Making compost from garden and other wastes, the principles and some results

I explain green and brown ingredients, using coffee and other wastes including roots of perennial weeds and blighted leaves. What size pieces to add, what temperatures you need and may expect. How long to leave heaps before turning or using, I show you compost in different stages, of varied age and moisture content.
For a review of greens and browns in summer compost making, see this 2020 video • Compost Making, balanc...
For more detail of the turning process see my four minute time lapse • Charles turns a tonne ... .
For spreading compost see • Speedy ten minute prep... , and for my explanation of when to spread compost and how much to use see • No dig explained in 3 ... .
More about compost making and types of compost in my online course www.charlesdowding.co.uk/prod...
Filmed and edited in February 2017 by Edward Dowding edowding.net
Shredder I recommend is electric Bosch AX25TC
More gardening information at www.charlesdowding.co.uk
When you make a purchase of products I recommend, please use this link to my page on Crocus tidd.ly/44dEU7d, I earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support.
MORE FROM CHARLES
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To join an in person Day or Weekend course at Homeacres charlesdowding.co.uk/product-...
To join my channel as a member, use this link / @charlesdowding1nodig
As a member, you can watch a new video each month, which is exclusively for members. Your payments support my promotion and teaching of better, easier gardening. I can offer bursaries for day courses and online courses, through individuals in charge of community gardens/allotments and school gardens. Contact us through my website to enquire about bursaries charlesdowding.co.uk/contact-us/
To buy the module trays I designed with Containerwise, use this link containerwise.co.uk/product/c...
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#nodig #growyourownfood #nodiggardening #compost #composting

[@sarahjustesen1305]

I am 71. Grew up in Joplin, Missouri here in the United States. My Dad became deaf when I was very young. He also became a passionate gardener/composter. I recall his excitement in the 1960's when he bought a shredder and cajoled the city tree pruning crew to deliver all their wood waste to his two acre plot. The local zoo and two farmers delivered their barn droppings and spoiled hay and straw. Neighbors within a ten mile range gladly contributed their leaves, cuttings and grass clippings to the cool old truck he outfitted for that purpose. Restaurants saved their waste for him. He was relentless. I did not understand until the day he answered my note by telling me he was making food for the gardens so they could make food for us. And not just food. His flowers delighted my Mother and local florists. Mickey Mantle and friends opened a Holiday Inn on Range Line and purchased his berries, vegetables and flowers for the restaurant and lobby. That shredder.... and that garden.... brought solace to him... and to his family and wonderful produce to many people. Mr Dowding, your good work on this channel is much admired and appreciated.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Sarah this is a lovely comment and I am happy to imagine your father doing all that, what great memories for you. I am honoured to be counted alongside him.

[@sarahjustesen1305]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig He would have liked you very much.

[@tinkeringinthailand8147]

I have just made my first 30M no dig bed using my very own 8 month old compost (which you taught me to make). The bed is now ready for my Birds eye chilli seedlings. What a wonderful feeling. Thank you so much for sharing your amazing horticultural knowledge Charles 🙏🙏

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Fantastic, and I love the sound of your enthusiasm. It's the empowering feeling of interacting with nature in such a positive way that is what I love

[@sam12345506]

Someone may find this useful, so I too will leave a comment; I throw lots of waste into a large chicken run, including the odd truck load of wood chips from arborists. This promotes the growth of insects which the chickens love to scratch for. They defecate all over the garden waste too. Then after a good rain, (drier climate here in Canterbury, NZ) I rake up the moistened waste into a long pile and cover with tarp/polythene. A couple of months later I will turn it all and re-cover. The contributions from the chickens make a powerful compost and they do a lot of work for me!

[@97grad]

I really like your simple not complicated approach to gardening. We seem to have instilled too many unnecessary rules while things don't always follow strict rules in nature.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Glad it's helpful and yes, just understanding a few tenets is key

[@KentuckyCornbread3219]

I totally agree with you, we humans have such a way of making things complicated. My rule of thumb kiss ( keep it super simple) I always think of how does Mother Nature do it, good luck with your future gardening

[@pixiesnow7636]

I'm binge-watching your videos. My virtual garden and compost heap are doing quite well. 😁 Also, big 'Thank you' to your son, Edward. Great camera work, clean audio and no crazy editing. It takes a lot of hard work and long hours to make quality videos like this. Awesome job. 😍

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Pixie Love, and Edward will enjoy the appreciation. Virtual gardening is a good starting point.

