How to Create FAIL-PROOF Compost in 3 Easy Steps

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All of us have heard about composting. It SOUNDS like a great way to have a lower carbon footprint, to keep your scraps and your kitchen waste out of the landfill... but it’s intimidating. Learn this easy method of backyard composting and how to troubleshoot when things go wrong.
Free Composting Cheat Sheet! www.anneofalltrades.com/composting-cheat-sheet
For a full, step-by-step tutorial on the composting method, visit my blog post here: anneofalltrades.com/blog/easy...
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I'm Anne of All Trades. In NASHVILLE, I have a woodworking, blacksmithing and fabrication shop, a selection of furry friends, and an organic farm. Whether you've got the knowledge, tools, time or space to do the things you've always wanted to do, everything is "figureoutable." I became "Anne of All Trades" out of necessity. With no background in farming or making things, I wanted to learn to raise my own food, fix things when they break, and build the things I need. 8 years ago I got my first pet, planted my first seed and picked up my first tool. Get a better roadmap of how to grow deep roots and live the life you want subscribing to this channel and look for NEW VIDEOS EVERY WEEK!
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My goal is to learn and share traditional techniques and skills while showing my peers how to get from where they are to where they want to go, how to do the things they are passionate about, and what can be done TODAY to engage their own community and grow deep roots. Whether it's carving spoons, making my own hand tools, restoring my antique truck or growing heirloom tomatoes, the farm and workshop definitely keep me busy and support- whether financially through Patreon, through shopping my affiliate links, through buying merchandise, plans or project videos, or even just liking, commenting, and sharing my content with others helps me GREATLY to keep producing quality content to share.
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#compost #compostpile #howtobuildacompostpile

[@samscorgie3484]

Your videos make me feel like I have a cool aunt or cousin teaching me directly about these farm skills I don’t yet have but need for our move next week to 6 acres :) thank you for doing what you do!

[@AnneofAllTrades]

That is pretty much the best compliment I could get.

[@MansterBear]

6 acres? Awesome! That's our dream some day too. We have just under 1 acre now... but with house prices and interest rates, we won't be moving any time soon. Congrats though! It's been 10 months. How'd your garden go last year? Trying anything new this year?

[@user-wg4qd7tu3l]

This is absolutely the BEST compost video I have ever seen!! I have watched a crap ton of them that are not adequately broken down. (See what I did there?) Not only is your explanation informative and easy for non-scientific people to understand, it’s WILDLY entertaining!!! Thank you a HEAP!!! ❤❤😂

[@Agente000mcm]

"Little bit of water" -> proceeds to dump a full bucket😂

[@harpladyshomestead5278]

I live in Florida and have problems with chronic fatigue. Our sand, full of root knot nematodes, bull briars, and sand burrs, is really difficult to grow in. The labor is difficult for me, so your relaxed lazy gardening style gives me hope that I can do this!

[@Zaquanium]

hi how are you

[@eby6114]

Not sure what part of Florida but I buy mushroom compost a load for under a hundred delivered. They sell metal grow boxes online around 25 bucks. Bonus material if you use a shade cloth you can pretty much grow year round it makes it much more comfortable in the year round summer...ok I'm exaggerating about the summer but it's not a far stretch.

[@Zaquanium]

@@eby6114 no.

[@madisonv8642]

@@eby6114where do you order the mushroom compost from? What do you grow in it? Thanks

[@eby6114]

@@madisonv8642 most places that sell gravel and wood chips in my area sell mushroom compost. I am in Central Florida though. So I can shop in Leesburg Florida and Fruitland park.

[@mrssanchez6778]

The way you explained compost in this video makes it make a lot more sense to me.

[@chippyandpunk]

And they say, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks" WOOF! I just learned something new today. Thank you Anne.

[@AnneofAllTrades]

Yeeehaw! Glad to hear it!

[@allenbutterfield4989]

0

[@daniealsneed6766]

Omg I miss seeing your smiling face. Welcome back.

[@lint2023]

Fricking best composting video ever!!!

[@AnneofAllTrades]

So glad to hear it!

