3 Reasons Your Compost Pile Is Going Cold or Not Heating Up

[@MIgardener]

Quick correction = I meant 27 cubic feet of compost. By brain wasn't up for math at 7am. 3' x 3' x 3'

[@agostobloj]

also, PLASE, translate to the units we use in the rest of the world!! 27 cubic feet (according google) is about 0.76m3

[@beware_the_moose]

which is basically just short of a metre by a metre by a metre.

[@whiskers1978]

It's also a yard by a yard by a yard thus a cubic yard

[@killuminatepeacefulness3948]

MIgardener | Simple Organic Gardening & Sustainable Living. Luke. Do u think if I start saving the little runners from my strawberry plant, I can keep them in my house through the winter until next year?? Unfortunately I have a all container garden. Soo it's hard to over winter anything outside. I was also thinking about keeping a little greenhouse inside to keep them safe and comfortable.

[@shawncope110]

Thank you for this vid i have been adding to the same pile in stead of making a new one turning every 2-3 days it worked but not very well thank you we love your vids

[@tennesseenana4838]

I've been watching lots of videos about composting since I've never done it before, This one is the first I've heard that says NOT to add anything new to an already composting pile. Best advice ever!!!

[@schwam6]

1. size of pile 0:55 2. Not flipping it enough 3:15 3. Not enough water/ to dry 6:33 BONUS: adding to an already finished pile 9:00

[@chrisferrario1540]

jon smith love this Cliff’s version with time stamp!Thanks

[@SJ-xr1wk]

thanks for the summary!!

[@joequillun7790]

@@SJ-xr1wk X2 on that. :)

[@JEvrist]

“Too” dry

[@EquipmentReviewer]

Some heroes don't wear capes thanks!

[@christineroulin9518]

I know this is an old video and you're probably not going to see this comment, but I still wanted to say that - even though I've watched a lot of gardening videos, also about composting - this is the first video that really helped me understand what I've been doing wrong and what I should be doing instead. Thank you so much for this!! Greetings from Belgium

[@careya]

I think my compost pile was done composting, and I kept adding grass to it wondering why it wasn’t heating up again. This is the first video I have seen talk about this, and I have watched a ton of composting videos. Thank you very much.

[@villagehardcore2772]

Some composting videos focus too much on explaining the science, and others use only pain english in an attempt to be accessible.... this video was a good balance of both. I like the analogies you use as they aid in comprehension and act as mnemonic devices. As someone familiar with fermentation but not composting, the science made sense to me. Great job!

[@steph7614]

Finally found a video that answers the question of whether or not you should continue to add to a pile. I have been ready to get started, but couldn't understand how I would separate the finished product from working parts. (If watching you didn't catch that part, the answer is no, do not continue to add. Start a new pile) Thank you!

[@MFP0666]

Hello friend. You should know this video answered at least 3 questions I had, today in 2023.

[@vajra0765]

How to compost in tumbler composters video Luke.That would be helpful for us who have paper size lots on cities who cannot have a compost pile.

[@davidschmidt270]

Hey MIGARDNER I watched your last video about scoring some free coffee grounds from Starbucks and I literally just came back from there after calling them.... totally free.... I'm all excited because I always here how great it is but I don't drink coffee.....heck yeah thanks bro.... don't forget we appreciate you and your helpful advice 🎉🎉🎉💥💥💥💯💯💯👏👏👏👏🍻🍻🍻✨

[@myjunkmail007]

You're lucky. My local coffee shops won't give them up. I tried twice this past summer and fall. I'm guessing due to covid, a CYA kinda thing.

[@theacguy9546]

I have watched 100 videos about compost and this is the only one that got straight to the heart of the matter thank you

[@gabrielbayley4247]

4th year composting right now and this is such a great video... just started flipping mine that I started this spring as it was starting to cool down. my set up is 3 bins side by side, each about the same size as yours... which makes easy to flip as I just move it from one bin to the next rather than pulling it out to stir and return to the same bin. people often ask if it smells and I always tell them that if your compost smells then you are doing it wrong

[@rickparshall]

Gabriel Bayley lol some people think dirt smells bad... 😂I personally love the smell of good dirt!!

