Composting from start to finish in different types of heap| Including a ground level wormery

Composting from start to finish in different types of heap| Including a ground level wormery
The many ways to make compost!
All are easier when you know the underlying principles, which I explain here.
See the differences between larger heaps which generate and hold much heat, then smaller pallet heaps, and Dalek bins. This is early August 2023.
We finish the tour with a look at my wormery, for potting compost.
00:00 Introduction
00:33 Seven-month-old compost - I spread it on top of a bed, then rake level
02:47 A look at the compost bays in my seven-bay system
03:14 What’s been added to the heaps - browns and greens
04:22 The temperature of heaps, and how you can lessen it
05:30 Adding sieved woodchip to a heap
06:01 Reason for having solid sides to the bays
06:21 Adding sieved soil to the heap
07:06 Another potential brown, the branches of a willow tree
07:27 Another heap, started on 3rd July, and the reason for having plastic on top
07:59 A look at the compost, and why and when to turn it (once only) - an idea of timings
09:30 Another heap, made over the winter, already turned once
09:56 A younger heap of half-decomposed compost, being used for the worms in the wormery
10:49 How we manage these compost bays at this time of year
11:13 A heap covered in black plastic, and a look the organisms underneath
12:30 The wormery - making compost for propagation
13:34 A look under the plastic cover, and what we use to feed the worms
15:26 A summary
My other videos about making compost are in the playlist • Compost Making
See my website for written descriptions charlesdowding.co.uk/compost-...
You can join this channel by paying a monthly fee, to support our work with helping gardeners grow better, and to receive monthly videos made only for members:
/ @charlesdowding1nodig
#compost #composting #nodig

[@MarkSoliday]

A gardener will always have a reasonable excuse to start a new pile of composting materials. It's almost my favorite thing about gardening, seeing the raw material transform into nutrients for the garden.

[@sqeekable]

Me too, I’m a spontaneous gardener but very keen composter.

[@tomburns3113]

that sums up my gardening exactly@@sqeekable

[@jab4634]

Me too, I have just started my 64 day project making compost in a bin with all the holes sides and underneath with a secure lid. Can't wait to see the results but do check every 5-10 days

[@MarkSoliday]

Good to hear!@@jab4634

[@tanyareynolds1960]

Invaluable information. Thank you Charles for giving this freely. You must be making a difference to so many people

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thank you Tanya that is kind 🙂

[@PlantGuild]

Composting has become what I have started to call a hobby. I love inspecting my compost, trying new things that I learn from these videos, checking the temperatures, learning about the types of bugs and fungi that I’m seeing in my piles and then talking my family and co-workers ears off about how beneficial compost is to so many things. These videos are fantastic and ‘King Charles of No Dig’ will always be an inspiration to me.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

That's great to hear and thank you 🙂

[@robertallardice8119]

@@CharlesDowding1nodigCould you tell me where you sourced your soil sieve? Thanks.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

@@robertallardice8119 no record am away sorry

[@GARDENER42]

I'm in the same place; trying different materials, adding moisture, racing pigeon muck, 'recycled' beer, green hedge clippings... This year, I'm composting seaweed mixed with grass clippings solely to use next year in my containers for International Kidney (Jersey Royals if they're grown there) potatoes, in an attempt to bring back the flavour they no longer have since they stopped fertilising their fields with seaweed & moved to agrochemicals (guess which potatoes I no longer buy...).

[@Minimalist11Guy]

Thank you Charles, I have an addiction to composting and a fascination about the tiny creatures that turn waste into nectar for our plants. This is the best ever way to grow healthy food and should be taught at school.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Great to hear Alan 🙂

[@seanjamescameron]

Just returned home from a day at Sissinghurst Castle Gardens, nice to see they have introduced no dig into their very large kitchen garden.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Very cool Sean, since 2011 when Sarah asked me to advise there

[@GARDENER42]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig Hi Charles, you have a cryptocurrency spammer in the comments below, along with its host of supporters. ETA I see it's been eliminated.