[@1rdgrnnr]

as a master-gardener i give you an A+, as a farmer, i give you an A+ your tolerance is fantastic. good to see you back !!!!!

[@AnneofAllTrades]

Thank you! Glad you’re here ❤️❤️

[@cmcinder]

I wish I had this much energy! You are living my dream with all of those animal helpers. Love this video and thank you for the tutorial. First I’m gonna take a nap. lol!

[@maraelaine7360]

This is one of the best explanations of compost I've seen. Thank you

[@AnneofAllTrades]

Wow, thank you!

[@shaunamaness854]

I just found your channel! You are a phenomenal teacher- I’m going to use your videos for my homeschool science!! Seriously, you are so great!

[@juliabrown5948]

Same! This is perfect for my kiddos to learn!

[@russellwood8750]

Wow, that was great. Reminded me of my grandmother that’s exactly how she used to do hers. She didn’t have a box with a sieve on top. She used to use a wheel barrel, and my grandfather made a sieve that fit on top of it. She would then shovel it on top of the safe and spread it around with a small hand trowel. Very similar to what you do. My grandmother also used to compost her weeds. She once told me you have to compost them before they go to seed. However, you can compost weeds that have gone to seed as long as your compost pile is hot as it will kill the seeds. Enjoy watching your channel in many aspects, you remind me a little of my grandmother, and that is a compliment as she is the greatest woman I’ve ever known.

[@ashleatenny2719]

You are an amazing teacher! I've watched my dad compost for 20+ years, watched numerous videos and clips. Yours is the first to really make me understand the whys and hows. I think this year's compost is going to really take off with these tips!

[@AnneofAllTrades]

That makes my heart happy! Making complex things make sense is my favorite!

[@AnnaKincaid]

my favorite part is all the animals wanting to be a part of what your doing 😆

[@AnneofAllTrades]

Mine too :) that’s my favorite part of most things I do

[@tarawatterson4188]

I've watched a number of composting videos and this was by far the best, most helpful one. Thanks!

[@justinstewart3060]

I don’t plan on composting anytime soon but I enjoy watching your videos! Keep up the awesome work 😎👍

[@AnneofAllTrades]

That’s the best compliment I could get!

[@Joni.b.]

What a fantastic tutorial! And I never realized that a fist was a measurement! 😊

[@NWforager]

in years Never heard such a concise breakdown on compost . Thanks Anne 💪🏽

[@AnneofAllTrades]

Thank you!

[@Manifestcovarience]

Hi Anne: This was a great video and I can't thank you enough for sharing your information about composting and the screen on the totes is a wonderful idea. I moved recently and have tons of totes. Also, I love your animals, they all look so healthy and happy and they are blessed to have you for their mom!

[@AnneofAllTrades]

Thank you! So glad you enjoyed it!

[@thorny3218]

I’ve been composting for a few years now. I learned the way really fast because the first attempt smelled like raw sewage. I then researched and realized I needed more carbon. Now I simply tear any cardboard that comes in. It’s been black gold ever since. I do the slow natural method, meaning I’m lazy and let the compost do it’s thing. Might take all year but it is easier than trying to rush it. I’ve been teaching my new girlfriend all about it. She’s getting to be great gardener fast. Cheers.

[@kamelsr]

I like your take on composting. It's different from the way I learned from my grandparents but there is always more than one way to do everything.

[@AnneofAllTrades]

I’d love to hear more about your grandparents’ method!

[@kamelsr]

@@AnneofAllTrades they lived Tacoma for all of their lives. At first they had two acres of land and had many fruit trees and a full garden. The composting was done by making the pile in stalls. They had three piles that were rotated so there was always fresh compost. Sadly they sold the property to the city when the Tacoma Dome was built and it's all a parking lot now.

[@MansterBear]

haha the one section starts with llamas just watching you... then 1 donkey shows up for a walk by, then the second. Then the first donkey is poking his face back in... next scene they're both standing directly in front taking up the whole shot haha

[@AnneofAllTrades]

We all know who the real stars are around here

[@kimberlysult8446]

I just found you and I ADORE YOU AND THOSE BABIES❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@claudiacochran9770]

I love your ideas and I will incorporate them into my garden, thank you for all your posts. ❤

[@DH-ry2ho]

Always great info and tips from Anne! Thanks!