[@ElisabettaEvents]

Ha! I thought I was the only one with a virtual garden and compost heap, I have wonderful things growing ☺️ and my compost heap is just lovely.

[@richardmullins1883]

I started with chilli plants in a large pot. It seems to have a calming tranquil effect touching dirt and pruning then watching the plant adapt to that. I think they know if you're in love with them. Lol

[@thisplaceisazoo]

@Fortnite Vids It is a pretend garden in your mind. First step for wannabe gardeners. Kind of like an air guitar ;)

[@polkadottedpolak]

I started with a virtual garden and compost heap when I was living in an apartment a couple years ago. Now I have a house and I've started with two compost heaps (one to add to, one to age) and a modest raised bed. It's incredibly satisfying having the real thing after dreaming about it for so long!

[@Physiorie]

My other half kindly built me a compost structure and I’ve read up on so many things you should / shouldn’t put in. I’m so happy I came across this video as I’ve ignored a lot of the don’ts like rhubarb leaves and bind weed etc. This has been a really useful lesson. I find your videos really calming to watch and I’ve learnt a huge amount from them. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Lovely to read thanks Marie

[@NMW80]

Why do they say no to rhubarb leaves?

[@couannbenner7849]

Super Charles, you have confirmed my thinking....people always telling me I am wrong even though I usually get good compost. Can't believe people actually have given you 108 thumbs down????? your vid is so good thanks again

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Ah yes, people see things differently

[@dwwcoder5048]

Wish I could have been doing this years ago. What a lot of good information I need when doing my compost pile. May his legacy lives on.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Many thanks, I wish you fine compost!

[@esino6667]

It is nice to see Tyrion Lannister survived and chose a more peaceful life. Brilliant videos and person. Very educational and easy to listen. Thank you.

[@awinbisa]

Best bit of advice: dont be shy about urinating on your compost heap. Gives a lot of nutrients.

[@FaughtyEmit]

My wife hates my bedroom wee bottle!

[@ianclarke5273]

I'm adding it to my cold heap (40F. in December ) 2 litres at a time, in hope it warms it up.

[@FaughtyEmit]

@@ianclarke5273 if you’re adding it directly it’ll help warm it up. If so...2ltrs...that’s one hell of a bladder!

[@ianclarke5273]

@@FaughtyEmit LOL..I also have a wee bottle..

[@thecsslife]

Too much sodium is not a good idea

[@carolinegathercole8473]

Just collect my 13th bag of leaves ! My daughter has 4 rabbits, so I put their waste into my compost, and reward them with veg from my garden.🌸

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

An excellent swap Caroline!

[@lovebeamsoutward]

Ringing Cedars of Russia Anastasia Community is where it's at. We want to pass down free land movement and food forest garden knowledge generations to come.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

I wish you well, the world needs you

[@PhilKJames]

So many people make composting such a chore. I love your approach of patience.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Phil

[@eliev7844]

This has got to be the best video on composting on the net. Thank you

[@wattosacrim]

Charles could put screaming babies to sleep- This is my first video and his voice is so soothing without making the information hard to ingest!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks that is an interesting career option! Glad you like the video

[@cassieoz1702]

I initially bought my shredder to chomp up rose prunings which, otherwise, just dry out and stay prickly. Now I'm on property, i have a big, petrol driven beast with a hammer-mill rather than a blade 😁. It'll shred/chop anything up to 8cm diameter. Love it!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Sounds a good one and a way of having more than enough raw material

[@stoicepictetus833]

I put perennial weeds in a barrel full of water to kill all roots and seeds, (this makes a good liquid fertilizer!) then add them to the compost. Thanks for this video, most informative. :)

[@SarinembahFarm]

Greetings from Jakarta, Charles. You are indeed my personal hero! All knowledge that I gained from watching your videos is immeasurable. Your style is indeed fun to be followed! Thanks for everything...

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Wow, thanks, so nice to hear all the way from Indonesia

[@SarinembahFarm]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig Whenever you happen to be in this part of the world, give me a shout. It would be a privilege to show you around, seeing how we farm around here.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

@@SarinembahFarm That is nice and thankyou, however unlikely it feels right now!!