[@manuelrojas4483]

Buenos consejos.Nunca se tiene suficiente compost para el huerto 😅😅 Es el principal trabajador de huerto porque produce muchas verduras y te evita mucho trabajo.Saludos desde Tenerife!! 👏🏻👏🏻🍅🌸🐝🥕🌽🥦🌹🌿🐈

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

saludos y gracias Manuel

[@seanjamescameron]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig Tip: take the most used phrases of the spammers and put that phrase in the ‘blocked words’ section in the settings on KZbin and that will stop them appearing.

[@walbiramurray5762]

I finally have worms in my garden! It’s taken a while, as the native soil in the Central Australian desert doesn’t naturally have much organic matter and our summers are scorching. I am sure that my new garden friends is due to down to using lots of cardboard and compost and the no dig method I have learnt from you! Thanks Charles!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

That's great to hear Walbira

[@HGCUPCAKES]

Well done Walbira! Im so glad you’ve got your own worms! I’m on the west coast of Australia and we have white sand. We have to build our soil up also.

[@DrEnginerd1]

I envy the english weather. I've spent weeks around 40-45 degrees C and my garden is absolutely massacred. The fact that youre wearing a jacket and jeans outside in August is just mind blowing.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Oh wow, so different, hope it cool soon

[@robertling9872]

Thank you Charles for all your inspiring videos. For years I have been using your NoDig compost method with great pleasure. It is impressive how much soil life is present in my NoDig vegetable garden.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Wonderful to hear that

[@YardmanGardenArtstv]

Master at work, can't put a price on that. So much Valuable lessons, Thank you very much for all the Education and knowledge you giving us. I'm learning! Hope everyone is growing beautiful organic healthy foods. This man Charles is a very important person, so everyone in his close circle continue help keep him safe and sound. 🙏🏽 One Love to you all ❤️💛💚

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thank you that is kind 🙂

[@YardmanGardenArtstv]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig You are very welcome Sir.

[@yvonnejackson1696]

I’m happy to see someone who experiments with different techniques and reports the results whether successful or not. I suspect that most gardening advice is a result of the advisor reading another gardening book, never trying anything else and reporting that as THE way to garden. If you don’t try new things you don’t learn anything.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Cheers Yvonne

[@cannabisresistance6757]

👍

[@adus123]

I love the smell 8:25 of Finished hot compost or almost Finished. I let my Chickens Finish the compost They are excellent composters I call them my waste management team. I think all them good microbes keep them healthy as well

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

💚

[@j.b.4340]

Composting is my favorite. Thank you.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

💚

[@leedza]

The only man who is not afraid of bindweed. That was the scourge of our new plot

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

So often true, keep at it!!

[@jeremydesmond4275]

Yes my Charles, loving the blazer as well as the info. Just because you're in the garden doesn't mean you need to look shabby. Keeping it sharp!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Jeremy

[@peterkinner1678]

Marvellous Compost! I never dreamt that I would have said that when I was younger.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

😂

[@hoffington]

Really enjoy listening to Charles, he has a calming voice

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thank you 🙂

[@frankiaconis7788]

I love the bucket that's been taped together to extend its life. Great videos Charles, you have helped and inspired so many people.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks 👍

[@clay9617]

Guess today's my lucky day! I was just about to build a Compost Bucket and start my own!

[@strategy_fan847]

Can't get enought of compost videos! This is my second season growing my own vegies now, last autumn I bought a shredder and that made my compost volume go up 2x+ already compared to this time last year with still a few months left. My problem now is to find space to enlarge my heaps and not to worry how to filll them anymore which is a good problem to have :) Thank you Charles for taking your time and sharing your knowledge with all of us.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thank you and my pleasure

[@itsmewende]

My Grandson is amazed how what he eats can turn into soil over time. As well as "look gram, there's worms in there now, where did they come from?"

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Love that!

[@cymarcymar5939]

Very Nice

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thank you

[@magspies]

thx, such useful information!

[@austin2842]

I like to add a small amount of heavy clay soil to my compost. It combines well, and seems to improve moisture and nutrient retention.

[@Htrac]

My entire garden is heavy clay, I wouldn't want more of it in the compost. Better the other way around - digging compost into the heavy clay to improve its structure and drainage, or adding it on the top as a mulch to break down and be carried into the clay.