[@eddy8828]

So much love for life in Anne. Thanks for the video.

[@rustyboltz5304]

Welcome back, I so look forward to your videos

[@mattevans-koch9353]

Always fun and educating watching your videos Anne. You really got photo bombed by that crowd! Thank you for the video and all of the helpful tips on composting. This is gong to come in handy this fall and winter so I'm ready in the spring. Take care.

[@tree_carcass_mangler]

Very thorough - thumbs up and thanks for posting!

[@lizluvsmargaritas]

You’re amazing! I love how you taught this. Now I know what to do.

[@camphircusquercus534]

I've never seen it done this way! Brilliant!!

[@CharlieThompson-pv5it]

Best composting vid I've seen. Thanks for the teaching.

[@sheamaloney5527]

You are a GREAT teacher! Thank you!!!

[@thebusybrownangel5829]

Best composting video ever! 💚💚💚

[@caroljohnson6694]

Such a great explanation. You make it seem very doable.

[@sylviavega-ortiz3006]

Very entertaining. Love your co-stars.

[@firemanj35]

Love all your helpers. Thanks for the great information.

[@AnneofAllTrades]

You bet!

[@SouthFloridaSunshine]

I also enjoy David the Good’s book -Compost Everything, but this is really great too for those who have room to compost this way with “building a house”, really enjoyed it.

[@Almosta-farm]

Thank you, i have learned so much! Your animals are so great ❤

[@wynelleu]

Loved how interested your alpaca were in the sifting process, lol.

[@brendakay5917]

Oh what a treat...love love all of your 4 legged helpers, Dr Annelittle :D Clearly they love you

[@mandyleeson1]

Lovely to see your mates coming to check what you're doing. Great trust there, good to see :-)

[@PorchGardeningWithPassion]

Excellent video! 👊🏻🌻👊🏻

[@batucarumbata]

❤ Anne so grateful to found you to the first video I saw today the tour to the lovely lazy garden and now here make my day nite. Love this video you know why the lovely animals all theme are the 🌟 in this video. Gratitude. Love all From Puerto Rico Caribbean. I am share this with my best friend that she call me mom .❤

[@husk79]

i never knew it was so simple to make something nice and useable

[@markmacdonald2347]

Great video Love seeing your fur buddies in your videos

[@AnneofAllTrades]

I love their interruptions too, most of the time 😂

[@tonyburelle6633]

Excellent primer, well explained, in depth

[@AnneofAllTrades]

Glad it was helpful!

[@tonyburelle6633]

Your lessons always are

[@franciscodanconia4324]

I’ve been wondering how to created a convenient screen to screen my compost. Never thought of using a storage bucket. Great idea.

[@faithsfarmlife1424]

love watching your videos My ten acre farm is a new start. Hope the bad weather steered away from you i spet some time as a kid in Nashville . my family moved there

[@rickpye2465]

Great info Anne! And I am so happy to see you on the KZbin again!

[@AnneofAllTrades]

Thanks so much! Glad to be back! Lots of new videos coming shortly!

[@slowmoejazz]

A leaf shredder would help shred your greens. You have a great channel. Thanks for sharing!.

[@lois1502]

Thanks so much, I can easily remember this method.

[@AnneofAllTrades]

So glad to hear it!

[@mountainviewturning5319]

Great tips 👍

[@northerngirlhobbies]

Excellent info.

[@MzCAGOMEA]

Thank you for the video. I figured it's pretty expensive to make your own compost since you have to go out and buy mulch. Being able to use paper from around your home can help. Thanks for that tip.

[@skogsmats]

Simple and clear. Nothing fancy or complex.

[@AnneofAllTrades]

Thank you! That’s the goal!!

[@JasonPatz]

Love it! Anne, I share your videos with my brother who, I think, has a farm someplace near you. Some very local help for him. :) Thanks for all you do!