[@sarahrose1665]

One other thing... I enjoy... is what other commenters have said... Is savoring the calmness enveloping your teaching times...👍🙋🌹GA USA

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

That is nice thanks Sarah

[@DonnaRatliff1]

Also I can't imagine why anyone would give a compost video a thumbs down unless those people literally kill everything they try to grow and are extremely Jealous" of Charles success in gardening. . Lol Frankly we learn a lot from Charles. 👍👍

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Donna :)

[@bobbidazzler1343]

PS: You simplify everything. It's brilliant for a beginner like me. X

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Music to my ears: the feedback from my courses is like that, "keep it simple, understand what you are doing" and you soon move on from being a beginner.

[@bobbidazzler1343]

Charles Dowding All this talk of soil PH and what you should grow here, there and everywhere is terrifying for a novice however, after following your advice through your KZbin videos and books, there really isn't anything to be scared about. Hope to see you at one of your courses in Somerset soon. Thanks a million. X

[@lukibenjamin741]

agree, 100% Bobby.

[@lillianrushton7387]

I live in SpringhillN.S.Canada Zone5 to7 I believe. Your information on composing is .very interesting.I am working on mine now

[@RobertaAdesignbyhumans]

This was extremely helpful! I am a newbie and I started my own pile after watching YT last week. I was worried about ratios , water, rain...my family was very amused when I soaked some hard cardboard ,but they are now joining me contributing with stuff, it`s fun! I learned a lot just from this one video, I really appreciate your effort and time! I have more peace of mind experimenting after this. You should do a documentary for a TV show, your voice and presence as well as knowledge are awesome! ♥

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thank you Roberta. I have more freedom to present here and am happy to know that I'm helping people like you, to have a go!

[@iestynjones5796]

I bought Charles 'organic gardening no dig' book last year and had my most rewarding year by far in terms of maximum abundance for minimum effort. The man is a horticultural genius. If like me the balance between success and failure in gardening has tipped the wrong way, treat yourself to one or three of his books... certainly transformed my fortunes.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Iestyn and what good news. May I use your comment on my website as an endorsement?

[@iestynjones5796]

Charles Dowding ...Certainly, a pleasure.

[@permaheretic]

Oh, I've been feeding my poor blueberries neat coffee grounds, thinking it was acidic. I love your myth-cracking, by the way. It is refreshing

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Excellent thanks 😀

[@Jonny87Slick]

This would be one of the best videos about composting that I’ve seen. And I’ve seen a lot.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Jonny

[@alastairthomson2835]

The great thing about this video is that there's nothing which goes out of date!

[@tzwestel]

Thx a lot!!! Best regards from Hungary

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

You are welcome!

[@Rec_it_Roop]

4:07 Completely just answered my question about coffee being brown or green. As always Charles, Thank you.

[@Rec_it_Roop]

Also 18:35 No need to sieve! so much helpful information

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Rob!

[@eddieleong6490]

It is not just the excellent videos. I scroll through the comment blog...they too reveal the experiences of many. God bless you all Garden Angels.

[@MrBrianDuga]

Wow, the myth portion is a huge help. I think about all the extra time spent turning a heap every week, putting blighted leaves in the trash, sifting before use, avoiding certain weeds, worrying about exact ratios. The one thing I will say, we have a weed here in New England called Oriental Bittersweet. It obviously did not come from this area but it is VERY invasive. It's next to impossible to beat. I may still be hesitant to put it and it's roots in the heap after I've pulled them. This weed is my nemisis. Anyway, thanks for the tips that save my back muscles!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Cheers Brian, nice you feel liberated and thanks for the tip about Oriental Bittersweet. I would try composting a bit to see!

[@robertevans8024]

I just emptied a 25 lb sugar bag and I wanted to put it through my paper shredder. It's three ply paper and, as I was separating the three layers, I noticed the middle layer is lined with thin plastic. Glad I checked it out first. Just did an early fall cleanup of leaves for the compost pile. It's only a 55 gallon drum. But it's loaded with worms and my small backyard is cement. So everything is in containers. Large storage boxes from the big box store. Works just fine until I can make my dream come true of buying a house with large backyard, so I can finally have a greenhouse. 🙏😁

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Yes well spotted, would be so annoying. Good luck with manifesting your dream 🍅

[@derwadelheimer332]

Thanks for the very informative video. In our region (north-western Germany) we say: "The compost is ready when the last worm has crumbled out." This is a good sign for mature compost.

