For great compost, think like a microbe | Gardening 101 | Gardening Australia

[@harmonysteel141]

I’ve watched more composting videos than I can count and this is by far the best one!! Thanks Costa 👍

[@arthursoto4285]

I second that

[@mauricem7007]

@Aoratosx Artsx is that sarcasm?

[@natureboy6410]

@Aoratosx Artsx most use cheap soy based inks. Don't use shiny, plastic coated paper or cardboard.

[@sarajohnson2918]

Agreed!

[@cdomeier122112]

this guy is cooler to hang out with than santa clause

[@russelltheone6969]

Thus guy seems cool and happy in life. Something folks in the states could learn from.

[@michelifig6356]

Wouldn't u b happy with a steady salary?

[@jezzdogg6857]

I met Costa today. Hes a absolute legend!

[@timcent7199]

Costa, by miles my favourite TV presenter. You can make talking about tax fun.

[@lizzioconnor9051]

Fabulous. ThankYou. I’ve got 4 compost bins. Eleven years ago when I bought my Home, there was NoGarden - now it is AmazinglyAbundant. 👍😜🙏🏿

[@oldtyres36]

That's excellent. I bought an old house last year which had no garden or fence, now it's getting amazingly abundant.

[@nickescobar4360]

I have watched countless composting videos and this is the best one I've ever seen

[@peggyhelblingsgardenwhatyo7920]

Yku were meant to be a teacher, mentor, leader 👍

[@heyletssign778]

I don't usually comment on KZbin, but this clip was the most amazing one I have seen. Costa really has such talent to make a topic that usually comes off as mundane, as something super exciting. Making the newspaper strips had me in absolute stitches!! My kids have been fans of 'Costa the Gnome' for ages, now I'm converted too! 😊

[@YenZenBamboo]

Costa is a living God of gardening. We are fortunate to have some fantastic gardening gurus in the Land Down Under.

[@joreiwik1234]

As someone new to composting & gardening, I am so caught up in his enthusiasm. Bloody marvellous!!

[@andrewradford3953]

Love black loamy compost. Have been a compost junkie for many years, wherever I've lived. I few years ago I discovered black soldier fly larve in my worm farm. It's like a compost heap on steroids and then some. Also a great snack for the chooks when the population gets to high. Since moving to a farm things gave escelated.. I've had several thousand truck loads of green garden waste delivered, which I've turned into amazing compost piles 25m long and 4m wide. I'm now hosting a permaculture group to help plant and tend these dozen piles. Not sure what's next.

[@ripme6616]

If you build it they will come

[@NMW80]

How much is it to get the green garden waste? Is it from peoples green waste bins?

[@andrewradford3953]

@@NMW80 they pay you, but it contains plastic. You'll need a large 2wd tractor to push it up (60 hp). If you want it to break down fast, use irrigation on the piles and lots of water, and if you have the resources, turn them with an excavator and mulch grabs.

[@andrewradford3953]

@@NMW80 talk to your local garden waste collectors, or start your own local service. It will compost down to 10% of original volume. Therefore a the unintended plastic waste will be compounded. You will also need to remove logs and other timber that won't break down easily.

[@j-5474-k9z]

maybe a youtube vid?

[@jojozepofthejungle2655]

Hey I'm a compost freak, can't get enough of it 🤪

[@chandalalman9921]

He is so knowledgeable. I want to start a compost bin for my garden here in Florida and came across his videos. So much knowledge. Definitely the coolest guy.

[@phoebedoesit4168]

Being from Colorado, when he said 'add it to your pot plants' I just kinda thought 'Alright, just coming straight out with it huh?'

[@samoak123]

Costa is a pot head, he meant what he said.

[@wimberley707]

This is the most delightful video I've ever watched! I already wanted to start composting, but now I know there's a paper flicking dance involved, I'm way more excited!

[@krzysztofrudnicki5841]

I think that adding microbial solution to raw compositing materials will help to break down faster. It's very easy to made it at home from boiled potatoes, sea salt, rain water and leaf mold from nearby forest. Microbial solution is also a good option to biochemically break heavy compacted clay.

[@hrock7763]

Where has this guy been garden knowledge gold

[@JohnnyMotel99]

I've had those 'dalek' bins before and replaced them with a raised bed style bin. I found it much easier to turn over the compost in the raised bed.

