho!!! LOL

2/3/2013 1:13:35 AM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

Actually Wayne, the 32.5% urea solution used for diesel engines is injected into the exhaust stream after the catalyst and diesel particulate filter to further reduce emissions of NOx. It is indeed a lower concentration in liquid form of the same urea we use on our patches and lawns.

2/3/2013 7:54:33 AM

Kentucky, U.S.A.

Wayne, bring you turning fork down! We'll turn alittle and talk alot, get a few dog kisses!

2/3/2013 2:56:10 PM

Omaha, Ne.

hey Wayne's back!! Good to hear from ya again!

2/3/2013 4:16:26 PM