Composting in a few easy steps - quick ways to make and use compost in a no dig garden

[@gbat6727]

No Dig works any where Canada here went no dig this year after years of trying to fix my clay soil. Harvest this year was amazing. Yes I had to buy compost to do what I need to do this year even with my own compost piles. My shelves are filled with my own produce to last through a cold Canadian winter, I will not go back to what most consider normal gardening.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks for your feedback and it gives me great pleasure to hear of such results 🏆

[@kevinrogers326]

I think no dig has become the normal gardening now.

[@RockinStevieD]

I agree it's been awesome in Canada

[@kevinrogers326]

@@RockinStevieD Must say I don't follow it myself though but I'm feel the exception rather than the rule. For the scale I have it just takes more compost than I can generate and I am too tight to buy it. For a few raised beds or the massive scale of CD I think it is far more economically feasible.

[@treyellis3]

Awesome to hear! I live in Tx and our soil is heavy clay. I've been doing no dig and just added cheap organic potting soil mixed with the compost I generated from lawn care and kitchen scraps. I'm well on my way to a food forest already in just a year and a half.

[@carolhendley760]

You are Captain Compost in my book. I must say though that I’ve adopted some odd behaviors along this journey, such as cornering stock-boys at the grocery to confiscate their boxes or stopping by the road to gather grass clippings when the ditches are being mowed. I’m having great fun! Thank you so much for inspiring me. I only wish I’d had this knowledge before age 65, but I guess I’m proof that you really can teach an old dog new tricks.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Wonderful to imagine you popping up here and there Carol, gathering materials 😀

[@laurad2136]

Haha... and you should try the coffee shops too

[@margarethairsine8648]

I know the feeling Carol! I find myself eyeballing the yard waste bags of my neighbours and also the recycling bin at the nursing home i work at for things to use for potting up and what not. Happy Gardening :)

[@carolhendley760]

@@margarethairsine8648 A kindred spirit!

[@jcking6785]

We are sisters from different mothers, Carol! My biological sisters think I’m nuts but I just keep on doing my thing! 😁

[@georgez234]

1:42 Charles, I've also gotten to that certain age that I can say what I know is true without worrying what anyone thinks about it. Good on you and me, brother.

[@carolynmoody9460]

The knowledge I have learned from you over the years has been not only needed but has now blessed my family with an abundance of food..thank you for all you do

[@eleanorrigby1176]

Same thank u

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

You are so welcome Carolyn, thanks for sharing, a lovely thought at bedtime!

[@tbabou91]

Hello From Chile, in the central area where we have arid climate. We have been making compost for few years now, trying different ways to find the best method with that climate. It has been a very long run sprayed of mistakes and little victories. With or without worms, mixing it or not, with or without cardboard.. by now we have 2 heaps of 1*1,20m with plenty of worms. Using one until filling it and then the other one letting the the first one resting. We add all organic wastes from the kitchen, making a small hole in the compost, mixing a bit with cardboard and the more mature compost. Adding water main of the times. We had troubles with acidity, smell and flies especially in winter as we love eating oranges and lemons. Despite of the weather, the compost doesn’t get so hot and seeds survive and sprout in the beds (tomatoes especially). What would you suggest to control acidity and smell during the winter? We used to add bicarbonate sodium on the top and within the fresh organic wastes if we have lots of oranges and lemons. Thank you for sharing your experience and knowledge about good practices to grow food. It is so useful! Morgan

[@dale3696]

Great video as always Charles... Laughed when you said you were getting too old, not to speak the truth & say it as it really is!!. That's why I love your videos. They are based on your decades of experience, research , observation & experimentation and you actually do what you say. Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge & taking the time to make the videos, it is very much appreciated. Cheers

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Dale

[@chauthechimp]

I am from Saigon, Vietnam. I was born and bred in the city all my life. I just got a chance to learn how to grow plants due to lock down in my city. Your knowegde help me with my kitchen waste composting and growing pot herbs, vegetables and flowers on my 20m2 terrace. I am grateful for all your work. Thank you so much.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

How nice, and a small benefit of lockdown! I am impressed

[@Helios_Panoptes]

Man... you're debunking a lot of agricultural dogmas, myths and fears, with such a shocking calmness. Approximately 10 years of experience in this job I have, still a lot to learn, and everything is becoming increasingly simpler and more enjoyable. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and many blessings to you.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Nice to see this and thanks. I'm happy that you are enjoying it more!