[@1isaM111er]

I love how you finally got a shredder. As I approach my garden with bamboo and Ivy I know I'll need it. The Washington DC area used to be a swamp and politically it still is. So covering compost from too much moisture is essential.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Good luck Lisa!

[@sharadajoshi8920]

Thank you. Helping me with my small apartment composting. The need for a shredder after 30 years says aging. we all need to know our body.

[@nickthegardener.1120]

The squeeze test is invaluable.🤠👍

[@chulasexychica11]

Somehow i got flash back of school teacher boring me the more he tlks lol ur voice is so calm and soothing ima take a nap. 😴😪 will watch next half after lol

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

!! 💥

[@Ajsallotment]

I was pleased to have a clear explanation of what can and can't be composted. As a novice it can be confusing sometimes thank you

[@denisestone8491]

Just subscribed after watching your video. I love how your garden looks and how well you explain things. I just started a compost pile this year and threw 2 ( thought they were dead) tomato plants in to break down. They rooted and grew and were the only tomato plants that produced! Just goes to show how wonderful natural earth can be.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Denise, plus a lovely comment with a happy ending!

[@timroberts6989]

Finally. Someone to back me up to say that compost works fine with onions, garlic and citrus, and weeds, and doesn't need to be turned if you aren't in a hurry. It doesn't matter if I do it, people just don't believe it, but on here they might take notice, thankyou.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Cool, you are another myth buster Tim :)

[@bellaellaboobooasmr1903]

Very good video.... thank you

[@simplifygardening]

Great advice on composting. you have such a calming way of putting your info across. Great episode Charles. Tony

[@barbarapinski3716]

Northwest worm farm

[@barbarapinski3716]

Horse manure

[@bettyjeannereno64]

Zachary Pinski o

[@Beardedone0]

Thank you. I feel much more relaxed about making compost now!

[@havespacesuitwilltravel9607]

Here in Texas it is quite arid. I find that my compost pile is so incredibly good at holding water that I leave it uncovered at all times with no problems

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Yes so different. Crazy we have similar zone numbers, 8 here

[@phsconcerto]

This is my first time to seriously make our own compost after watching this video many times and also participated the online course. In the past we only put every garden waste (including good quality green wood) somewhere in an open corner, and of course nothing worked out. This time I started it again from beginning of march and now is almost 85% full, according to Charles' advices I used basically wood and green wood pruned and shredded recently, kitchen scraps, fresh and old chicken manure, coffee, and etc. I am really surprised that the temperature of our compost bin (600L, with Lid) reached 58 degree C in about 3 weeks and maintained the heat so far. Already planned to turn it next week, and can't wait to use our own compost at the end of the year. Much appreciated for those informative advices!

[@gee3883]

Brilliant tips and myth busting Charles. Thanks ever so much for sharing your knowledge.

[@oldbootz]

I love your energy. Calm and soothing. Those side smiles. Loving your vids.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Many thanks

[@MrSnapy1]

Compost is amazing is many ways not only does it provide for the land. Heat is energy compost piles can be used as a water heater. It will thermal siphon to a raised tank giving gravity flow hot water. I do this camping with a rocket stove but in theory should work with compost piles. With a long hose coiled up could give a nice free quick hot shower. I may try this have tons of chicken manure which with piles of leaves make a quite hot pile. In the future we may have compost generators!!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Nice innovative thoughts, see work of Jean Pain in 1970s France

[@mudoh2131]

Charles, just want to say you are a genius. For years you have been saying get a manure fork. I didn't, thinking what's the big deal - but now I have! What a difference. For a not very tall woman approaching 70 (had to get a somewhat shorter handle) I managed to turn a 1.2 metre cube heap in one session and I am so pleased with the result. I will have fabulous compost ready for autumn/winter and next heap is started. Thank you as always for your advice and guidance

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Happy to read this, lovely result!

[@bsilcott]

A wonderful primer on compost, thanks again Charles for sharing your knowledge and techniques.

[@benparkinson8314]

Composting is really a very enjoyable part of gardening, interesting sights and smells! Another great video Charles!