[@yes350yes]

Nice compost info-- not sure about the soap opera intro music. Certainly piles will compost as in cold composting but to hot compost you will need a balance of green material for the microbes /bacteria to feed on and multiply. This can be anything from manures, food scraps[no meat], or even rabbit food pellets which I use to initiate piles, since I dont get enough food scraps as most of my scraps go into my worm bins.

[@larrypadilla8706]

Thanks for the tips, man. I made the mistake of continuing to add material after the pile had already broken down. Now I have compost with random other material in it.

[@joanhelenak]

Your videos keep getting better and better. I really noticed how much you slowed down your speech cadence to be better understood. Great job, I'm looking forward to more!

[@MIgardener]

I didn't notice, but thanks! :)

[@mr.greenjeans8323]

Sometimes Luke does talk pretty fast

[@dman7857]

Just flipped my pile after watching the video and started a new pile to add daily scraps to. I was adding to my large bin and it was filled. When I flipped my pile I noticed the inside was dark black and full of worms but the outside was intact. Thank you so much for the awesome video!!

[@Samanthaf420]

Your efforts in providing the abundance of quality information you put into this vidja is still earning ya subs nearly 2 yrs later

[@rickparshall]

I like your Arms Family Homestead shirt!! I have my compost set up in stages.. 8x8 for raw, 8x8 for second stage and area for finished compost that wheelbarrow can get to easily... it is incorporated into the chickens run.. THEY LOVE IT, the second stage I add sprouting grains and grass clippings into which heats up a bit again and the sprouts keep chickens interested in working it..(yup they earn their food😁 turning the piles and adding extra nitrogen (and usually scattering the piles EVERYWHERE..had to add little walls out of boards to contain each stage) the finished product takes around 3-4weeks and is BEAUTIFUL!!! Cool setup

[@rickparshall]

I also incorporate the rabbit waste into second stage which usually has a lot of worms in it.. chickens love scratching around in rabbit poop

[@susanebrown-yp5ny]

Thank you This helps me. I was continually adding food scraps to my pile. Also it got rained on too much.

[@rosemcommm]

I have a lot of leaves, old/rain damaged hay from farmers, and woodchips - so a lot of browns. I add feather meal (12-0-0) to my piles and they get crazy hot. I find it's easier to gather brown material in bulk and then just add an organic fertilizer (like feather meal) when you want to create a pile. It's a lot easier than trying to get enough green material (food scraps, grass clippings, etc...) together at once. A 50# bag of feather meal is enough to break down two or three 4x4x4 welded wire rings worth of material. This breaks down to about 2x4x4 or ~30 cu/ft. 75-100 cu/ft total. Well worth the $50. If possible add soil to your compost pile (10%) to help capture all that nitrogen you're adding.

[@MIgardener]

It is definitely easier to add lots of brown material.

[@kinremnant4616]

Heard from one of the Ted videos that shredding up leaves and composting them is what a lot of people do in Eastern Countries (ex Europe etc). Mentioned that adding other things slow down the process. The idea of it is that it is what Forest naturally does to keep the ground fertile. Also mentioned that most people use a leaf blower wrong and that it has the ability to be reversed. Sucking in Leaves and shredding them to compost later. Something interesting I am planning to experiment with. :)

[@nancywebb6549]

I think straw is considered a green.

[@OskyPinamar]

I just turned my compost pile today! Thank you for such valuable experiential information.

[@YasChosenChild_70]

Thank you so much! That explained so much! I have 1 pile-DONE, & didn’t know what to do! Lol So now I know! I’ve actually made compost & didn’t realize it! You’re a great Teacher! 👍❤️

[@selamewnetu4975]

The starting music makes me calm down to listen to your class😄👍

[@erinwatts5285]

Thanks for the tips! I didn't know I had to add water to it and that's why it's just sitting there doing nothing even though I was flipping it. I'll try adding a little water every other day because we are still having 100 degree days here in southern Oregon and my pile always looks so dry

[@tracycrider7778]

Keep it moist, it will break down faster

[@poochie49]

Very well explained. I have been adding scraps to my compost pile every few weeks. Now I know it is better to start a new one. Thanks.

[@rawbug1]

This was extremely helpful. I am about to start a compost pile this week, my first one ever, and this video was very helpful. Thank you!!