[@joanp105]

My husband is adamant about NOT having a compost area in our garden, since we have had bears visit and make a mess of our bird feeding area, and a friends has had rats come to her compost pile. Since I would never kill any animal, I have to buy compost in plastic bags!! We live in a very bio diverse area which I love ( upstate New York, USA) and have been using the no dig method to prepare many new areas on the property for future gardening sites. Thanks for sharing so much information with your enthusiastic followers all over the world. You make a positive difference in our world👍👍👍

[@richards5110]

you should still be able to compost yard waste and garden debris without any problems (wood chips, leaves, grass clippings, dead plants etc.). I'm also in upstate NY, originally Northern VT, and bears have no interest in that stuff at all.

[@2learn4ever]

BEARS!! And I was just worrying about mice!!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Amazing. Soil food web!!

[@ienekevanhouten4559]

I hear you about bears! I used to collect the odd “visiting card” and add it to the pile. Just so if people asked me how I grew my garden, I could smile sweetly and say “Bear manure”. That was on an acreage, Kootenay region in Southern Interior B.C. I am in the village now and have to worry about rats. My solution is to put anything remotely food like in a tumbler first, then add it to the pile when it is half done. Things like apple and potato peelings.

[@richards5110]

@@ienekevanhouten4559 Great strategy! What tumbler are you using?

[@moocowmomma]

Just opened my first bin of a three bin pallet system like the one you show. I started it last fall and so excited to make two new beds for my mustard greens and lettuces this winter here in Florida. I turned it once last spring (after watching a video of yours). I went around and gathered everybody's leaf bags early this year to add to all the green we have over the summer. Just getting to the last of that and only halfway through bin number 2. Those bins are bigger than I thought, but we are getting it done. The finished compost looks so pretty and fluffy, thrilled!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

How wonderful, I love that you find it exciting 😀

[@eh6363]

Your videos are always a joy to watch because of your sincerity and joy for gardening. Thank you.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

You are so welcome

[@wendyburgess2962]

This Man is a kindred Spirit. I love your show. I would have to agree about the do’s and don’ts. I have an enormous amount of Plantain and curly Dock. So I use them as my Greens. Not enough Vegetable waste, so have to think outside the square. I was watching a Video the other day where a Lady used a lot of fresh Horse Manure to heat her Greenhouse as she lives in a very cold part of UK. I have 3 Ponies and 5 Chickens, so love recycling and utilising all that I can get my hands on.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks for sharing Wendy, good to compost dock leaves :) Hotbeds are great!

[@GordonjSmith1]

Composting is both 'wonderful', and 'surprising'! Two years ago we moved house and bought a 'robo- composting bin' (just a plastic bin with a lid on top, about a meter high). Into it we have been putting all the 'fresh' (non cooked) kitchen waste, and all the 'poop' and bedding from our rabbit. The bin is still no where close to being full! In the process, I seem to have become an 'expert' worm breeder! However I have also become to appreciate how powerful the natural processes are, that are involved in turning living material into valuable material for other plants. If you want to gain an insight into the natural world, I can seriously recommend a 'compost bin' of almost any size, and just sit back and watch what happens!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Nice comment Gordon! Captivating indeed.

[@gamechangertmc3994]

Can you tell Me more about this And how it works I would like to know I have rabbits and getting chickens soon

[@arthurdick9553]

Apart from being small the plastic bins are rubbish. The ingredients a compost needs are nitrogen (grass) carbon (manure ,leaf mould) air and water. Not much air and water in a plastic bin,

[@LuckyTown77]

Did you say " compostion" ? That is a fantastic word. No dig is a reality of successful gardens. 🇨🇦

[@yabbadabba5514]

I'd give a limb to be able to wander your lovely garden! 😍 that birdseye view is something to envy!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks 💚

[@debbieengland9461]

I just spread my first ever home made compost! Thank you for teaching me how to make it. My bins are made from pallets like these ones, and was worried about it not getting hot. I turned once like you said in a previous video. We actually had grass snakes laying in it which was an amazing discovery. I'm looking forward to seeing how my raspberries do next year, it's so exciting creating something so useful out of 'waste' and very satisfying lowering my carbon footprint and reducing landfill. Thank you

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Wonderful Debbie, so nice to hear!

[@MorningsattheAllotment]

Charles, you have been such an inspiration to me! Your advice has helped me realize that sometimes I can just let my garden do what it needs to be doing...

