Outdoor Composting - Benefits, How To and Getting Started - Fairyland Cottage

[@GinaHouse]

I've been composting for 20 years. I have so much less trash than I had before and I only have to empty my kitchen compost container every few days. I sometimes forget to add more carbon materials but, otherwise, our compost comes out great! :D

[@FairylandCottage]

Gina House niiice!!! It's so easy really isn't it. Even if you don't do the carbon enough it still turns out fine. Nature is just great! 😁♻️

[@MymariabAccount-rw2yn]

Thank you for your wonderful tips. Please keep posting more content related to gardening and DIYs

[@shariris]

I have been able to speed up a new compost pile by adding good soil/finished compost to the mix. This adds the microorganisms to really get the party started😄

[@FairylandCottage]

Yeah nice idea! party on you little micro-organisms!

[@trinelangohr6661]

Hmpf. Every year around March I think "I need to turn over my compost and harvest that beautiful new soil", and then I realize that some bumblebee queen has already set up her nest in there. So I always say "well, maybe next year"... My compost is just for the bees, I guess. Still, it's nice to know that I'm doing it right. Thanks for the video.

[@FairylandCottage]

wow how special to have the bees in there. You are looking after them nicely. haha :-)

[@IglooGirl1]

Lol Trine, that made me laugh...I’ve had to relinquish parts of my garden to various creatures too. Friends etc say to get rid of them but I don’t have the heart, it actually makes me feel happy to have them living in my yard ;). Except one year I had raccoons using my raised garden as a latrine & I was trying to deter them as I lost use of the whole bed and their poop is not safe. It’s awful 🤢 I hope to get a bees in a horizontal hive one day :)

[@moodybaby3296]

Brilliant vid! I love your 'have fun with it' attitude, it makes the idea of giving outdoor composting a go myself much less daunting!

[@FairylandCottage]

Ah thats great to hear as I was trying to make it less daunting because there really is nothing too it! The science stuff just makes it seem really complicated! x

[@r-leufu]

Since today you have a new follower from Chile! thanks for your videos and for what you do for the world!

[@FairylandCottage]

RODRIGO DEVIA big hello to you in Chile from Ireland. Delighted to have you onboard! I hope you like the videos x

[@lakliams]

We use meat leftovers, bones all sorts of leftovers and we always have great compost which keeps our garden growing, great idea thanks use a wooden box style

[@queti1828]

Perfect! Thank you for the how what and why! No one ever explains it! Love this ! I'm definitely going to do this

[@FairylandCottage]

qúe tí I'm glad it made sense! Enjoy. It's so much fun and much easier than people think. X

[@ritadoloresmonahanov2669]

I would like to see more ideas for plant hangings. This knot was very simple yet beautiful!

[@Mrs_Yu]

I have done my compost. It has been 1 week ... I so exited to see how the result

[@kerendn]

I hope one day to have a garden and try outdoor composting. I've done my research and I'm going to try bukashi composting indoors. It's a smaller bin and a different process (just the greens) where you also have to add some bacteria. It's a fermentation process, somewhat reminiscent of making sauerkraut. Then you have to bury it in the ground. I'm making a diy bukashi bin - hope it goes well! I considered the worms but I don't feel great about turning the compost with worms in it and hurting them.

[@SubhraSubhadarsini]

I make compost using big sized terracotta pots. Have been doing it for last 3 months and we have reduced our waste by more than a half. Also, my plants are growing so well after feeding them the compost :)

[@FairylandCottage]

yea the plants love the compost so much!

[@emma-511]

Yey! I've been wanting to learn to compost for years!! I've tried before but found all the info online overwhelming. This video is perfect. Can't wait to get composting. Thank you!😊 Xx

[@FairylandCottage]

Essentially Emma yippee! I'm delighted to hear Emma. Just have fun with it. Start with a pile if you have no container. Let me know how you get on! X

[@daniaa.oliva-pena7338]

Hello! Happy New Year ! Great video and wonderful information . I have a great idea of where I will be placing a compost container for the apartment building I live in to place coffee grounds and egg shells.