[@leonarddavis3684]

I started my second bin about 3 weeks ago, I usually make a full pot of coffee, but i don't drink it all, I use this to keep my compose moist.

[@Mindscry]

Sorry, you drink like a cup and dump the rest on your compost? I've used the grounds and the filters, but hadn't heard about the actual coffee. New to this.

[@leonarddavis3684]

@@Mindscry No, I make a full pot, but if we don't drink all of it, there may be a cup or 2 left. I put that in my compost.

[@highlandscommunityclub1160]

You hit the nail on the head of my composting problem ...I will stop adding to it!! Thank you!!

[@anilkapur1584]

The topic has been well covered, the four basic points to make sure that one does not go wrong while making a compost. Thank you very much!

[@roekinn]

What would one look for in order to know when to stop adding new matter to an existing compost pile? 🙏‍🙂

[@franktse8521]

That last tip was great. I always add the daily kitchen scraps to the pile, and it just slows thing down to a crawl.

[@johndavis7992]

YOUR VIDEO WAS VERY HELP FULL GRASS CUTTINGS ON TO THE COMPOST WITH 2 X FOUR LTS OF WATER AND IT WAS VERY HOT IT WAS STEAMING AFTER ONE WEEK.

[@wednesdaynotifications1460]

I dont know what i do, but i add leaves in a 30Gallon drum, start adding food scraps, add water, and it just seems to heat up. The more i think about it, the more it doenst heat up. But i also just let my compost piles decompose. Cold compost piles break down much faster in a 30 gallon drum, than most people think. If you want to help speed it along, add some potting media, and mix it in. Nice black gold in a month and a half.

[@davidsprofitt]

I agree with you. I'd have to be a family of 30 to come up with 27 cubic feet of compostable materials

[@MIgardener]

there is always grass clippings and leaves that add bulk.

[@carolhartley5982]

​@@MIgardenerBut I don't have a big lawn anymore to provide grass clippings, and where I live, leaves fall in autumn and hang on tight to the branches the rest of the year, once they've grown again in spring.

[@willzedman1717]

Best information on composting I've ever seen

[@hawkblacc1795]

Best explanation I’ve watched so far on composting & composting mistakes 💯💪🏿🤓🌱

[@jennifertaylor9733]

Right on time! Need more seeds for late summer and fall gardens. Any new recipes?

[@moviemavenmommy]

Thanks for showing HOW to flip a compost pile. This was exactly what I needed to understand

[@SAMATOZ2]

I recently bought a 'compost corkscrew' to turn my compost and it works a treat. Cost less than $20. Now I turn my compost every couple of days, takes 5 minutes and little effort.

[@mrgruffy4499]

I find that the same thing happens when I leave tea and coffee grounds in a 5-gal bucket for a few days. When I turn the grounds to bring in oxygen, the grounds are warm, and give off a bit of water vapor. (Steam is too hot to be visible. What you see are tiny drops of water vapor). And the coffee grounds have already broken down to a moist powder. Why not put the grounds outside? It's December. I do put the grounds in my compost pile during summer. I have my washing machine and a lavatory in my shop. I drain waste water from these onto my compost to keep it damp. I put most of my fallen leaves in bottomless 55 gal barrels. In winter, I take the water from my shop lavatory, and pour it into these barrels to help the leaves settle, but not to pack tightly. These were my trash burn barrels after the bottoms have rusted away.

[@thetacountry4487]

Does a compost bin need to be in the sun or does it not matter?

[@amandajeanlimabean4602]

Great video! I've finished my first compost batches this year and have more "cooking". I would love to see a video on how you incorporate the finished compost into the garden.

[@thetacountry4487]

AmandaJean LimaBean me too

[@xtreamvex]

Its really easy just add to your garden. I used it when I set up my garden for the season or when I turn the dirt, I add at then.

[@annedavid9267]

I've watched this video a few times already and I keep coming back to it every now and then to make sure I' doing the right thing and I always learn something new. Thank you.

[@daifuruta581]

Such an informative video, I see ants inside of my compost bin in the summer time and I wonder if ants do any good to the compost? I wonder if ants attack warms?

[@fergusdangerfield156]

Thanx for another superb video. Do you think I could use barley straw as a carbon source for my compost heap? Not on it's own of course, but with other brown material . Many thanx.