[@brendabadih8855]

Austin are you in TX? I too collect chunks of gumbo, hammer them smaller to add to compost. I also put clumps into a big tub of water and use it to water plants in pots and in beds. Gumbo is mineral rich and there is no shortage of gumbo in TX. Red gumbo is my fav. I like to cut it w leaves, grass, old oak wood, kitchen scraps, manure and hay litter, add 25 earthworms. Let it sit for 3-6 months in a 30 gal planter, water weekly if no rain. Roll it out, flip it over on a sheet. ahhhh so nice! Whatever is not broken down use to start next tub. Earthworms will not leave a good compost. Don't let your tub dry out, keep in shade. See you in the garden!

[@carlafawcett3851]

Making compost is so fun. I have worm bins all around my gardens. I love them !

[@jeshurunfarm]

Every time I watch your composting videos I learn something new, in actual fact, every video. Respect from Africa 🇿🇦

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

That's great to hear Jeshurun

[@1twilight9]

Nice one Charles. I was only this evening checking my lovers leap for insects. The centipedes are doing very well, munching away. 👍

[@carolinegathercole8473]

Due to back issues I had to give up digging a few years ago so this is a win win for me! Will start collecting leaves for leaf mould to spread on my lawns in a couple of years time Thanks Charles❤ your content.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

my pleasure

[@kjetilknyttnev3702]

You inspired me to buy a house on the countryside, with 7500 squaremeters of property. I'm just starting my first compost heaps now, hopefully it will let me fertilize my first beds next sommer. Super excited, as I have unlimited materials for compost just around the houses. Can't wait to start my own garden adventure.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Best of luck! So good is your excitement :)

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

That's great! Enjoy 🙂

[@mojavebohemian814]

Thank you. One of your best compost videos. I enjoy making compost as much as gardening and....eating!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thank you Mojave 🙂

[@Ann-qf5vk]

Just noticed the cat. Thank you for composting video. I only have one wee black one. It's full of insects so now am thinking that's good. Heading into small garden tomorrow to check compost.

[@ShayBayBay585]

I have been waiting for this video!! Ty sir! 💚🫶🏽

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

My pleasure ChandalLynn

[@virginaross500]

Thank you Charles! You can never talk too much about compost 😍. I would so love to replicate your beautiful structure with roof for composting. Can you do a video with more detail on how to construct with dimensions etc. I wouldn't have a clue how to construct such a structure and would be very helpful to know how to make one the same as yours not like the house the Jack built.

[@peterluty1953]

I believe he got some builders in to do it. They seem to have made a good job of it....

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Yes, we dug the holes for the concrete foundations of the main pillars and the builders put it up in a day, details of the wood you need are here charlesdowding.co.uk/compost-using-and-making/

[@virginaross500]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig wonderful thank you!

[@KK-FL]

I love when the kitties help you garden!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

😍

[@sharonscott8358]

I'm currently creating a heap outside the compost bins of compost ready to be put in the beds, covered with black plastic as I've run out of space in the bins. . We also have one completely full ready as well. I have 5 compost bins (most dalek but one wooden), which my husband constantly has to move from one to the other to free up the first one so I can fill it. Its a bit like a conveyer belt. We've managed to make lots of compost this year as a result of all the weeds this year because of all the rain we have had.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Sounds great Sharon 🙂

[@potagermalo]

Vraiment top bravo 😊

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Merci

[@potagermalo]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig de rien

[@smas3256]

Wow Charles. That looks like a lot of heavy work but very satisfying. Great to see helpers. Seeing your cat visit you in the garden and then the both of you getting back to work is nice. The coyotes here are allowed freedom to visit all the yards. We don't see cats anymore that used to get rid of the rodents. Our capital building is only 6 minutes away. Frustrating. On the bright side. My garden is doing very good stuff. lol Be blessed.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Nice to hear!