[@pauloroarty1799]

Thank you Charles I have learnt so much watching your Video and eager to begin

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Go you Paul

[@marymac62]

Thank you for the great video and all the ideas. When I had a huge yard and farm, back in NY, I used to compost in a big heap. Just piled on kitchen scraps, chicken manure, horse manure, grass, egg shells, leaves, paper etc etc. I didn't end up putting too much manure because the barn wasn't nearby. I kept it covered with a big tarp weighted with bricks. When I would add to it I would scoop some broken down bits from the bottom edges and put it on top and occasionally I would turn the whole pile by forking it onto a new spot right next to it, starting from top working down. Now I have a small garden area and we rent so I have made a compost bin out of a garbage can from Wilkonson's (drilled some holes in it too) and it's working great.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Marymac, this is a great example of how creative one can be with composting!

[@marymac62]

Yes, it all breaks down in the end really, if you help it, it'll go faster. I love your videos and thank you for the time you put into it. Someday I want to get one of your books.

[@OneYardRevolution]

Great clip, Charles!

[@peggylee6086]

Thank you for the great tips, especially breaking down the composting myths.

[@patriciavincent5076]

You have so much control over your gardens. You are the garden king.

[@keith6400]

I used fence spikes to erect sturdy posts and a three bay pallet system on soil as this was cheap for me and allows different stages of production. I shred huge quantities of hedge/shrub/trees and mix with lawn cuttings. The council runs a garden waste collection system for bigger branches and I let them have any perennial weeds etc. I mix up using a roto-tiller strimmer attachment. It is not about final quantity but ease of use for me. Excess quantities of compost get put into the one tonne metric builder bags for storage until required.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Keith this is excellent to hear, good effort and system

[@keith6400]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig If you can find a guy with a panel fence with rotted posts on spikes all you need is a reciprocating saw and a 6 foot crowbar. Saw down the cracks to cut the panel fixing nails off, lever out the spike using your crowbar and offcuts to create an increasing height fulcrum and all the "waste" is usable. The posts are only rotted at the bottom so invert and cut to length and the spikes have a plug of rotted wood wedged in them. Burn these on a bonfire and then repaint the spikes - good as new.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Cool and thanks for sharing

[@TheLynnjames]

wicked video always so informative

[@katday1335]

Great information! I am starting my first no-dig garden this year, inspired by you. I have only ever had tilled gardens, and I am so excited! I also have started composting for the first time as well. It's great to hear from an experienced person what is actually important and what works best when there's SO much information out there. So glad I stumbled upon your channel. -Kat

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Nice to hear Kat, excitement is important because it gives you energy. So have fun this year and prepare to be amazed!

[@RobertaAdesignbyhumans]

How is it going? I have just started making compost. :) Excited about garbage, my family is VERY amused. :))

[@karenbearden6198]

Thank you so much. I was feeling defeated until I watched this, now I think I can do this.

[@His1355]

Karen Bearden dame here, now feeling more confident.

[@Falney]

I was cleaning the bottom of the garden ready to replace a very sad shed. Behind said shed, I found a compost bin that I had, in all honesty, forgotten about. A black dustbin with the bottom cut off I was experimenting with about 3 years ago. It was half full of nothing but worm castings. Everything was gone. That was a welcome boon. It is bagged up and ready to spread on the beds this December.

[@vesnamaric5962]

Thank you, Charles. Now I know I am doing it right.

[@karenrouth2056]

A year on from the last post and I'm also binge watching!! Thankfully it's constantly raining here on the south east coast of Italy, so not feeling too guilty being inside, plus the ground is getting a fantastic watering! I haven't posted any comments on all the other videos I've been watching, because it would take you too much time for you to read them all, but suffice it to say you are changing my life one day (or rather one informative, inspiring video) at a time!! I moved to this blissful, rural, very slow lifestyle(!) seemingly 50 yrs behind the rest of Europe!!, from Bourton, Dorset, just up the road from you, 5 years ago (with my dogs lol!) and only now is my ever increasing vegetable garden really starting to take off. I first started following you in the summer of 2008 and bought your book Organic Gardening...I am incredibly grateful for all that you have unwittingly taught me Charles, thank you. Now I urgently need to find a fast way to make compost as it costs a teensy fortune to buy it here and since most family's have their own 'orto' (veg garden) scrounging isn't the best option lol! Any further tips since you made this video in 2017 would be enormously welcome... many, many thanks again for the kind and gentle and knowledgeable way you share so much xx

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Karen, my pleasure to help and I wish there was a magic answer to your desire for more compost materialsS. Just be vigilant for wastes!

[@alexlomez]

Thank You Charles ! love your videos, and your spirit.