[@ariefbudianto8391]

For me, it's quite an aerobic exercise to turn 3x3 compost pile every week. Especially if the materials are wet and slimy..😀

[@btgmlk1]

Also if you are in need of compost now, you can start a pile, and then every 2 days flip it. It will take about 18 days to 22 days to have ready to use compost. By flipping it the every 2 days it keeps that o2 up like you said and keeps the temps right up around that 160F degree mark it needs to be. At about the 18th day it should be down around 120F and should be cooling off because its finishing.

[@NiaLin]

I plan to start composting. Been researching, etc, so this info was very helpful! Also, yesterday I sowed some of the seeds I bought from you recently. So excited to watch them grow! Thanks for always giving us info we really need.

[@MIgardener]

You will do great composting!

[@shanepasha6501]

You did a good job in explaining how to administer a successful compost operation. Thanks.

[@sellaput]

I have an off topic question but hopefully you or one of your followers can answer. Question, how do you reverse the negative effects and aftermath of tilling wood chips 6 to 10 inches beneath the surface. Here’s what I did. Last fall (2107) I tilled my wood chips into my 80 ft. X 60 ft garden, this was before I knew any better and that the wood chips consumed nitrogen underground and it was pretty much the Worst thing I could do to my once healthy and nutrient rich soil. My garden is mainly tomato’s, peppers peas, cucumbers, celery and lettuce. This growing season I suffered the consequences of my mistake. All of my plants stayed alive but they barley grew and most plants did not produce any fruits, for example the tomato plants that did produce literally had 2 to 5 tomatoes all season. Any suggestions on how to speed up and reverse the negative effects caused by the underground wood chips?

[@tracycrider7778]

Add plenty of clover cover crops! It will help with the nitrogen loss & speed compost

[@dianelakata1308]

And suggestions for caring for a compost pile in the winter? We have tons of leaves and grass clippings filling 3 bins (3 bins for rotating!). It is also mixed with discarded chicken coop bedding. Should it be turned during the cold months? The stuff is really heavy!!

[@tracycrider7778]

Yes so you can get air into the pile

[@donnajoacrey2699]

Your tips are excellent, clear and easy to understand, I'm in the beginning stages of starting my compost pile, so this was perfectly timed for me lol! Thanks so much! Love your channel!

[@MIgardener]

Thanks a million!

[@adolfocontreras1716]

Thanks, you answered my question, which was when do I stop adding to the same pile.

[@trendane]

Hey there, Luke! In our back yard, we have a huge spruce which has, over the last decade or so, dumped a fair bit of its needles and such onto the ground. A great deal of it has been there for years and, while I know that coniferous leaves and such will make the soil more acidic, at what point will it have broken down enough that I could use it in a compost pile? I'm just wondering if it works similarly to coffee grounds and such....that all of the stuff one might be worried about screwing up the soil pH is in your coffee cup and the grounds are perfectly fine to compost. Can the same eventually be said of pine needles that have been in the rain/sun for several years?

[@wednesdaynotifications1460]

Trendane Sparks once spruce needles decompose, they become neutral, from what i have heard anyway. If your worried about pH, just use lime to neutralize it once it is finished. Always do a pH test before trying to alter it!

[@lightsobrite]

Do I have to add any kind of products to my composting pile to get it to break down? or is just adding organic matter straw, grass clippings, eggshells Etc sufficient? Do I just water and keep on turning it? My compost bin is not 3 by 3 by 3 it's something I purchased at the store so it's probably 24 by 24 by 3 will that make a big difference? I have never turn my compost maybe that's why it never seems to do anything so since it's been sitting there for 3 years can I still pick up and continue or do I have to discard all and start over? I guess I never really understood how to make compost work so I appreciate the video. And my last question is, my compost bin has a cover on it, do I need to leave the cover off? I've never watered it but sometimes I do crack the lid so that when it rains, the rain can go down in there.

[@rickparshall]

lightsobrite yup it needs water.. and mixing. Just put the lid on and roll around and or turn it over a couple times a week.. can being in the sun will help too..

[@rickparshall]

lightsobrite and no.. don't throw it away!!! You have a good start, add leaves, grass clippings(they may get clumpy,have to mix regularly) small sticks etc to keep a good mix of greens and browns in it.. the sticks help get air spots in it( like he said you need water and air..)

