Detailed Steps for Making Home Garden Compost

I generally turn my new compost piles every six to seven days for about five to six weeks. If I was composting NON-allelopathic* branches and leaves, I would feel comfortable using the new compost created in this video in about 8 to 10 weeks. But if the wood chips were larger, it would take more time. Additionally, without using ammonia sulfate on the wood chips, it would take significantly longer to create a nice compost. [*Allelopathy is more or less a plant that has the ability to excrete a substance that inhibits or destroys other plants around it.] (I know that the Brazilian pepper tree is a bane in Florida, not-unlike the Tree of Heaven where I live. And if you’re need of eradicating it on your property, it’s nice to know that it can be ground up and composted--if you were not aware of it already. Be that as it may, both species of pepper trees I used to make mulch are popular in many landscapes where I reside in Southern California. And I personally like them for their hardiness, shade and drought tolerance.)
I use my compost both as a dressing for new planting and for making potting soil, in which I use coarse sand, perlite or vermiculite for increasing water drainage. Even though I do make my own compost, there are times when I do need to purchase potting soil, usually when spring plantings have exceeded my plans. When this happens, I look to buying a quality bagged soil such as Miracle-Gro products.
If you enjoy gardening and have yet to make your own compost, I would say, “Go for it!” There is nothing like taking your own trimmings and compostable kitchen scraps and converting them to richly dark and loamy soil where earthworms rise from the ground to reveal how much closer you can be to the basics of the natural world. I realize it is possible you really want to compost but do not have a mechanical chipper/mulcher. Leaves, leaves and more leaves will make a great way to build a compost pile. They are an excellent material to work with. If they are dry and brown with very little nitrogen in them, you can use a bit of ammonia sulfate to create compost in a very short time.
Finally, I use many different tools and products, so I will put links to them below in case you are interested. I wish to emphasize I am not affiliated with any of these products. Like you, I am just a do it yourselfer who needs tools and other products. Thanks for watching--all positive comments are greatly appreciated.
Links:
16 inch Compost Thermometer:
Amazon.com: Reotemp 16 Inch Fahrenheit Backyard Compost
Thermometer with Digital Composting Guide : Patio, Lawn & Garden
Tumbling Composter:
Amazon.com: IM4000 Dual Chamber Tumbling Composter (Black) : Everything Else
Chipper/Shredder/Mulcher video (This is my video from about 5 years ago):
• Powerhorse 4 Inch Chip...
Behlen Watering Tank (This is my video from a few years back):
• Watering Tank Converte...
(This is a link to a Sun Joe electric chipper/shredder. It was not shown in video. I use it for small jobs around my yard, and it's very affordable. Here is a link to a video I did about it:
• Sun Joe 14 Amp Chipper... )
Ammonia Sulfate (nitrogen) fertilizer: Available at most garden centers.

[@johnwitkowski6596]

Thanks for another informative and well done video Tom. And thanks for the tip about the sale at Home Depot on Behlen Garden Tanks.

[@mjcechman]

I just found your channel & love your style & information ❤

[@doityourselferhomeandgarde9732]

Thanks so much 😊

[@carladelagnomes]

If you've got worms, you must be doin' somethin' right!

[@staceyallard2692]

Thank you for sharing. Should I use nitrogen on a compost pile that is mainly dried leaves 🍁 thank you. 😊

[@doityourselferhomeandgarde9732]

Yes you can