[@fanjiang9317]

I love making compost especially hot compost. I have a tiny garden plus a big deck. Fortunately my neighbor let me use their space to make compost, I give vegetable in return. Since the space is limited, I have to make a small compost pile but I turn it every few days. If I get neighbors grass clippings then my compost will be really hot. I have a worm compost bin as well. I have been watching your KZbin for many years. I learned so much. Thank you very much.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

That sounds excellent, and thanks

[@nickmihailovic]

Thank you for sharing 😊

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

My pleasure Nick

[@lauranyc4966]

God bless you 💕🙏🏻💕🙏🏻💕🙏🏻💕🙏🏻

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

💚

[@claudiacesar890]

Good morning Dear Charles. This is one of the best compost videos you've made. In fact, of all the wonders you present to us, the compound is for me the most important and mysterious. For me "no dig" would be very important. I've already made 2 small beds with self-made compost and it resulted in a lot less work and a lot less weeds. And everything I learned was mainly from you. I am not very cautious nor very rigid in the characteristics of my compost. Basically I put everything. And all sorts of insects appear in my compost bins, most of them I can't even figure out what they are. Sometimes they appear in large numbers and soon after disappear and give way to others. I try to respect the proportions of green and brown, but I have to adapt because the temperatures here in Lisbon are much higher in the summer. I don't have many conditions, but maybe buying a thermometer would be very well thought out. :) I really admire your work and it's always a pleasure to be with you.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

So nice to see this Claudia, thanks. I hope your beds continue to thrive, and your compost making :)

[@agarsorchids7708]

Very informative, thank you!!!❤

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

💚

[@leonardofaedo707]

Always a class...Thank you, Charles.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

My pleasure Leonardo

[@spaideman7850]

beautiful

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thank you 🙂

[@lindasands1433]

Oh, I wish I was this organized with compost! ❤

[@farmstrong5434]

Another great video! Lovely informative description ❤

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Glad you enjoyed it 🙂

[@laurencejohnson4106]

A splendid set up!👍👍

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thank you

[@kela2210]

Lovely video Charles, see you on December🇨🇱🖐

[@rosemaryogilvie6842]

Great, practical information. Thank you Charles.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

My pleasure Rosemary

[@susanskinner8855]

Excellent information. Thank you !

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Glad you enjoyed it Susan

[@T_B1]

Youre always veey smartly dressed for the garden 😊

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

😊 thank you - my son Edward who films is on it!

[@DubDigital]

just have to say...I love your jacket

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks 🙂

[@evadariasbeautell8760]

That's incredible, Brian! So well explained!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Ah good!

[@virginaross500]

I totally agree, the most exciting alchemy

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

💚

[@corkion]

love your vids you are so calm

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thank you Con

[@permaheretic]

Aww, kitty!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

🐈

[@pennythompson4790]

Great advice thanksx

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

🙂

[@cjshake]

Absolutely brilliant video! Made me exited to find out what my compost will turn out like in a few months time! 😀 👨‍🌾

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

That's nice to hear!

[@cumbrianhomestead]

Always enjoy watching your videos Charles, great dive into the 'how to' of composting 👍👍 ATB Woody

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Woody 👍

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

I am glad you enjoy them and thank you

[@cumbrianhomestead]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig Thank you too! I've been gardening since I was 13, but I've learned so much from you in the last few years it's a revelation!

[@lenkasurianska]

🙏 wonderful garden and perfect compost.... Thank you, Charles, for great video and informations. 🌞🌱💚

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Lenka 🙂

[@stingaling]

Excellent video. Thank you Charles. I intend to take composting making seriously from now on!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks and go for it!

[@sandrafuentes3449]

Hello sr dowding .saludos ❤️

[@angeliquehobbs1414]

I enjoy watching your compost videos. Wow, that’s a lot of worms!!! 😮 I started a small pallet bay and my chickens are helping me fill it.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

That's great to hear Angelique

[@antemercep8844]

This is first time that I used my own made compost from last year and I was so pleased by result and insane worm population in it.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Fantastic Ante that is great to hear, go you!