[@lightsobrite]

Ty!! 😀

[@kinremnant4616]

yea the sun will speed up the cooking process. :)

[@mpthangoldaz]

I'm not a gardener yet but I hope to start small next summer, I love your videos ! Always informative !

[@ThahnG413]

dude i put coffee grounds in my compost pile and when i turn it smoke comes off amazing how hot the compost pile got after adding coffee

[@davesterchele2679]

High Nitrogen!

[@cassandradehmer6029]

I found out that the night crawlers and worms LOVE coffee grounds!! My compost pile is full!

[@kimmartin2522]

I will be getting some!

[@MIgardener]

coffee has lots of nitrogen which the bacteria love.

[@gabrielherera1045]

Coffee grounds i should try it

[@ryandickson5566]

Hey love the video. I need help with my compost. I have a blue drum I drilled holes every 6 inches. The holes are 3/8 of a inch. It wont heat up at all. Can the cold weather have anything to do with it

[@brirutledge6086]

Ryan Dickson I am currently having the same problem and did exactly what you did. Any suggestions?

[@InLoveWithVintage]

So where do you keep all of the browns and such while you are waiting to start a new pile? Like, say you have plenty of greens but building up browns to begin the next pile while first batch finishes up...where do you keep it? Or do you hot compost one and cold compost the other?

[@MoreWaveLessParticle]

Great video! I am confused about something though… 🤔 If we need a minimum of 9 ft.³ of biomass, does that then mean that the contents of the small, 16-gallon compost tumbler I have…. will NEVER break down? 🤔 Thanks.

[@UrbanGardeningWithD.A.Hanks14]

I missed your correction on the math, hence the edit - but yes, in this case size means everything! I made that mistake my first time, along with using grass I had gotten from others, and it was already spending its energy by the time I got it home. It's okay to mix it a bit hot (green) as long as you can turn it every 48 hours or so, and the taller you can make your pile (like a termite mound), the hotter it will get, due to the chimney effect. Heat rises, and the excess heat that would be wasted out a flat top is now being used. It also draws air in from the bottom, further enhancing the oxygen levels inside. It's very easy to go over 160 in warm weather using this method, and as long as your pile has stayed hot for at least two months, don't worry if it cools down. That's part of the process. I like to let mine age for at least 3-4 additional months as a cool pile anyway, as it allows different bacteria and worms to move in; more suited for the garden.

[@spencerhoadley5723]

Moving literally today, good information about compost for the new house!

[@MIgardener]

good luck with the move!

[@Veronica-nq9kr]

I watched this video several months ago, then again today, and you reminded me of some mistakes I'm making, especially adding more to the compost pile. So if I continuously have more garden and kitchen waste, where do I put it all if I don't add it to the pile? How can I make use of the ever growing supply of garden and kitchen waste?

[@davidforrest399]

Have multiple piles. One you are building, one that is actively working , and one that is finished. If you dont have enough organic materials or space, dont sweat it, your pile will still break down, it will just take longer.

[@Veronica-nq9kr]

@@davidforrest399 Thanks so much!

[@mjj5276]

I've just started a couple of days ago.More to it than I imagined but we'll see how I go.

[@Annie-ui5nm]

❓❓ I compost my fall leaves. This year I am composting in a large plastic bin. I drilled holes all over it for air. It's all now fairly rich an black. Can I dump the whole thing in my garden, or will that be too much? I need to start anew, because I am still adding to it. Don't want it to rot. I do keep it stirred though. Thanks for your pointers. 👍

[@ti8607]

How do you compost in the colder winter months? Will it still compost?

[@dawnspecial3556]

Do you cover a compost pile?. My pile start getting cold and it not as hot as I would like it. I do add grass to the the pile as I cut the grass. Should I remove the cover to the compost pile

[@dunestaniszewski2300]

It’s awesome your wearing an Arms Family Homestead shirt! I started a compost pile two months ago, and it just won’t heat up! This video helped a lot... thanks!

[@junidhaniff6360]

Love your garden..do you user 100% compost to your garden?there's any other sources

[@frederickoajr]

Thank you…Love how you made the process crystal clear !!!