[@joannecarroll5504]

We have a few different compost methods here. Indoors we have The Urban Composter, it's an Australian design, similar to the Bokashi method, but which uses fruit enzymes to break down leftovers etc. You drain off concentrated fertilising liquid from it & dilute it to feed your plants, herbs, fruit trees, veggie patch & after a few wks, you bury the decomposing solids deeply to allow them to nourish the earth as they break down. We also use the Permaculture "chop & drop" method where we try to allow prunings, leaves etc to decompose where they'd fall & we have a Vermicomposter or worm farm to break down puppy poo; Once the worms have broken down all of the poop, coir bedding, leaves, paper etc there is a barrel of beautiful black compost, which gets spread over the "chop & drop" stuff, to help it all break down like in nature. The soil here was just a mess of quarry rubble, but that area of the garden now has the richest soil & the fastest growing plants we've ever had. Seriously considering a 2nd worm farm to make the soil in the "edible's" side of the garden equally as healthy.

[@eliskamelicharova2988]

Thank you for this video! I live in flat, so I'll compost in a freezer. Have a beautiful day!

[@FairylandCottage]

Eliška Melicharová yes that's a perfect way! You're lucky your freezer is big enough. Mine barely fits anything! X

[@WorldofVinee]

How do u compost in a freezer please advise

[@alessandratebaldi6173]

Thank you!! 🤗Now i have a proper idea about how to start! ✨So interesting, love how you made it simple to get 💡

[@FairylandCottage]

Alessandra Tebaldi I'm glad it seems simple. It really is. Ask me any questions and enjoy composting! X

[@amandagramstad2506]

Something my husband and I do is to keep a small container in the freezer. So initially, the food waste us frozen. Then thaws when we add it to the outdoor compost. This helps the waste to break down much quicker.

[@FairylandCottage]

Amanda Gramstad does it really! That's great to hear. I need a bigger freezer!

[@vampirevtubervixen]

We are just now starting our compost and this video is so helpful, thank you! ❤️

[@FairylandCottage]

Birch and Acorn TV yipppeee!et me know how you go! Enjoy! ❤️

[@LizzieDeanMakes]

I compost - shredded paper work goes in ours, as well as garden waste, grass cuttings and all our vegetarian food waste xx

[@FairylandCottage]

Lizzie Dean Makes nothing like composting is there! Pure magic

[@WorldofVinee]

Wow this is the only video which is so easily explained

[@LnPlayEng]

Hey everyone. I am amazed at these technologies. I am a Nigerian currently staying in Russia. I really want to learn more about this stuff.

[@mariawelling4194]

She's Amazing! I've been wanting to do this for quite sometime now..Thank you!

[@FairylandCottage]

Maria Welling let me know how it goes!

[@wintertea260]

🌱 So can u use the compost as plant soil after? Thank u for this, I’m glad I know how to properly compost now ☕️

[@FairylandCottage]

Yes I put it directly onto the vegetables and mix it with the soil already present.. Enjoy it is pure magic seeing what nature does...

[@nyxzyhandmyxzyh5256]

Very informative videos I love that how you transform life to make simple and sustainable. love frm philippines

[@FairylandCottage]

zheceyp p awh thanks! Love to you in the Philippines!

[@LIrvinMaulina]

Yes im composting too. Nice to meet you, from Indonesia ^^

[@aboutfeddy]

I can't compost yet, but I'm planning to and this video was very informative, thank you ☺

[@FairylandCottage]

Uapa500 great to hear. When you start someday, if you need any help don't hesitate to get in touch 😁

[@Vintagebeliever]

I do the dig and bury method as I have no room for a compost bin :)

[@meenabhuptani285]

Thanks for sharing this process😊

[@FairylandCottage]

jinal bhuptani ah thanks for watching! 😁

[@jessicacanfield5408]

In the last couple of years we have had an over abundance in rain here in Virginia U.S.A so I would have to use some kind of enclosed compost bin

[@FairylandCottage]

hummm the compost needs rain but maybe not so much.... you could just cover it with some wood etc...

[@lunellevanniekerk2987]

What do you do in rainy season? Will it not be to wet

[@acmulhern]

I've been composting for years and it's become such a habit that it hurts me when I have to throw food scraps in a black bin (when visiting someone usually). About 5 years ago we started keeping chickens, so we just give them the scraps now. Chickens really are next level composting experts because they do all the work for you. They scratch and turn the compost, they break it down by walking all over it and t just speeds up the process drastically. Also, no problem with rodents anymore, so we can add any form of cooked food to the compost as well.

[@FairylandCottage]

very nice to hear!! It's great you have the chickens... you have a very functioning system going on there. Im the same as you with the scraps. Most of the time I bring home in a tub aware and then compost because my parents home doesn't have any facility to compost.

[@gardenfairy9792]

When adding compost to garden soil, do you still need to fertilize plants or does the compost act as a natural fertilizer?