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

😀

[@franksinatra1070]

I love your composting videos. I've actually come to enjoy composting as much as gardening ... although I guess composting is part of gardening :)

[@enriquevasquez9600]

Thank you for sharing your experience with us. Greetings from the Dominican Republic.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

💚

[@neilanscombe7348]

thank you charles for this video, since going no dig 2 years ago, i now compost everything : blighted plants, roots of bind weed, dandelion, couch grass. making beautiful compost others on my site " oh yoyu cant compost that" i just let them get on with it. but then most people admire how good looking my crops are and how few weeds i have. yet when i talk about no dig they still rather dig. strange. have a great week!!!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

😀 lovely to hear of your results neil, and I have always found it so strange that people often ignore what is right in front of them, something that can save them time and give great results! There's a big understanding here for humanity.

[@Lauradicus]

Maybe if they knew how much carbon they were releasing with each shovel full of disturbance they would think twice? Oh well, at least the chiropractors are happy.

[@neilanscombe7348]

@@Lauradicusunbelievabley one plot holder last winter dug his plot over 3 times, unfortunately some people are just stuck in their ways, same as when I use peat free occasionally I get no problems with germination, but the same people always state its rubbish and they can't grow in it.

[@hendrikarqitekt6286]

It’s always a pleasure to hear your voice. Thx Charles.

[@waynesell3681]

Inspiration for being a better gardener! March 16 and 39 degrees F. Cool week ahead good for some heavy work and chores. Thank you Charles, you've got a spring in your steps!

[@lisabevans8107]

You made me smile again, Charles. I'm away from the garden and missing it badly. Ty for the video. Hagd.

[@suebar5177]

"It's a joy to behold..." as are you Sir Charles 🌞 Thanks for all your teaching!

[@GutenGardening]

Key! "Inform yourself". Remain teachable and have fun! Love your work.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

💚

[@heartsbane1118]

I love all of your videos on composting. I have followed your guidelines for several years now, and my garden has benefited immensely. Thank you!

[@daveschreiner413]

"There's a lot of nonsense out there" That's the truth! Thank you for your videos. I have learned so much.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Glad you like them 😀

[@tbrown2302]

I follow your advice because you speak from experience. Thank you for all the valuable and useable information. Blessings from Oregon, USA.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

You are so welcome

[@Picci25021973]

Almost everything I know on composting comes from Charles' books and videos. I use to compost even bones, meat and dairy leftovers from the kitchen. Never had any issue, nor rats. Thank You Charles!

[@mikemorton954]

Be honest, you just composted any rats that made it into the pile 😂

[@Picci25021973]

@@mikemorton954 and probably a couple of cats too... Seriously, I throw leftovers on the pile and cover them immediately with a couple of shovels of manure. Even the rats do not dare to eat them.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

So nice, gulp, thanks for sharing and happy to help!

[@jenbear8652]

The only time I ever had rats was when I dumped in a bunch of dried corn (we tried it for grinding our own corn meal, but didn’t like it)

[@juguruteacher6204]

Heya Charles. I've learned so much from you after watching nearly 100 videos. I know you generally set about 6 months for compost, ish........ I live in the tropics. If I start a large say, 1.5 meters high by 2 meters wide pile of leaves, weeds, and other small bits I find I have finished compost in 2-3 months. Adding manure, pouring urine, and turning it every 2 weeks helps. If I turn it only once through the process it takes 4-6 months. Sometimes I will add small sticks, palm, etc and it generally gets tossed in the next pile when I sort it out. Thinking of starting a compost business next year as the stuff we have here in SE Asia is rubbish. Thanks again for all your useful tips.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Hi Juguru, and this is music to my ears - a compost business! Many will thank you and I hope you earn money to pay for the work. Your conditions are clearly so different and in some ways ideal, so 3 months is definitely best plan.

[@juguruteacher6204]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig

[@stschubs]

our little farm now composts the town yard waste so that I can produce enough for our market gardens, thank you for all your inspiration! We've worked a lot on balance and heat this year

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Wonderful! Thanks for sharing this lovely news

[@ievamillers9383]

One of my favourite gardening books is yours - 'Gardening Myths'.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thankyou :)

[@wiezyczkowata]

Charles you are a source of an amazing knowledge and I'm really glad that you share it with all of us!!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

I appreciate that!

[@LadyoftheFarm]

Thank you Charles, I’ve been using the pallets as well and have more to use…I have a wood chipper too, I will do more of what you say- I truly appreciate your knowledge and experience thank you kindly! 💚

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Nice to hear and I wish you success

[@TheAllotmentGardenandKitchen]

I’ve made compost for the first time and it is really simple. The points raised in this video will be very helpful to those who are new to making compost so thank you. Kind regards. Gary

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Nice work Gary

[@nickhammersonrocks]

WE COMPOST EVERYTHING AND WE BELIEVE IN EVERYTHING WE COMPOST !!!!!!!!!!