[@patriciaelenamompo2555]

Gracias desde Argentina!!!Volvere a verlo!!!con un lapiz y papel!!jjajajaja!!!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Gracias, buena idea :)

[@bobbidazzler1343]

Just put the finishing touches to my 5 No Dig beds which have been under cover for nearly 6 months. They are looking great Charles. Cannot wait to get planting. Thank you for all your hard work. X

[@adamsilva9611]

How did they work? Big success?

[@reloadfast]

thank you so much for taking the time to make this video.

[@tinahart1712]

I LOVED watching this Charles thank you, Its funny isn't it, you would not think that there was so much to talk about chucking all your garden waste onto a pile and letting it rot down. But there is, I thought I was the compost queen but I learn't a few new things today and have been out to check what type of brown my compost it. I really enjoy my composts and find it very satisfying to watch the levels go up as you fill them then each month how they sink down again. Its like making gold somehow knowing all that goodness will be going back into the soil emulating mother nature. Thank you.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Hey Tina that is good to hear and yes, funny too, Steph and I often laugh over the simple things that make a gardener happy. A good heap is a magnetic attraction!

[@susancaulton5470]

Thankyou so much for your speedy response 🏅

[@ginofeliciano9838]

thanks great video it's helpful your video..

[@AllotmentGrowHow]

A lovely watch with clear explanations and advice on how to create, build and maintain compost and compost heaps. Thanks for taking the time to make this video. Cheers Adam

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks for your feedback. I find it hard to judge how useful these videos are but feedback so far suggests this one is good!

[@margaretwarriner6445]

Allotmen t compost should I cover the top over

[@benrolls1470]

Very informative, thanks Charles!

[@bearrivermama6414]

Fantastic tutorial! I find that often people try and put rules on composting like, the weed roots, citrus rinds, need for hot compost. I think they want to convince folks they are an expert. You sir have earned expert status in my book! Relaxed, realistic, and simple advice! Thank you for encouraging people to give composting a try!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thankyou and I am happy to read that you see the simplicity!

[@rdkitchengarden4359]

this video was very enlightening and I clearly have a lot more to learn about composting. Have a great day

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Nice of you to say that, I feel the same, so much to learn

[@TheJunkyardgenius]

Charles I love the way you throw away all common ideas and think about things yourself instead of blindly following generations of misconception in gardening. I wish there was a book or better a tv series where all the science was done to prove these old myths are wrong.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

I have written a book Myths and Misconceptions.Glad you enjoy finding simpler methods.

[@janereynolds7555]

Amazing. Cannot wait to get composting. Many thanks.

[@hoggarththewisesmeagol8362]

This is invaluable information for my cannabis garden

[@kellyt5341]

I'd like to see what Charles is growing(off camera), he looks soooo happy and relaxed talking about animal shit..lol.

[@mireladarau7563]

Thank you for the very very helpful video! After watching your video, I started a year ago my first trial with plants gathered from clearing the garden. I successfully used it this summer to plant some zucchinis in it (they are still cropping, though very slowly now due to poor weather and light): it was very lumpy, big stems still visible, by far not perfect. But the first compost heap of this year, where I tried to pay more attention to the green and brown layering, came out absolutely surprising: it was well decomposed, very nicely smelling and I could easily spread it on my no-dig experiment. I can't wait to plant there next spring!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

This is wonderful to hear Mirela and exciting for next year

[@everydayrosalez5493]

Mr. Dowding, I enjoy your videos, so full of knowledge, and teaching us to keep things simple in gardening. I began gardening only 2 years ago, so I'm still a beginner learning how to do things. I use the Back to Eden style no till gardening, and so far so good. I'm watching from Ada, Oklahoma, way down in south central U.S. Thanks for sharing your expertise with us!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thank you and that sounds good!

[@RustyBobbins]

Everyday Rosalez I live in McAlester and want to start this way of gardening, would love to pick your brain!

[@przybyla420]

Another good technique for breaking down woody stuff is to pile it in a shady and if possible humid spot (like under some trees or in the forest). Just pile branches there like a burn pile and crush it down occasionally by tossing on a heavy branch. After a year or two (five is better) you can then restack the pile and rake up the “tailings” from the bottom - which are super rich in fungi and insect frass. You can also speed up the process by deep watering it once or twice if you have dry summers.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

great tip

[@luciedwards6783]

Another great video - lovely to watch, clear to follow and sound advice. We much enjoying hearing the principles behind technique rather than simple 'do's' and 'don'ts'. Thanks!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Great and yes, when you know the reason for what you are doing, it's more enjoyable and you can adjust to events and different circumstances.