[@Hayley8526]

What do you do with your citrus fruits, started composting but don’t know what to do with them? Great video by the way! ☺️

[@FairylandCottage]

Hayley Knight you can compost citrus fruits. You just can't vermicompost them as the worms don't like them. I wouldn't overrun your compost pile with citrus fruits as they can take a bit longer to decompose. X

[@morningstarbedell5318]

I have horses so I’m always looking for ways to get the manure used I mixed it with straw and kitchen scraps is that ok?

[@renee2742]

I love it

[@simplynatural7056]

Thank you so much 😊

[@NicolesNaturals]

I'm so glad you did this video because I need some advice! I have been trying to compost for over a year now and it's just not working that great. My husband made a bin for me out of a large garbage can. He drilled holes in it for air, but here's the problem: I have tons of food scraps, but not much "browns". Where do I get dried leaves and sawdust during the winter, spring and summer? I have dried leaves in the fall, but throughout the rest of the year, I've got SO many "greens" but not enough browns. I produce A LOT of food scraps as my family eats A LOT of fruits and veggies, but I don't have access to browns because all my trees are green at this point and there's nothing to balance the browns and greens. HELP!

[@FairylandCottage]

Semi Veg hehehe! Ok can you buy a small bale of hay. I know it sounds crazy but hay is fantastic as the carbon. You could just keep it beside the bin. You can also ask shops for cardboard boxes that they are throwing out but you will need to cut them out really small and wet them down. When autumn comes. Fill a huge bag with leaves from a forest or garden and let them dry down and use. Be careful if the leaves, I would take them out of the bag when home. In relation to the bin bag with holes. There may not be enough air circulating. Just keep an eye especially if loads of green. Could you get loads of newspapers from family. Shred and use too.....

[@NicolesNaturals]

thanks for the tips!

[@rhg3212]

I’ve been thinking about composting. My parents have done it for years! Do you find you get lots of flies?

[@FairylandCottage]

sometimes those little fruit flies... but not too bad really...

[@rhg3212]

Woo I have a compost bin now! I’m so excited to send less waste to landfill! I have been putting things that break down quickly straight in. Scraps that take longer such as carrot and onion ends I freeze, boil in water to make veggie stock when I have lots of it, strain and THEN put into the compost to break down quicker! I’ll use the stock to make gravy or soup. I’m not loosing the nutrients which my family can benefit from 😁

[@natalies753]

So exciting you are getting into composting! Its one of the best things we can do for the environment and it really enriches the soil when you mix the compost in. Our compost does sometimes attract lots of fruit flies, but it seems to be seasonal. That's a great idea about making vege stock first! :)

[@kristiina6897]

Quick question, how do you compost in the winter months? What do you do with your food scraps? Thanks, Tiina

[@FairylandCottage]

They all go on the heap... it gets the rain a lot and I have to keep an eye on it though...

[@kristiina6897]

@@FairylandCottage I'm in Canada where 5 months of the year its snowing and bloody cold, can I keep the compost heap going outside even if its -40? 😨🇨🇦 I'm guessing it doesn't get that cold or snow in Ireland? Lol

[@sidehustlewithgloria]

I have one in a plastic tote with a lid and another tall cylindrical one made out of chicken wire. 😊

[@k8murphy]

Love this! Any tips for what you do in the winter or just keep the same? 💕

[@FairylandCottage]

Kate Murphy just do the same. Make sure the compost bin is close enough to the house so that you will walk out it it in the winter. Watch out for snow covering your pile. It totally depends on how cold it gets where you live. It is freezes it will stop the process so you would need to put the bin in the sun to keep it warm. Also collect the leaves in fall/autumn and use that as the carbon throughout winter. X

[@TheBEAST-ej7oo]

Hello I was wondering if I can add the canary seed husks to make the compost, thank you very much!

[@FairylandCottage]

Hello, that shouldn't be a problem at all. Go ahead. Mill them to a powder if you prefer. x

[@huraimyhuraimy]

bismillaah. where do the final compost result lie/produce? at the bottom? how do i get it out? thanks!

[@FairylandCottage]

Hilmy Mutiara if you have a proper compost bin it will all be at the bottom. You lift up the lid and there it is. I always have at least two on the go. If you are using a make shift like mine then it's still at the bottom. It takes a while to make so I wait until the whole grate is compost. Hence why it is good to have a few bins on the go.

[@cecas5281]

@@FairylandCottage Thanx both for the question and the reply. Very inspiring videos at Fairyland Cottage! 💞 👍

[@iblisrequiem]

What about rainy days? Here it's been raining for one week daily already for example. Do you protect it with a foil somehow? What do you do with the cooked food?