[@inkydoug]

My dad made lots of compost using just lawn clippings and dry oak leaves run thru a shredder, he just layered it in big rectangular piles as the materials came in, no bin or sides of any sort, and watered it down. That stuff would get righteous HOT as it rotted I remember.

[@melissatosetti1247]

This was the best video on composting I've seen in the decade I've been trying to do it myself! Thank you.

[@msdramamusic]

I'm glad I saw this before I placed my compost bin. I'm going to add mesh wire under mine.

[@NMW80]

Especially if you live in places with animals that can dig underneath the bin to get into the compost.

[@saeedkanuga8374]

Such a passionate and knowledgabel person. Salute from Canada

[@itsshwetas]

What a fantastic video. Thanks guys. We're composting in a small rotating bin on our apartment balcony and this is perfect for my husband's learning!

[@NMW80]

I want to get one of those rotating compost bins. I think they are much easier to have so you don’t have to turn your compost by hand. Do you like them?

[@itsshwetas]

@@NMW80 it's definitely easier than turning the compost heap my parents used to have. Would recommend one with a handle though. Ours doesn't have one and it's not even half full, yet is pretty heavy to rotate.

[@NMW80]

shweta oh ok cheers will do

[@GladiatorReid]

Whats that screw tool called? Worst thing about compost is turning entire heap, but that tool is a must

[@ObjectiveAnalysis]

Compost turner I think

[@rolfpoelman3486]

What do you think about a compost tumbler, or a DIY type?

[@miketing6971]

Compost auger I reckon

[@cyphersworld]

It's a compost aerator

[@YenZenBamboo]

It’s tool No. 101 Oliver

[@williamchirgwin8754]

I have composted most of my life, anything and everything that was once alive is used. It is the little microbes as Costa comments on that do the work for the most part. But I also think having mice in the compost bin are greatly beneficial, they help to break down the material from the kitchen and dig holes throughout, a natural aeration process. Over the years I have never had to turn or aerate my compost physically. In addition, our cat loves the mice inside the bin, giving him lots of entertainment listening to them. Any sort of digging or turning I feel actually adversely impacts on the creatures that live in the compost, including worms. Charles Dowding subscribes to no dig gardens, and I feel that should include compost bins or piles.

[@bonzothebrown7603]

Everything you said is incorrect and should not be construed as advice. Happy composting.

[@NMW80]

Bonzo The Brown agreed. Mice are a pest and they will eat all your compost and their poop and urine can have very bad bacteria and diseases in it. I would never ever recommend letting vermin into the compost. They spread disease and are not good for the cats to chew on either due to again carrying parasites/disease.

[@rebekahdevere6548]

Mice bring snakes into the yard.

[@jesse6468]

Elaborate on that a bit further...

[@williamchirgwin8754]

@@jesse6468 What can I say, have a look at Charles Dowding on youtube who should inspire you, he understand the benefits of no dig which I feel should include making home compost. Costa gave instructions as to carbon and nitrogen mix of materials to follow as a general rule so it all breaks down aerobically (with oxygen). The key to natural gardening is to leave alone for the most part, simply keep on adding any mulch in any form you can acquire it. I get most of the mulch for my garden from a mower man who drops off grass and other garden material for me to compost. My view on gardening, most of what happens in the garden, or in nature, happens out of sight. As a result, the plants will show their appreciation.

[@sharons9367]

At 4:05 I thought that was your sandwich for lunch 😂

[@srbs7999]

😂

[@Sssmaug]

Love it! 😆

[@uchibauki2515]

I can’t imagine how hard your job to maintain the garden, salutes to all farmers 👏👏👍🏻

[@alstevendiamante354]

I love this guide. Fun, Easy to understand, inspiring.

[@blink4711]

Your a legend. So many great tips. I have my compost bin under a tree so I''m making a mistake there, but it worked ok for what I added. But the carbon factor is important. I have so much to do tomorrow to improve my heap. Great video.

[@lisakarkosky6478]

Ok I don’t think I’ve ever got more excited about composting than when I watched this video lol 😂

[@FatihKarakurt]

Your enthusiasm is contagious!

[@passion4tropicalplants513]

Love the spiral compost tool! Great information! I can't garden without compost, plants grow much better. 🤗👏🏾🤜🏾

[@russelltheone6969]

Sorry for the 2nd comment but I have cows. Fresh poo is awesome with old garden soil or last years compost with fall leaves and greens. It speeds it up like crazy. A few weeks and ready. Always keep some compost to add to your next batchea layers. Them microbes will be happy little critters. Cheers!