[@James1980-]

So nice to see that compost developing especially after I spent hours turning that end bay! We’re away in the alps and have been for 3 weeks so it’s nice to get my gardening fix! 16c! I hope it warms up for our return.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Good luck! You did a great job James, and it's 23-24C this week :)

[@sallygiles132]

Fabulous info, easy to understand as well. Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge 🤗🤗😍

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

My pleasure Sally

[@joealati]

This was very interesting. I have always maintained compost. You gave me ideas as to how to maintain a larger pile as it has been hard to make enough for my larger garden.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

I am glad you found it interesting and given you some ideas 🙂

[@heatherbower5539]

From where I live , in a desert climate, I have to dig compost into my soil initially. One of my best beds this summer was one I did this with last year. I had put compost heap on top and checked on it a year later and it still was sitting on top of the clay a year later. It’s done amazing now and I will plan to put compost on top each year and see if it continues this way. All the fruit was true to size for variety and did well even though we had an extremely hot summer (I had a watermelon there which I did not feed otherwise, just water). Very cool results. I’m doing another bed this way to see if it does the same.

[@dorotaguziak8838]

Kochać Pana to za mało 😁tyle się uczę. Thank you

[@robertevans8024]

Polska ???🤔

[@dorotaguziak8838]

@@robertevans8024 tak

[@isabelladavis1363]

I’m always so amazed at the beautiful soil that recycles from our waste…I’m using comfrey water as a nitrogen addition since I don’t have any animal waste to add…but it’s been a wonderful addition…always have a pile in process and can’t wait to finalize the newest beds and complete the garden abundance…stay blessed lover of the earth_…

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Sounds wonderful 😀

[@adus123]

I've never seen a Slow worm but i get Grass snakes Laying eggs in my compost heaps Apparently they are Perfect egg incubators for Grass snakes.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

We find them under plastic, commonly!

[@zimmermanlandscape9287]

I have laid out two 4x25 rows for potatoes next spring. I used a layer of cardboard, a layer of fine branches and vines raked up out of the forest, a layer of leaves/grass, and a topping of compost. Our winters have frequent rains and freeze/thaw cycles which I’m hoping will help to break down the fine branches quickly. Anything I felt wouldn’t break down over the winter was removed with a pair of clippers

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Sounds promising, roll on the spring

[@zimmermanlandscape9287]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig yep. I found an old roll of two meter landscape felt that I had forgotten about. Excludes light but lets the water through. I will use your technique eight plants per sheet.

[@jimmy6282]

nice

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

💚

[@tedbastwock3810]

I have watched all of your videos, and on each and every one of the composting videos I tell you how great they are and ask for more. You really outdid yourself here with this one! Your new(ish) wormery really helps take your composting to a new level. It was VERY interesting for me to visually compare the incredible worm castings on top of your mature heap to the wormery bin. I'm interested in a wormery for both the castings for veg, and in order to raise the worms as a protein source to a homemade chicken feed one day. Thanks so much for sharing, we are all, indeed, the WORLD is so very much indebted to you for all that you share. I tell people about you every chance I get! I tell people about you who somehow think their little home garden of 1000 sqft or 1/2 ac or so somehow think (as I used to!!) that their gardening should mimic the industrial AG style, with till, synthetic additives, etc. If I were smarter I could be more succinct .. let me say this .. thank you and bless you 🙏

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

So nice of you Ted, happy you like this! Thanks for the promotions.

[@maritzaceballos4441]

My husband and I live in a suburb of kansas ,Lenexa we are part of a Native share program. I allow areas for natives and we also are doing raised organic beds. we have a nice harvest this years am planting as you suggested in between crops. love your Garden experiments I also have been doing my own is a learning process.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

That is awesome! I wish you abundance

[@zacgoad1507]

Wonderful video as always, Charles. I've added a layer of mushroom substrate on top of my beds, much in the same way you'd spread your own compost; the peanut hulls and wheat bran create a layer that holds moisture, but stops rain water from splashing everywhere onto leaves. So, I get nutrients for the roots and clean leaves to eat. Keep up the wonderful content.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

That's a great idea Zac

[@andyc972]

Thank you Charles, lots of great advice and myths busted here on the "Dark art" ! I opened a new bale of bark chips yesterday that's been hanging around a few months, and it was crawling with ants and ant eggs so it went straight in the barrow and has been spread in our small wooded area, I'll collect it up again in a few months when they will have moved on hopefully. This area is proving a good source of compost now as we planted the trees 25 years ago so have a good amount of leaf mould, we also put all the shredded material from our hedges down there too - ground level is a good 8-10 inches higher than when we started !