[@luciedwards6783]

Absolutely -- well said. Being equipped with the principles gives much more confidence and ability to respond, as you say, to events & circumstances, that will be unique to your plot/place/garden.

[@christineannemarsden]

Setting off on my major compost production as of NOW! Thanks Charles for inspiration. Our South sloping Devon Orchard is going no-dig GRADUALLY but steadily!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Well done Christine and a fine project

[@HiVisl]

I stumbled across this channel and I'm so very glad. I really enjoy Charles' explanations and his very gentle, good-humoured and respectful nature. Thank you, good sir, for sharing your knowledge.

[@tylermccartin4954]

Great video. Not only do you explain things very simply you give great examples and the science behind why what you do works. Also your accent is incredible to listen to! Thanks you very much for the valuable information.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

John I am happy you like my accent! and more than that, how you like the video, I appreciate the feedback. Watch out for seed saving next up.

[@DK-qx3lv]

A balanced peaceful approach. I could listen to you for hours! Thank you

[@sweetefelicity]

Thank you for sharing your expertise with us! I always learn something new from your videos and books.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

That is good Marqueta thanks.

[@mikehurdiss226]

Thanks Charles for your lateral thinking. The exclusion of oxygen thru over watering pot grown plants will be obvious to most gardeners but the consequences for the compost heap are perhaps less so. Have a great week Mike

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Mike

[@tyrloki5999]

So sensible - just like Charles. Charles do you have someone special in your life right now? I can just imagine how fortunate that person may be. A sensitive, well-spoken, intelligent handsome fellow like you...

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Yes thanks and she is Steph Hafferty, gardener and writer

[@jopperstv5842]

thank you Charles keep on posting video this big help on us god bless

[@TheJunkyardgenius]

I'll definitely go and get that book then. keep up the great work. You have inspired a whole generation of gardeners and growers.

[@Lovelygreens]

Dock roots in the compost heap -- stunned. I always take these away from my garden and bin them!

[@missmartpants2269]

Honestly I began my heap with unwanted weeds and added dead tree leaves and green food scraps. I just assumed they would decompose like everything else roots and all. 😊

[@crpth1]

For what it's worth, no organic matter ever leave my property. Bin's are for other "stuff" (plastics, etc.) We've got local garbage separation. But either case, organic matter --> compost heap! From toilet paper cardboard roll to egg shells, veggies, newspapers... Sadly in one of the piles there was even one of our beloved cat!! To point out an "extreme" example! The soil quality as constantly been improving! Year after year the difference is quite noticeable! Considering most of my garden is constituted by a slope that was filled with stone and general landfill dirt! From construction time... Not bad at all! ;-)

[@yanntanoe471]

Good point about the blighted materials, citrus peels and weed root...yes it is annoying to have to find other places to put these, adds extra time. So now I'll add it all. Mine is all well covered anyways. Thanks so much!

[@michelelavender1967]

wow,such a lot of information,thankyou so much,and said in such a calm way

[@adus123]

I compost all my garden waste from my gardening business mixed with fresh horse manure in the summer in a open heap. I have to add water in summer to keep it from drying out. or thow i do need to cover it over winter time. I add it to garden ever year. all good stuff. evry thing gose in it weeds the lot.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Good work Adrian, it is satisfying and it sounds that you are judging moisture levels nicely.

[@adus123]

yes very satisfying and amazing how much garden waste a small heap will consume over a year.

[@angela9290]

I am so pleased to have found your channel! We have two composts now, and I have a lingering feeling now they are too wet and too green! Which would explain why the first one is taking so long to decompose. Thankyou!

[@GrowWithKit]

Great video and I’ve learnt a lot from the information you’ve provided, thank you

[@Mahia965]

The calmest person and the most soothing voice on KZbin!! Thumbs up and subscribed.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Many thanks Mahia

[@masonkoller8962]

Thank you so much, sir for the great video! I’m a bit rubbish at composting unless it’s via the black soldier flies that seem to love our scraps. 😋

[@pennyk2798]

Black soldier flies are good!

[@deggers1981]

Brilliant!

[@ruthylister]

I simply thank you.

[@janbiskup1529]

Super. Dzięki za tłumaczenie