[@GardeningAustralia]

Thanks for the tip!

[@gabrielasantos8289]

Costa is amazing! Great fool proof compost tips!

[@markielinhart]

Had to watch this again. Costa you rock!

[@TracysHomeGarden]

Great advice! I too use only compost as a natural way to “fertilize” almost all the plants in my garden. It naturally adds nutrients and all sorts of microbes into the soil. The microbes feed and continue to break down the compost to improve the soil. My soil went from clay to rich fertile soil in about 3 seasons using compost. Fully recommend it! Thanks for sharing! 🙏❤️😍. Ps...I only use artificial fertilizer on my roses & clematis as they are extremely heavy feeders.

[@NMW80]

Really? Roses? I have never used any fertiliser on my rose plant that I have in ground. It’s a cutting from my nans rose plant. I was raised by my nan and took cuttings to remember her by. The ground dirt I have is pretty good though. I think due to all the grass clippings I have dumped on the edge of the house over the years has made good soil in that part of the yard. I do add crushed egg shells though to all my plants around the base. I will be mulching with wood chips soon so this summer it can hack the heat better.

[@joansmith3492]

In my experience, it works best if you turn the pile at least once. When your bin is full, turning it into the second bin evens out the moisture levels, adds more oxygen and gets it going faster. Then let it sit while you fill up the first bin again. IMO stirring it doesn't work as well. Seems like there is always a dry spot or super wet spot that stalls out and doesn't break down.

[@zahidiqbal1453]

I am Pakistani I like it

[@JohnSmith-dt3iw]

what a great in depth guide to compost

[@selftaughtkh]

Love this. Like his illustration and teaching... Funny

[@oldtyres36]

Costa is King!!!

[@rhiannonh5202]

Have been using Costa's tip of starting the 50/50 ratio in the kitchen compost bin with layering carbon in between the nitrogen layers since this segment aired and our compost has been SO much better for it and we've also been using carbon sources more now which previously would have been recycled which is still great but takes carbon to transport and water to recycle. The best solution ever!

[@gregorymoeliker7689]

I use pot composting which adds soil to provide a culture, leaves to provide a substrate for fungi, food scraps, then leaves, then soil, water into a pot and then leave covered for two months. The soil and leaves will then culture the mix.

[@DjSkipAlexander]

A pleasant morning spent watching a great video on how to.

[@introtwerp]

You actually can put diary or anything organic based in compost as long as its covered well

[@andreasnowack8014]

Guy is symphatic from beard to toe, got a new abo from Germany up here!

[@oldmanpottering]

Compost Carbon Dance 😂 that was awesome, can definitely see the Greek heritage coming out 👍

[@nainatxene7824]

Amazing video! Love this brothers energy 🤟🏾💓🤟🏾

[@Brandtphenom]

Remember biomagnification, If some household products contain a glue or adhesive, those may build up to eventually become absorbed by plants. Please remember, we could be farming Hemp to reach a sustainable tomorrow. Please write or call big businesses and demand single use wrappers be made from hemp so we may COMPOST them. Thank you. Excellent content 👌🏼

[@ObjectiveAnalysis]

The problem is that the petrochemcial industry is subsidised by “our” governments, thus making oil-based plastics and chemicals so artificially cheap that bioplastics can’t compete (bioplastics containers are around 3 times more expensive despite requiring far less energy etc to produce)

[@KoendeJong]

Nice of you to give the microbes something to read!

[@TheEmmyjean]

That compost turning tool--what is it called and where can I get one???? It's amazing!

[@christinae.burlison936]

Looks like a paddle bit (similar to type for mixing paint or drywall mud

[@GardeningAustralia]

Readily available from good garden centres and nurseries - in Australia they're sold as a compost ‘worm’ or tuner.

[@rolfpoelman3486]

@@GardeningAustralia *tuner

[@YarrHarr11]

Aussie version of crazy Mantzoukas! Love your channel!

[@barbarapascoe5673]

Fantastic clear teaching, thank you!

[@beachystarlovelife3869]

Loved the carbon copy dance!

[@Joedirt5]

So much info omg. This thing is the best thing you can watch on the abc

[@rhiannonh5202]

love the kitchen cady idea, started using it this week :)

[@0ctatr0n]

All I can think about while watching this: Would this guy be a dwarf or wizard in Lord of the Rings?