[@tompoynton]

Always good to see my instincts proved right! I have a similar system on the go at the special needs school I work at, so it’s nice to see my methods validated

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

😀🏆

[@helio2k]

I'm starting my first own compost heap and I am genuinely excited about it realising it is the source of nutrients and microbiology for the whole system. Kinda fascinating

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

💚

[@VotumAudiovisual]

I love yours words!!! You have a true...in your garden!!!

[@jennyjohnson9012]

I love composting. We run a poultry farm and use the manure. Black gold! Thankyou for all your wonderful inspiration and ideas Charles.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Cheers Jenny 💚

[@marymcandrew7667]

Only Charles would have greens for the compost that look so good I'd snatch them up for the table! Great video as always.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

😀

[@zacharyhodge1761]

Gave up on my barrel composter after getting anaerobic messes even after upping the carbon in the ratio. Moved to larger heaps outside and got to about 48 C and have lovely compost now. Thanks for all of the videos you share.

[@grisevb461]

Querido Charles respondiste a todas mis preguntas ... compost sin necesidad de calentar... y se puede usar aunque falte un poco... y todo. Me encantó porque este año decidí no andar con vueltas y poner todo en el compost... pasto enredaderas .... cómo experimento porque me parecía demasiado lo que dicen que no se puede poner esto o aquello y me acabas de confirmar!! Siempre una alegría verte. Acá en Bariloche recién empiezo con la siembra de primavera verano. Un abrazo.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Gracias Griselda por sus comentarios y es un placer para mí poder ayudarlo. ¡Es una lástima que tanta gente parezca querer que las cosas se compliquen mucho! Ahora encuentras la alegría de la sencillez. Buena suerte con tus nuevas siembras.

[@grisevb461]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig es un placer y un honor conocerte Charles. No sólo en la huerta ... la sencillez es de las pocas cosas que me emocionan en la vida. Se complican porque hasta haciendo jardín o huerta quieren ganar y triunfar pero trabajar con la tierra es ayudarla sembrar y que sea lo que la naturaleza quiera...🌿🥬🍅

[@IvonneC_Health-N-Fitness]

Precioso Bariloche, me encantaría volver para que mi familia lo conociera

[@jking9798]

Thank you, Charles. Just sorting my bays to try this system as I never seem to have enough room using three bays traditionally. Wonderfully clear as always. Joy

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Glad it helped Joy, best of luck

[@healthfitnessallotment1032]

This video is so helpful and important information, I've taken on a allotment for just over a year now and have been told alot of outdated information. I find this channel so helpful and by just watching this channel I am learning a hell of a lot. Im so thankful 👍

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Wonderful! You are right that there is a lot of false information being shared, and well done for noticing! Good luck with making compost.

[@amynelsongreen3243]

This video helped me realize that my first batch of compost is useable! I was so excited to spread it on my raised beds today get the bin ready for a second batch. I hope to have one ready for spring. My bin isn’t big enough to get very hot but it worked great nevertheless. Thanks for continuing to talk about compost. So helpful and inspiring!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Wonderful Amy! Thanks for your feedback :)

[@julesgoh]

Looking at this beautiful video transported me temporarily to the UK even though I cannot travel there now. What a joy! Thank you!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

One day... thanks

[@itsmewende]

Charles I don't know about anyone else, but you are the only one I take advice from. When I hear others talk about rotating crops or you need to til to loosen the soil for the roots, I'm shaking my head and thinking you people are making more work for yourself.!!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Wende. I think it's that when people make something sound complicated, it elevates their perceived status as a teacher!

[@Lauradicus]

Crop rotation makes no sense soil wise. Plants have a symbiotic relationship with specific soil microorganisms 🦠 and they spend a season fine tuning that relationship. Then you pop in a crop that needs a different support cast that must now be tailored? Seems like a source of stress to me. I think the pests and disease issues others have when not rotating crops has more to do with unhealthy soil organisms, monoculture and synthetic treatments than what is actually planted. I mean if you think about it every nutrient a plant needs to grow is already right there in the ground. As long as the bacteria, fungi, amino acids, micro and macro arthropods are there to make those nutrients available and there is enough moisture to meet the needs of all those critters there’s really no need to interfere. Sure, pests will still come. Good. Gives the beneficial insects something to eat. Diseases will still show up. But I’ve noticed they tend to attack only the weakest plants. I forced myself to just observe this season and it was hard to leave it up to Mother Nature but you know what? She’s better at it than I will ever be. ‘Scuse me while I go snack on a pea that survived powdery mildew. 😜

[@itsmewende]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig Oh, excellent point.!