[@FairylandCottage]

I don't put cooked food on the compost, if I have used oil in the cooking. You can put vegetables that have not been cooked in oil. I have a lid on the compost tub. This is handy because you don't want it getting too soggy. If it does just make sure to mix it with a garden fork.

[@iblisrequiem]

Thank you so much for your quick and helpful answer. I appreciate it. Have a beautiful day! 😍

[@freebird8993]

It is mid November now, the soil and everything else freezes, do I need to wait for spring to start doing that?

[@FairylandCottage]

Iris Fuchs will be much much slower in winter but can compost all year round.

[@ayleenrivera101]

I'm planning to compost nut you said no cooked food. Why? All has to be raw?

[@natalies753]

I would still include cooked food scraps in the compost :)

[@Discovering.jess.]

Can you start a compost in the winter?!

[@FairylandCottage]

Sure you can. The process of decomposition will be slower and you may get get frost which will stop but process but you can still certainly start!

[@freshbrewedasmr3378]

I was wondering if you can add grey water to compost? Such as shower water that used healthy shampoo and conditioner?

[@FairylandCottage]

hummm not sure... I'd say yes as long as it is natural shampoo etc...

[@allyirvine7537]

Would love to try this Niamh. You don’t put worms in yours, or is that only for closed bins 😂 The council in our area does compost food but it would be rewarding to see the process in action at home. Do you know why no cooked food?

[@FairylandCottage]

Ally Irvine cooked food usually has oil which can't be composted. If it's simple vegetables then it should be fine. Also cooked food attracts rats and other creatures. You only use worms in a vermicompost. Totally different system. This is basic composting. Basically the microbes break down to form soil. Isn't it just amazing! Does that make any sense 😂

[@allyirvine7537]

Fairyland Cottage Yes it does. And why complicate the process if simple composting is effective!

[@allyirvine7537]

Fairyland Cottage Thanks by the way. I’ve always wondered. X

[@FairylandCottage]

Ally Irvine yeah vermicomposting is whole different thing but if like you could start by just collecting grass cuttings or leaves and put them in a pile and fork every week and you will get compost!

[@Rin-pk1qm]

how long does it take to compost succesfully?

[@FairylandCottage]

kay kaayyii totally totally depends on the circumstances but a couple of months should see you with some nice compost.. old grass and leaves piled together will give you brilliant compost too. Just keep it turned weekly and within a month or two you should have wonderful compost.

[@Rin-pk1qm]

thank you so much! i really love your channel. it helps me a lot in my zero waste jouney😊

[@poll2dock]

I have horses which means loads of hot steamy compost

[@FairylandCottage]

You are so lucky. Best compost ever!

[@shanthipatrick1987]

Shouldn’t we cover it with a layer of mud or soil

[@Fruit_bee]

What to do with the pits just bury it ?

[@FairylandCottage]

Fruit Bee avocado pits take a while to decompose unless you can grate them. Otherwise you could just bury them in the ground!

[@Fruit_bee]

Thank you!! I just dont know what to do with pips from cherries, dates, peaches, wallnut shelles. Because there are too much for my small piece of land. Love your channel!!!! ^ ^

[@FairylandCottage]

Fruit Bee yay thanks! Xx

[@quotientgalaxy]

Lovely video but you missed an important point: where to place the compost itself . Because success of composting also has to do with where you do it. That's what I learned from books. I will start mine when we move to our new home with finally a garden.

[@FairylandCottage]

O did I not say close enough to the house that you will use but far enough away in the garden that it is not a nuisance... do you mean something else?

[@quotientgalaxy]

@@FairylandCottage i meant the factors of sun and shadows. that is the thing that still confuses me because all my books tell me to find the right spot that is not too dark and not too much in the sun. but i am so unsure where that is.

[@RetailLeo]

Love from india

[@FairylandCottage]

thanks xxxLove from Ireland!

[@Jacquiandteddy]

I'm fortunate that our local council collect our food waste for biomass fuel, but I compost my garden waste as much as possible. I'm not very good at balancing up what I put in it though!

[@FairylandCottage]

Jacqui du Rocher its great when councils do that. You're lucky. If you have a lot of garden waste just turn it regularly and it will be ok. X

[@Xyz-we1bd]

I see a dog. How can you go waste free with a dog? I have a rabbit, and I find of figured it out. But what about the rest of animals?

[@FairylandCottage]

Ah so cute. I lived with a rabbit years ago and they are the best. The dog is our neighbours. He comes to our house to play :-)