[@ace2044]

He would be a hobbit, he is one with nature

[@vampyrick]

@@ace2044 so were most of the wizards? Radagast?

[@yeahrightbear8883]

Okay guys this is getting gay

[@0ctatr0n]

@@yeahrightbear8883 That's rich, coming from someone named "Phrygian Pear"

[@StreetMachine18]

Hes a level 25 dwarf garden wizard, the beard adds +6 commune with nature. Haha

[@fantasorganicgardenbyaor9760]

I love this VDO. Very interesting

[@origato4281]

If one has access to a forest or woodlands, they could also find the oldest trees, fold back that top layer of leaves, maybe an inch or so, and grab some of that leaf mold with all that good good mycelium, and toss a bit in your compost to help add some diversity to it.

[@mauricem7007]

Now that's some good advice, thank you!

[@ЮлияЕрмакова-ы1я]

You are so charming!!! Thank you!🙌🏻

[@marilynvarghese2254]

Very important guidelines 👍

[@yenphan8150]

Thank you so much for sharing us your helpful information

[@rachnakurdiya8474]

Thanks for great video 🙂. I have one question. When we turn the compost from turning handle then can it hurt worms? Thanks

[@rkaurearthy]

Thank you Sir, love from India

[@lucasberard]

Great video! Lots of great tips, and very entertaining. Looking forward to seeing more!

[@martinlaukkanen1652]

I also put the yeast from my homebrew in mine, it helps with decomposition.

[@GundamrussGaming]

Costa making it easy :) Going to start mine this weekend :)

[@DavinderSingh-ss6lh]

I subscribed just for your style and swag.....

[@ickynugson]

I look forward to more findings and research in this field of "compost archaeology", some truly essential work. Thank you!

[@kidsnkittens]

Love this! Such a great teacher.

[@veronicarobilliard8538]

i make compost with layers of paper, sprinkle of coffee grounds,sprinkle water, grass clippings, sprinkle coffee, sprinkle water, and keep repeating, till bay is full, its worked great in my veg bed for years, now its got very heavy and as if no air in the soil, what can i do ???

[@poolman8676]

That beard it's forming it's own compost. It's full of nutrients and black gold!

[@PrincessAndBear]

Chock full of yeast and bacteria perfect for composting 😀

[@poolman8676]

@@PrincessAndBear keck yeah lol

[@thenaturepatch]

Love this!! Great to see how easy composting is! Great video ☺️

[@purachi5236]

No sé hablar inglés, pero entendí bastante. Gracias. Saludos desde las sierras de Córdoba Argentina...!! 👍👌💪🇦🇷

[@demacherius1]

I love the energy that guy has. But I am not sure about the ink from newspapers and the Homeoffice.

[@madeoftime6553]

I spent about 20 minutes researching this just now. I would avoid composting paper with colored inks, especially glossy stuff. There has been a trend toward plant-derived pigments in colored newspaper inks but it would be worth investigating for your paper source. I didn't look into colored paper but that would be worth investigating. I personally would have low concern about composting newspaper with black ink, corrugated cardboard, and things like the molded pulp (paper) egg cartons in the video. Many VOCs that go into making these things are made of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen (and no other elements). Not only would these chemicals have to persist in a composting situation (where their elements are food for microbes), they would have to be taken up by plant roots for a significant fraction of them to get back into your diet. Persistence is possible but depends on the bonding of the elements within each chemical. The specifics of such a cycle would be worth examining for each chemical of concern. Keep in mind that I just scratched the surface. I see some sources with an anti-chemical bias touting concerns that don't apply to composting. But I see some industry or popular science sources glossing over compounds that serve as pigments, resins, film formers, or otherwise tune the properties of the ink. None of these are necessarily bad, but worth investigating. I mention the names of these material categories because they make it easier to dig further and find specific chemical names.

[@Sssmaug]

@@madeoftime6553 This is a great post - hope it doesn't get missed by those who voiced their concerns about paper products & cardboard. I've come to the same conclusions as you - avoid the bleached, glossy, highly coloured stuff & focus on rough newsprint & plain old cardboard if extra carbon is needed. Charles Dowding (UK) is a great teacher too, & has an excellent KZbin video about composting. I love EVERYONE who promotes & practices this essential process. 💞

[@mce_AU]

Thanks Costa. So informative. Cheers.

[@xSk8inpanda]

love the energy! cheers!

[@mumintaha7883]

This is brilliant! Thank you for sharing all this.