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

How amazing, great soil building!

[@Knit333]

Well that is all my questions answered😁. Got just one Dalek. And only get to the half decomposted state. But it is full with worms. In autumn I wil empty it and leave a layer with worms on the bottom to start the next heap. I need more compost and will try composting leaves this winter.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

I am glad that I answered your questions 🙂

[@thc7556]

💚💚💚

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

💚

[@KentuckyCornbread3219]

I use a mix consisting of 1/3 coco coir, 1/3 rice hulls(organic) & 1/3 worm castings for my seed start mix it works very well. Wonderful video Charles thank you

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Sounds great Troy!

[@roccoconte2960]

Great talk on compost Charles, but no bind weed please I've been fighting it for 25 years now can't get rid of it.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

It disappears in my heaps even cool ones. That sounds long....!

[@biffnolan9668]

As someone who’s been “tickled” afew times by Centipede’s, they are one thing that does not last long around my Garden. 😂

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

😮

[@peterwalker6020]

A great educational video again, I take pride in my compost, if anyone had told me when I was twenty years old that I would get excited about seeing worm's in my compost I wouldn't have believed them. I never understand how they know that I have compost, where do they come from, I'm referring to the small brown ones that appear in compost.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Lovely to see this Peter and yes they are supreme opportunists!

[@brent3611]

Those chipped willow branches and leaves will be a fine addition to the compost. 👌 I've been adding pigeon dung in my compost and I think it makes it quite nitrogen heavy. Might be why my tomato plants are big and lush but not really stacked with fruit the way I'd like. Balance is key.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Though if adding too much, the compost would be sticky

[@dovinhgarden05]

Tuyêij vời

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Cảm ơn

[@dudeusmaximus6793]

Have had the same results with earthworm castings on my starts. I've been using some bagged stuff I bought a couple of years ago and adding it makes the plants go wild. Starting to make my own so to bump up the percentage and save money being castings aren't particularly cheap. Like your setup, it's simpler and more inexpensive than what I've seen elsewhere on the web.

[@sofiamiliaressis5403]

I don’t have a wormery but there’s an abundance of worms in my Dalek compost bin so pretty stoked about that.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Nice to hear!

[@michaelboom7704]

I like have didn't types of composting on the go at one time. I am redoing a section of garden beds which I am doing trench composting with my yard scraps. Years ago I had done that which I came across some pieces of boards which were still intact, I am always looking for ways to get more out of composting but space is limited.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Good to hear

[@chompers11]

Love your content charles. Do you have any related to larger fabric grow bags or container? I'm a perma renter for now and can only grow in 10 gal grow bags which are rather large but I'd love to see your take on working those as well as beds and greenhouses if at all possible some day! Youve gotta have some gravel or something you aren't growing anything on and could throw some fabric pots and make magic happen

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Not yet, shall see if we can but time is short

[@helenstewart2085]

If your pots don't freeze all winter, only occasionally you can grow brassicas, chard, lettuce loose leaf, finger carrots, parsley all winter in pots as long as you can place them protected from the wind and provide some frost protection. Have been experimenting with smaller pots down to 30cm x 30cm this year, have added celery to the experiment.

[@p.a.6170]

1. I am always panicky afraid of mold forming - you are not, I see!❤ could you explain a bit? 2. How about the paper(carton and other) being treated with bleaches, strengthening solutions, etc that are toxic? Thank you!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Regarding the paper and card, I'm not using a huge amount but want to Compost my waist so I just avoid any paper or cardboard which is shiny. I have faith in the microbes ability to do their work of decomposition even on a few synthetic chemicals. Moulds are in my view exaggerated because they mostly occur on older leaves, which are already in process of decomposition, and which plants are allowing to decompose. If it's plants under cover, you can avoid wetting leaves. The understanding is that mould and mildew happen where conditions are right, and it's you who controls the garden conditions eg remove older leaves, but you can't change the weather so essentially yes, worry less

[@p.a.6170]

@@CharlesDowding1nodigoh my,…thanks a million, Charles🙏🏼

[@partidaportet27]

I saw a study where they used bind weed extracts to cure pernicious and aggressive cancers in mice..they had some super results..I am sure one day soon, we will all learn to love bind weed.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

How wonderful!