[@Big-ef5ru]

I will be forever thankful Charles, for all that knowledge spread with the world I'm in my first year of no dig and composting, even being in another climate (italy) it does work perfect, plants loving it Looking forward soon to start buying your books from your Amazon profile, will get them all Ps: Did you made any sticker of the circular "no dig" logo? Greetings and much love from Italy, we adore you

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

So nice of you and I'm happy to hear this. 💚 No stickers yet!

[@melaniesekules3408]

I came to see you last night in Street and was so fascinated by everything you said. I was chatting to my husband when I got home particularly about why we shouldn't dig, and about what you said about disturbing/recovery and that resonated with him. He's a tattoo artist and because of his job, has learnt a lot about the skin and it struck him how many similarities we could make between soil and our skin. I really agree and again, it explains so much as to why the no dig method is much more effective in so many ways. I also very much liked it as I've always spread fresh compost on my flower beds rather than dig and turn the soil as I've watched my mum do over the years. Only mine was out of laziness rather than wisdom but I'm glad that what I was doing was better for the soil and ecosystem within!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Hi Melanie, this is nice to hear and it's lovely you can both see those similarities. Skin as soil, no dig tattoos :)

[@melaniesekules3408]

Yes! I think we tend to forget that skin is our biggest organ and we perhaps take it for granted and don't appreciate how important it is....and of course, if we were to keep picking or poking at it, we'd bruise, damage, scar. And it's helpful to think of soil in the same way, especially with lots going on in those top layers, just as with skin. I'm absolutely going to very much enjoy planting some veg this year, and have some fabulous compost coming along with thanks to our chickens and their chopped straw bedding!

[@mrsANGRYh]

Love you honesty Charles 🌱💜🌱

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

🌈

[@jamiemittermuller6470]

I make excellent compost using the Darlec compost bin next to the bins. I also have a hotbin compost bin which is meant to be quicker but it’s sticky and clumpy so may be better to put on the beds to over winter for the frost to break it down. Thank you for sharing your experience, I do enjoy watching your weekly videos.

[@lenapetrovacpa-7150]

Nice video 👍I just appreciate the fact that you take your time to educate your viewers. I learn alot from you . And I am glad to be a subscriber on your channel that way I never miss out the good stuffs.

[@alebhd7434]

greetings here I'm a huge fan of earning more money, and I think everyone should have a side hustle. side hustling can allow you to earn that little bit of extra money that can help you achieve your financial goals faster - whether it's paying off student loans or saving for retirement.

[@user-dt2oh3yl6w]

Lots of people have become successful through the crypto market

[@lenapetrovacpa-7150]

@@user-dt2oh3yl6w Speaking of crypto trading, it's the best business in the world right now. Because I know a couple of friends who make a whole lot of money trading the financial market. NEVER LOSS?... I sincerely doubt when I see such things like 100% WIN strategy, Crypto trading is very technical, involves carefulness and great IQ... I wonder doing that with no losses or I will say only a professional trader/broker can do that.

[@justice-us2ir]

Nowadays, there are lots of brokers and to find one, it most be online, retail, trusted and reliable. So please how can I find a professional broker to trade with?

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Glad to help Reginald, thanks for saying

[@wilsonleong25]

I really appreciate all the advice and knowledge that you have learned over the years of making compost! Great work Mr. Dowding!

[@stephanier1336]

You do exceptional gardening Charles. I love that you said most things are non sense. I agree with you!!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thank you kindly. You empower yourself by noticing that and working things better 🏆

[@alisonburgess345]

I popped a whole lot of tiny potatoes into the compost along with a few normal size that got speared and ruined during harvest and they survived in the compost heaps (pretty big in the Tram Stop!). I guess the heaps weren't hot enough to kill them, so I put any I come across into the bin. Good idea to turn two heaps into one bay. enjoyed the video guys!

[@rhysjaggar4677]

You can actually grow potatoes in a compost heap - I've thrown tiny potatoes which emerge the following spring as plants into a bathtub at my allotment which I use as a composting area and each autumn I end up with an extra harvest of potatoes!

[@Starlacefield]

As a beginning gardener you e made composting super approachable for me and I’m so thankful! I’ve been composting a year now and I throw my weeds and grass and all kinds of stuff in it and it’s been great! I’m so thankful for your videos.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Lovely to hear Estrella

[@munirajamshed252]

Such a beautiful and maintained place

[@paulh546]

Ground elder.....I've loads I can't get rid of, but I like the idea of composting them, roots and all.