[@vijayalaxmi9132]

@ 0:21 sec compost Turner is amazing

[@Nonone36]

Very good and useful video

[@oumdarineoum4416]

انت عفوي اشكرك كثيرا

[@infiniLor]

costa is adorable! lol

[@gracehc9356]

This was such a great/ informative/ fun composting video ! Thank you for this!

[@paulking54]

Compost guru!!!!@ sweet one pal.

[@smitharasheed5894]

😍,think like Microns, Am from India, thank you for sharing this information

[@paulbarron7389]

Thanks, Costa always great stuff

[@GardeningAustralia]

Thanks for watching!

[@truskawkax]

perfect! thank you! this video help me a lot 😊

[@kallikratisplatanos]

Γεια σου ρε Κώστα άρχοντα με τα πράσινα σου δάχτυλα 😎😎😎😎😎!!!!

[@runjettyrun3819]

Love Costa 😍

[@defenderofdecency7218]

Good info. Thanks. By the way, your demo was entertaining.

[@danielmandy2776]

Coolest garden gnome

[@boudara]

That is amazing compost for garden

[@chocoline504]

Hi, Thank you for the video. I started my compost bin a few weeks ago and I would like to ask you some questions. How do I know when it's ready to use in my pot plants? Can I put hair and nails ? Is it ok to put any kind of paper and cardboard ? How often can I feed my compost? I set up my bin next to a tree, like 50 cm from it, is that bad? Should I change it? Thank you and sorry for the amount of questions.

[@NMW80]

If your tree is ok I don’t think it would matter. If anything it will help the tree grow better.

[@NMW80]

No idea about hair and nails but I think it would be ok 🤔 and i know all compost can take different amounts of time. It depends what is in it. Also the amount of aeration it’s getting, moisture, temperature etc. but I’m no expert I just research a lot and used to have worm farm compost bins and starting to compost again but with this kind of method in this video. The bins are sold at our local hardware store Bunnings so I think I will just use them from now on.

[@theopeterbroers819]

Hair and nails is the same stuff that is sold as hoof- and hornmeal for fertilizing purposes; that would be OK. As a new development 'wool pellets' is on offer here in Europe, I consider it a luxury [too expensive] item. I thought all heavy metals were banned from printing ink some 20+ years ago. I don't know the situation where you live, googling 'heavy metals ink' made me less sure about the present state of affairs. Using for pot plants. Organic matter will turn a dark brown/almost black when sufficiently broken down and somewhat moist. If you can still recognize organic structures like sticks, twigs or leaves, it's up to you to decide wether to sieve them out or not. I always sieve. How often can you feed; like 'apply'? Opinions vary. Since compost contains Nitrogen and Phosphorus, besides Carbon, it is possible to overfertilize using compost. Three mm of compost per year is considered OK where I live [NW Europe], while adding to/maintaining sufficient organic matter to the soil. The reasoning behind this is, that garden and agricultural soils are almost always saturated with Phosphorus, excess Nitrogen would seep out to waterways and groundwater supplies. Since I am still building the soil at my present sandy location, I apply about 12 mm mixed with some clay (fresh cat litter). Other gardeners, like Charles Dowding of no-dig fame, apply 5 cm per year. You choose. [And Charles is a much better gardener than I am]

[@gonefishing5536]

We half buried our whole bin and have only been adding foodscraps every week for 2 years, i guess the tonne of worms in there aerate it but might start putting some paper scraps as well. Funny part we've never emptied it, it just disappears. Even using scraps from a restaurant kitchen it all just goes into the ground.

[@ripme6616]

Sounds like a love affair

[@theserenityschool]

Nice info sir...

[@Alchemyforall]

Thanks, oh bearded one. I have one of those black tardis style black compost bins and I didn't like it because the materials just sat in there and became anaerobic . You just showed me what that curly stick can do.

[@NMW80]

I was also worried about that too. I don’t want bad bacteria growing out of control in my compost bins. I wonder if leaving the lid off at times with a shade mesh or clothe to stop bugs getting in would help with letting oxygen into the compost bin

[@OBRfarm]

Love this guy!

[@tshephard2793]

Cheers Costa!🍺

[@dougm2250]

I like the Microbe Goggles at 3:32

[@hannaryerson3304]

Awesomeness, thank you for this ♡

[@TheBeStLifehomestead]

I'm digging this dude he looks like my Australian brother I am also allergic to haircuts and razors