[@snoopylyn9065]

I just compost in the5 gallon bin indoors without being hot or cold ! Just dirt and kitchen scraps also grass clippings no dry leaves 🍁 because it’s not fall season yet

[@ThatGardener]

Fantastic video and great tips. Learned a lot and pushing to get great compost. We managed to get some superb compost this year after trial errors and following your tips. Thank you.

[@davidbabcock1231]

Okay I have a question if you put stuff like scrap tomatoes from the garden that fell off the plant and pepper won’t the seeds from both start growing in there and then we would have tomato and pepper plants growing in the compost bins that’s one of my concerns also don’t I need to put holes in the bottom and top for air circulation and for drainage?? When I’m composting in a garbage pail does the not adding anymore to it as it’s breaking down pertain to that as well or is it okay to keep adding as it’s breaking down

[@gentlemanjack25]

This is good news. I'll be using a compost pile to heat a small green house this winter.

[@zh1959]

Can I add some sugar in the water to speedup the process. I heard that it would help to fasten the process of breaking down the material. I have no coffee in this region only black tea

[@ericd6879]

I learned alot with this video. Ideas that have not been mentioned in other compost videos. Thank-you

[@ahouseinthedesert2737]

I do add in material at later stages, but only those high in nitrogen..i sprinkle in grass clippings, coffee grounds or veg scraps. It works well..

[@NWFishingSecrets]

Just what I needed thanks!

[@davefinney1339]

Thank you for the info on composting. I've been lazy at it and need to be more active in composting.

[@gabrielbayley4247]

what do you think of some of the compost accelerator products on the market (ecoscraps, espoma, etc.). i've never used them and I have what I think is good compost, but always looking for ways to improve my garden.

[@MIgardener]

I think they are a waste of money because all they are is nitrogen which you can get for free.

[@gabrielbayley4247]

that was my impression as well... I have never done a test of the NPK on my compost and not sure I need to.

[@RootedInTx]

Really loving the intro not sure how new that is, haven't been on lately but just wanted to say well done. Also love the composting advice thank you very much

[@MIgardener]

It is very new, as in 2 weeks old barely.

[@johns4625]

Love your posts. How do we restart the heat? My issue is compost pile started at 1 cubic yard, but you said you flip it every few days when it shrinks 30%. Yet we can’t add anything to it to keep it larger right? I started a little too small, I’ve been flipping it, it got hot then cooled off. Might be too wet compared to yours. Anyway, should I bulk it back up? Will that let it restart?

[@maryknipp9623]

Thank you for this video. This is one of the best videos on composting! It helped me a lot!

[@K3N0PS1A92]

Thx for the very informative video :) I started composting for the first time last summer. My two compost piles are still cold in April (matching the outside temperature), although sometimes it is 10-20 degrees F warmer than the outside temperature. I live in South-Central Alaska which is consistently cold and dry (it's only really wet in our rainy season which is august). So I started the two piles last summer, I got one of those temperature reading rods a few weeks ago, so I only have been able to get a reading since recently. My pile has been shrinking a lot since I started it (I keep them above 3x3x3), so I assume that must be good and that it means that there is some decomposition going on. I have been adding kitchen scraps to it all throughout the winter and I have been mixing it twice a week since the snow has been gone (trying to kick the aerobic activity into gear) and I have also been adding 2-4 gallons of hydroponic runoff into the pile everyday since the snow melt because it looks too dry (I skip adding water on the rainy days). I am trying to gradually get it wet enough without overcompensating. I am thinking that once the outside temps start to get warmer and the pile gets wet enough, it should start heating up to 120-140 temps like it should right?

[@Jimmytwogunz]

Great information !! I have a question to ask.. I have a closed off Compost bin and it's going to be a pain to turn it every 2 to 4 weeks... Could I just leave the lid open and try to turn the top half as best as I can? It is getting HOT and I'm adding carbon to make sure it doesn't get to wet from the heat inside

[@myjunkmail007]

9:00, Luke - If one has sufficient browns & greens (Starbucks coffee grounds if I run out of my own) to sustain a large enough bio-mass, can you explain why regularly adding to a compost pile wouldn't work or be a good idea? Asking mainly because I have a massive amount of leaves every fall that I mow and dump into my garden for the MI winter (about knee high in entire 8x20 garden). They break down some, but I still have to trench compost the remaining clumps in the spring. It's lots of digging that I'd rather not do. I want to try "winter composting" next time to see I can break them down better, maybe completely. Was thinking of having either a long 3x3 (or taller) trough-style bin made of stakes, plastic netting, and perforated PVC pipes inserted for air circulation or having multiple 3x3x3 bins in the garden. Constantly keeping them full over the winter to ensure adequate size, covering with black tarps. These would be temporary bins placed in the garden, from November to May. Do you have other ideas if you still think this isn't wise?

