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Ohio

Whats some ideas for getting ''green'' for the compost pile this time of year, I have alot of leaves in the bend but not enough green to get it cooking. Cant cut my lawn for grass, already did that last week for the final time. maybe Ill go cut the neighbors lawn for ghits and siggles. lol.

11/4/2008 8:36:40 AM

Roselle, IL GJGEM@sbcglobal.net

A couple 50lb bags of alfalfa meal should do it. It will get so hot you can lose a body in there

11/4/2008 8:50:48 AM

and trust me,,,these guys from near Chicago know alot about getting rid of bodies ;-)

11/4/2008 9:08:18 AM

Upstate S.C.

LOL, now thats funny unkadan.

11/4/2008 9:17:32 AM

Ohio

lol! Good idea George, Im pretty sure the sell that at most any feed Mill . How about crack corn in powder form, would that be considered a green or a brown?

11/4/2008 10:34:52 AM

southwest MO

Throw in a 50 of cotton seed and a 50 of soybean to. Add a couple 40lb sacks of powdered Calcitic lime to.

11/4/2008 12:08:34 PM

Roselle, IL GJGEM@sbcglobal.net

Yeah, I got the recipe from Al Capone's vault.. I have not come up with anything to hide the stench. You live in the country right? It will stink.

11/4/2008 4:59:38 PM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

Alfalfa pellets bro, layer the leaves, then a small layer, wet it down and continue....in 2-3 days it will be smoking.

11/4/2008 5:57:20 PM

Ohio

Anyone ever put organic blood meal(12%N) in a compost pile to get it going?
I read of people putting Urea in there compost pile also to get it cooking, but Im gonna stay away from any type chemicals in my compost.

11/4/2008 6:03:33 PM

Ohio

Im gonna get me a couple bags of alfalfa pellets. My compost is starting to cool down a little after turning it off and on for the last month and Im gonna need something to get it going again.

11/4/2008 6:07:41 PM

Seattle, WA

I like alfalfa meal personally, but all the suggestions on here are good!

11/4/2008 10:42:28 PM

South East

Urea is used by mushroom growers Brooks. It wil get your pile going no doubt. The nitrogen levels wil go thrue the roof though.

11/4/2008 11:38:44 PM

southwest MO

Blood meal is great but its pricey... If thats not an issue fish meal reeeeeeeaaaaal good. feather meal is good too if there is a supply around you.

11/5/2008 5:33:48 PM

Ireland

I,ve used fish blood and bone meal for my compost, and, will empty my heaps this season for 2009.
There should be enough for 2 good sized beds. Mushroom compost is toooooooo strong and needs to be leached for at least 1 full season before using

11/11/2008 2:32:45 PM

Coventry R.I.

Dan just read your post,,, they sure do from Chicago,,,,,,,,, lol

11/11/2008 3:15:43 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

George, alfalfa meal....does feed grade work. or does it need to be the organic soil amendment type of alfalfa meal? Thanks... Peace, Wayne

12/3/2008 12:46:17 AM

Gays Mills, Wisconsin

Eddie,
I have used mushroom compost in the past (I just spread it on the dirt and work it in to break down), sometimes I put it on pretty heavy. There are different types of mushroom compost some with manure, sawdust, cottonseed hulls, etc..
The cottonseed hull compost seems to break down pretty good and add tilth to the soil. I never had it tested for its properties but I've grown some good pumpkins where I had it. If anyone knows the properties of different mushroom composts please link me up. They grow oyster mushrooms on what I use. John

12/3/2008 12:42:04 PM

Roselle, IL GJGEM@sbcglobal.net

Wayne, I get 50lb bags from the feed store. The other stuff would work too but anytime you put amendment next to anything it will cost a lot more $

12/3/2008 4:23:02 PM

Buffalo, new York, USA

Gave my pile its weekly turning this AM.Added some more Alfalfa pellets and water to keep it somkin!

12/3/2008 7:53:41 PM