[@amoya3214]

Hi Charles I still find myself not understanding how to build a compost heap do you have any video you can refer me to.i really enjoy watching you it's such a pleasure hope one day I can get to where you are

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks, try this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/aZikqJmwrpWkgtk

[@amoya3214]

Thanks for the reply

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

my pleasure Amoya

[@johnfajer7691]

Charles, thanks for sharing your expertise. You truly are a treasure of humanity. How long does it take you to fill a bin, and do you fill it with any organic matter from outside your acreage? Thanks!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks. Depends on the season, 5 weeks to 4 months and yes mainly the woodchip

[@jahanarakhatun6272]

অসাধারণ l

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

💚

[@rjones8576]

I watch Charles’ videos just to relax. His voice, the environment, the birds chirping..brings me a lot of peace for some reason.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Nice to hear 😊

[@sofiamiliaressis5403]

Hi Charles, pretty conclusive video this one showing us all of your compositing bays & methods. Thank you for schooling us on how it can be done so simply & easily. Simple….stupid….done! 🌱 Cheers Sofia

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

My pleasure Sofia

[@franksinatra1070]

I try and follow your gardening model as close as possible by amending with compost in the Autumn but my compost is usually never completely finished by the time I'm ready to spread it. I figure that doesn't matter so much since I usually don't plant in it until the following spring. But even if I do have to amend a bed in mid summer with unfinished compost for a succession planting it never seems to be an issue and I always get good results. I'm going to be trying leaf mold soon for the first time but I don't know if I will get as good results from that. I also have a lot of tree roots I have to fight to get to that ugh. Thanks Charles!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

😀 yes, unfinished compost is fine when it's on top as you are discovering

[@jn6554]

Great video. Also…really funny if you watch it at half speed.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Glad you enjoyed it 😂

[@keithdempsey2219]

Hi, love your videos,my brother told me about you and i must say you are a breath of fresh air, Im thinking of building a compost heap and was wondering can i make it from galvanized corrugated sheeting? Cheers, Keith.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Keith, that’s nice to hear. You can use corrugated iron, but it’s cool because metal conducts heat away so from that point of view it’s not ideal and I would line it with cardboard as insulation.

[@keithdempsey2219]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig thanks for the quick response,I will definitely line it with cardboard 👍

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

👍 My pleasure

[@tinkeringinthailand8147]

Due to being so busy lately, I hadn't turned my last batch of compost for nearly a year and when I did finally move it over the weekend I was absolutely amazed with the amount of worms in it, and how rich it looked. Maybe this is the way forward here :)

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Wonderful and you could spread it now, or later!

[@tinkeringinthailand8147]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig I will spread it this week, but I will try to keep the worms so I can start a worm farm :)

[@tinkeringinthailand8147]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig I want to remove a lot of the worms first Charles, so I can start a worm farm in an old bathtub I have:) I have some even older compost, which I mixed a few sacks of composted chicken poop into, I will use this for my winter (your summer) crops LOL.

[@saschathinius7082]

I personaly would assign Charles a honorary Doctor Titel in composting... i have learned so much from him... In my alotment gardeners come to me for advice on composting and no dig soil health

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Ah so nice Sascha! Great they want to learn from your example

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

You are very kind thank you Sascha I am glad you are spreading the word of no dig 🙂

[@patriciahill1101]

Charles, you're wearing your lovely corduroy? jacket in the garden on Aug 3? I'm an old seasoned gardener and I have learned so much from watching your channel. No dig is so good. And as a busy/lazy gardener I've suffered much guilt from not digging deeply and often. However, succession is what I was really missing...ALWAYS have some new start on hand to replace harvested crops. Thank you so much!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Yes I was, the weather was cool and has warmed since then. Great that you are succeeding