[@michaelboom7704]

Last year I started my hand at hot compost....wish I had a tad more land like you to do my ideas but make do with what I have!

[@jeshurunfarm]

There is always something new to learn Respect from Africa 🇿🇦

[@jacquesjooste]

Lekker man

[@jeshurunfarm]

Ja Pappa.

[@carolinebianchi828]

Just brilliant to hear all these myths being turned upside down!! Fantastic. Thank you your my garden hero. 😊🙌🏾

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

My pleasure Caroline

[@GARDENER42]

Thanks to finding your channel & following your advice, I've already exceeded 150kg of fruit & veg off my 44'x11' (including 8'x6' greenhouse) plot this year & there's still leeks celery, beetroot, brussels sprouts to come & even tomatoes(sungold), cucumbers & chilli peppers to pick, so I'll get close to 200kg by year's end (all produce scribbled down in your perpetual diary). My compost has vastly improved, as has the amount & the 2:1 by volume shredded cardboard/grass clippings mix has been consistently hot & the bay filled by late May has broken down completely, with masses of worm activity. I think I'll have enough for a 2" layer over all the beds & the greenhouse by Christmas.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

That is so wonderful and what a great feeling to have so much good food to eat, and in my case to imagine the health it will bring you

[@owg-v]

Forever thankful 💕 hugs from Medellín, Charles

[@gardenboots7464]

ALWAYS such a pleasure to watch your videos. THANK YOU for sharing your wealth of knowledge, expertise, wisdom and humor.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

💚

[@the_earthway]

Experience and the way to understand and use it. You, Charles, have wisdom :-)

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

🌺

[@laurad2136]

Would love to have the space for the three-bin compost system.. we have the space for one and all garden waste goes in there. No luck with free woodchip from tree surgeons around Canterbury area so we just collect cardboard from supermarket when in need to balance the greens

[@Lauradicus]

Can you collect leaf bags from neighbors? That’s a good source this time of year. I also put in used coffee filters, we use the brown paper Melita filters. Newspaper too. Pretty much any unbleached paper that has been printed with soy based inks.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Good idea Laura, I like your enthusiasm

[@alancarney4344]

A very informative video. I have four 3.6m3 bins, and had fair but not great results. Since retiring I've done it much as described, and also added a layer of nettles every six inches or so. This seems to accelerate the process a great deal and improves the result. I also started growing micro greens using coco-coir as a grow medium and dump that, rich with roots and stems, in the bins, which also helps the finished results a lot. The worms seem to love it. Also, I don't turn the piles between March and october, as they are full of grass snake and slow worm eggs.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

You are getting organised Alan, love it! A whole extra hobby and always the interest in results

[@leda_5166]

New to composting. Thank you for relieving some of my fear with your calm delivery of knowledge.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks, and you can do it!

[@icouldjustscream]

I've just assembled two tall metal 'Birdies' raised garden beds, 2m length x 1.3m width x 0.74m high. This autumn I am filling them up with garden debris, leaves, twigs, clippings, tired potting soil, dead annuals, etc. I'll loosely cover with pallets/tarps and let nature work her magic all winter! I should have a nice base by late spring, composting 'in place' if you will. I'll need much less actual soil to top up the raised beds next spring. My actual compost bay is filling up quickly as well! Who would've thunk composting brings such joy ?!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Lovely to read this :)

[@peggyhelblingsgardenwhatyo7920]

Excellent advice Charles 👌 I layer shredded cardboard and grass clippings and turn it every few days. After 6 months of adding turning and then letting it alone for a few months I think it looks ready.👍

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Sounds great Peggy

[@D-H-D]

Superb no nonsense vidéo Charles. The door is always open if ever you're passing through.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Haha thanks Daniel

[@michaelomalley6726]

love this video and your attitude... keep the basics in mind and think of it as cooking.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

💚

[@coocoo1299]

watching from Korea! I am so interested in making compost! I learned a lot from your video. It makes me so relaxed the way you explain how to do all things! Thanks♡

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

So nice of you and I wish you successful compost making!

[@lleesti1346]

I have begun using woodchips for bedding for my chickens, goats and calves. I scoop solid waste as much as I can and add a bit of straw to the top. Doing this as a deep litter system, I am hoping for amazing compost after it has been turned several times in the spring.