[@debragallardo5754]

Wow, thank you for articulating composting. Your information is so helpful. I think I know what to do now and not to do. Thanks again! God Bless!

[@needsomehike]

what can i plant in mixed fresh/1-2-3 months old manure? tried to compost it, didn't heat up .....i would like to put some soil on the top and plant something into it. what would be the best option? someone said pumpkin and zucchini is a good choice......but i also have some beet and green (chard) seeds...any idea would be much appreciated.

[@nadenecummings7889]

I just came across this video and learned that I'm doing my compost pile wrong by continually adding to it I really don't have the room for another pile.

[@markn2904]

Do you add diseased or infested matter to a compost pile? Infested like aphids or what was infesting your peach.

[@MIgardener]

no, I burn those things.

[@francinesaravia2619]

At this point in the summer I have run out of dry leaves for my compost. I am using instead cardboard for my carbon. My question is can I use cereal boxes and things like that that have printing on them? I use newspapers in my garden under the mulch as a weed barrier. But I know they have dyes that are non-toxic. I’m not sure about  The boxes that food come in. You would think that the stuff your food comes in should be non-toxic…

[@Beecozz7]

David the Good just posted the same info!!! Have you ever seen Joel Salatin's compost piles??? WOW!!!

[@mirandaf2112]

How quickly do you find you can use your pile?

[@MIgardener]

2-3 months

[@uroskumer8269]

what about in the winter? can we start a compost, despite cold and for that reason it will probably not get hot

[@nancyguajardo85]

I was just gonna start a compost pile, today/Thank you for sharing this information!

[@williamroe5791]

....also I have a compost thermometer that currently is reading at about 106 degrees which is the active zone but I want to get the temperature up to say 125+ in order to kill any weed seeds. It's damp on the interior (like the rung out sponge as I always come across)Do I need to add more water or go ahead and flip it? (Another note is I live in Utah where it is a very dry heat)

[@MsOmgnowai2]

what mic do you use in this video? it is very clear

[@dremwolf5419]

Unfortunately where my pile is located has become so shaded that it really no longer "cooks". Pretty much being a cold compost pile it still works quite well. Every other week I put in grass clippings as well as a few dried leaves sitting near by. I also add kitchen scraps and a lot of coffee grounds each week. So far this year has been the best year ever for the pile! The area I have is about 4' x 5' and I have it set up with a left and right side. The right side is about topped off and I'll start back on the left side. When I go to add the kitchen scraps I put them on top of the pile. Then I'll take compost from the other side to cover the scraps. With each shovel full I am transferring over rich compost along with about 10 worms. Each shovel full another 10 worms go onto the fresh scraps. I started out with about 30-50 worms and now I have hundreds of them!! When I start moving material from the right to the left next week I start at the front ground level and will not find any "whole" kitchen scraps. Those worms are doing their job big time!!

[@dremwolf5419]

@serendipidus1 I get my worms from the sporting goods section at Walmart, Big Red Worms. They are Eisenia Hortensis. Also known as European Nightcrawlers or here for fishing we just call them Red Wigglers. Even though they say you should not use nightcrawlers cause they will "crawl away in the night". I have hundreds if not thousands in my pile.

[@dremwolf5419]

@serendipidus1 Hey, I just copied and pasted that! LOL I just know them as red wigglers.

[@shawnreid1436]

Do these same principles apply when using a barrel compost bin? I just started mine about two weeks ago and our springs are quite cool so nothing has heated up yet, just want to make sure I’m on the right track!

[@DreidMusicalX]

Are there certain trees or plants we should not compost? Do you have a video on that, or could you do one?

[@lolkropgruis9329]

Can I use dried grass as brown for composting ?

[@PM-bk1ry]

Very explanatory. Thank you.