[@homegrownheirloom3660]

Just started my new composting pile I hope it gets as nice as yours, I’ll be puttin a lot of new compost in my greenhouse I’m building, the one on my previous video is so small but stands up to wind so no complaints.

[@sonayozden4814]

Çok zarifsiniz. İngilizce altyazı eklediğiniz için kendi dilimde altyazılı olarak videolarınızı takip ediyorum. İngilizce aslında anlıyorum ama Türkçe okuyarak ilerleyince eksiklerimi görüyorum. Bu videonuz ise Türkçe altyazılı. Önce defalarca dinledim. Şimdi okuyarak eksiklerimi tamamlıyorum. Çok teşekkür ederim.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Bunu gördüğüme sevindim. Daha fazla videoya Türkçe altyazı koymak isterdim ama son zamanlarda fiyatı çok yükselttiler ve bu oldukça pahalı olurdu!

[@sonayozden4814]

İngilizce altyazı eklediğiniz için videolarınızı kendi dilimde altyazı ile izleyebiliyorum. Bu yeterlidir. Çok teşekkür ediyorum. Çok naziksiniz.

[@gertrudenahn1343]

love love love it ! lol composting is exciting process feels like mummy giving best to her children lol At the moment living in the town waiting for my farmhouse abroad to be finished...and before this happen your videos just keeps me alive (can not wait for my hands to get dirty with gardening)) All i have now in my flat is bokashi bucket

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

How exciting for you Gertrude, and thanks

[@tedbastwock3810]

Wow! What a beautiful opening shot!

[@MegaNAT2012]

I absolutely agree that a lot of rubbish is talked about gardening which is wrong! I read the results of trials and then in the same (unnamed) magasine the 'experts' trolling out the same old rubbish! Charles Dowding is my hero!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thankyou Natalie!

[@etiennelouw9244]

I am trying an experiment by compressing weeds in a soda bottle that I hang on a wall. Moisture has begun in the bottom and the weeds are shrinking in size so I just add more through the little door I cut in the top. I am amazed at the amount of weeds i have put into the 2littre bottle that get sun in the afternoon.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

😀

[@anapaulacrawford5837]

What a wisdom! Thank you Charles! You are making a difference in garden! Huge one to....... God bless! 🙏🏼

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks so much and great to hear Ana

[@laurazunigatorres4979]

Que genial Charles, coincidentemente estoy practicando 3 formas de compostar, feliz de adquirir conocimientos 💚

[@markdolan9459]

Olá amigo, como você está

[@TheZachary86]

6:45 mid April to end of may (1st heap) 6:50 2nd heap in June 6:55 early July turn 1st heap into middle 7:00 in august turn last into middle

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks so much! I added them

[@jeannet9592]

I like your new video format. You garden space is lovely, as well as the surrounding area.

[@rhysjaggar4677]

I've used woodchips as browns for our small heaps this year (putting food scraps into daleks each day) and it really seems to work amazingly well. The woodchips had already rotted down for over 6 months before I started using them (we got the woodchips September 2020 and started using them in the heaps in April 2021). We got ours from the neighbours having tree surgeons controlling their trees and I simply asked them if I could have the chipped prunings. I'm going to try an experiment of putting woodchips atop one of my no-dig beds to see if it works as a long-term mulch a la 'Back to Eden' (a chap in Washington State whose name I've forgotten). Obviously I'll keep on making compost too, because we have green and brown waste from the garden.

[@chunsgarden7185]

Thank you for another very inspiring video. I have been gardening for just over 2 years, following your no dig method from the beginning. I do add a layer of shredded leaves mulch on top of the compost layer to retain moisture as I don't have as much rain in the summer. The results have been amazing. My garden is getting bigger now that I have enough material to make a large compost pile 3ftx3ft x 3ft this fall. I have rows of ~15 marigolds that I planted underneath the tomatoes exactly the way you had and I never deadheaded them. So one question that I couldn't find the answer to is whether I should compost all my marigolds (or in general flowers that went to seeds - all they do is to produce thousands of seeds) . Now that the winter is coming, I don't think the heap can get very hot. I am afraid that next year when I spread the compost, the marigolds will take over my garden. So I would love to know what you do to your marigolds every fall. Thanks Long

[@chunsgarden7185]

I think I found the answer to my question after rewatching the video. Thank you sir!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

That is super nice to hear! And I do compost all marigolds including a lot of seeds, because here there is enough frost to prevent them taking over. The dwarf French marigolds actually do not seed very much, but the Gem miracles do

[@chunsgarden7185]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig wow, you actually spent time addressing my question! Thanks Charles!

[@robertling9872]

Thank you Charles for sharing your knowledge. 🙏

[@George-of8ib]

Great video, very informative. Thanks for putting it in Lehman’s terms. I have just cleared a very overgrown allotment and have a pile of weeds probably about 1 cubic metre. I’m in the process of building 3 pallet compost bins. Should I spread the pile into the 3 bins or load it all into one? I’m struggling with the layering of brown and green waste concept.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Glad it was helpful and put it all in one, chopped so they pack down. I'm sure there are many stems (brown) and some soil (brown) so you may find they heat. Larger volumes decompose more quickly.

[@George-of8ib]

Thank you very much.

[@mk-xq1tt]

Such a lovely garden.

[@ximenaisabeljimenezgalindo9044]

Hola Charles he seguido tus consejos y en mi pequeño jardín de mi casa tengo unas acelgas maravillosas y muchas hierbas medicinales 🤗🇨🇱saludos desde Chile

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

¡Qué maravilloso! estoy feliz de escucharlo

[@ud1976]

Nice video. In my garden, it takes a year to fill up my bin, so my compost takes 2 years to get done. Ends up with mostly fungal decomposition as it never gets very hot. But I have enough at the bottom of the pile every year for my purposes.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Sounds great!

[@birrino1]

Good morning, Thank you for all the knowledge you are sharing! Is a pleasure to watch your channel and read your books. I took over a plot that I am now transforming fallowing your priceless advices. I have built a 3 bay compost system, one bay is already full, since February, with mostly weeds that I pulled from around the plot. The temperature is constantly at 15*C, even if I am not bothered by not reaching high temperature, this makes me think that maybe there was too much soil in the weeds roots, so there is no balance in the brown and green materials? If that’s the case, can I add more green materials at the moment of turning the heap over? Is a good idea collecting waste from the restaurant kitchen where I work? I am concerned with the possibility of pesticides and weed killers that might be present in commercially grown vegetables. Thank you Charles! Sandro

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Hi Sandro Nice job you are doing there. I would add those kitchen wastes, valuable organic matter. Not perfect but few things are. Add coffee grounds too. Yes I expect you added a lot of soil. I hope you can afford to buy some compost, or find some well decomposed wood.

[@birrino1]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig Thank you for the prompt answer, I really appreciate that! Do you think it is possible to fix it ? Thank you

[@bristolveggiebeds5310]

I also chuck on most things on the compost heap from the garden!

[@benwatts5219]

Love your videos from Nepal. I do a no rules compost. I put in all organic matter including bones, leftovers, dairy, plant matter in a corner of our walled property and just take it out a year later. The only animals that I get in the compost are birds and squirrels which I dont mind. I dont turn it or shelter it from the elements. It takes a bit more time but I guess that is a trade off to not do any separating or heavy work.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks for sharing 💚

[@jenbear8652]

I learned to do composting with all organic matter as well. But I use plastic bins with lids. I do have something (raccoon or opossum) that tries & sometimes does get in, otherwise they’re left alone. Often, but not always, by pile does heat up pretty well, but I’ve never gotten a compost thermometer to test it on temperature. But my bins are only 3 ft diameter; about 11 cu ft total volume. But they work for me, if I get my proportions decent.

[@josephkiselica8923]

Mr C. I use a lawnmower to chop up our leaves and green waste and then layer it in our compost bin..... Turning the thing every two weeks...... I know this reduces the time from waste to usable compost!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Sounds good and we all have our best way, all work :)

[@diegodiego2963]

You have a beautiful garden. Thank you.

[@gvwa100506]

Aqui quizas por el frio, toma 1 o 2 años un buen compostaje. Saludos desde Aysen Patagonia Chile

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Dios, eso es mucho tiempo!

[@gvwa100506]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig si, quizas por los inviernos tan prolongados. 🥶👍

[@ourcozygarden]

Great and informative as always. Thank you Charles!

[@violetshaw9989]

Great video as ever Charles! THANK YOU! What would you do with woody stems such as sunflowers or tomatoes, or even when plants have gone a bit dry and no longer green?

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Violet. I cut them diagonally with a sharp knife or cleave them longitudinally or use a lawnmower to chop into lengths max 4-6in, 10-15cm

[@Poppa_Bob]

Recently discovered Charles and really loving it, but £20k sales for one full time and two part-time workers clearly doesn’t stack commercially, unless you’re also running a KZbin channel with 800k subscribers! Very inspiring for hobbyist gardeners though: bravo!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

You are so right! Thanks