[@AnneofAllTrades]

Thanks for that!

[@user-ei3uo6zb2s]

Wow thank you so much your videos have helped me so much I have been living off grid for 2 years now, this is so helpful ❤️

[@AnneofAllTrades]

You are so welcome!

[@jenniferaho1169]

I love your animals!!! Yes, I learned a lot. But!! Those animals ❤❤❤❤❤

[@donnacreager8428]

Well done Anne! The 'wall' approach is brilliant. I will be doing this next year. 🙂

[@AnneofAllTrades]

Heck yes! Just gotta remember our house :)

[@jeffkey3158]

Great video!!

[@Truthologyee]

Thank you😊

[@Rdneckcow]

I discovered you through Jess of Roots and Refuge..she mentioned you and I had to check you out...I truly enjoy your vlog.....like Jess you make everyone feel comfortable..I wish we were neighbors..**has anyone ever told you how much you favor actress Diane Lane...very pretty lady.** I'm 65 and retired in SC and really enjoying my yard...Tks for all your efforts to teach us....love the interaction with the animals.

[@lynxg4641]

Excellent video, very well presented and easy to understand, definitely will help when I start my composting. One thing, you mentioned egg shells as something your animals don't really eat, which I found weird, as pretty much all of my 12 dogs absolutely love them, raw or boiled, they eat them like treats.

[@h.sinclair]

wow excellent tutorial!! thanks!!

[@AnneofAllTrades]

Glad it was helpful!

[@clifc6351]

Loved the tutorial on composting, yours looks like a nice airy loam. We have sand and rock for soil so it requires double digging, sifting and mixing organic materials to the sand in everything we plant. Thank You very much for your tips on making compost.

[@AnneofAllTrades]

Best of luck! Hopefully this helps you on your road to better soil!’

[@GibClark]

Great stuff , thank you👍👍👍👍👍

[@AnneofAllTrades]

Thanks Gib!

[@csiwele617]

awesome tut. very helpful. you're amazing :-)

[@dakata160]

Great as always. I hope more people start doing this and protect nature and not throw everything where it falls, because we destroy ourselves, not viruses and similar nonsense. The planet is slowly fading and visible but people do not want it perceive.

[@DanKaschel]

Yes, everyone should just compost their depleted batteries

[@angelahoward6089]

Thank you for sharing this with us….. Much love and respect 👍🏼💪🏼#girlpower

[@kennethpwhritenour2701]

Are you still work for Interval compost products in Burlington Vermont so I know the compost process commercially and homeowner wise and yours is right on

[@idlewildsage8088]

Loved this vid!

[@AnneofAllTrades]

So glad to hear it my friend! Hope you're well. Miss seeing your face every week.

[@4n2earth22]

I been praying that you and yours will stay safe from the storm presently raking across the southern coastal areas. The Mighty God of this universe, please lean in close to Anne and her family, friends and critters and keep them safe! Amen.

[@AnneofAllTrades]

Thank you! We are ok here, just a little Wet :)

[@jamolly3447]

@5:44 Chef's Soil Salad! Yummy! Thanks for the advice. My son now has a legitimate reason to use his similar looking machete haha! 👍

[@mikehomner4724]

Good to see "Old MacDonald's Farm" is chugging along. We've missed you!

[@AnneofAllTrades]

Thank you! Yeah this place has really given me a run for my money this year but I’m getting better at juggling.

[@robertawestbrooks9531]

I enjoyed your compose video, thank you for sharing. I also loved your sweet tamed animals, Noah's Ark so awesome ❤❤

[@jeanallen7468]

Love the Alpaca photobomb!

[@jeanallen7468]

But apparently nothing compared to the donkey! 😂

[@jeanallen7468]

And then Lucy. What’s next? Ok I’ll stop now. Love it!!

[@kimdearing3051]

just started a small one. leaves , greens, a few food scraps, coffee grounds.... then more of last falls leaves ' stroke ' interfered with clean up... watered the layers with rain water... covered for now. i live in the woods so smell is no problem if it occurs.

[@Skashoon]

That’s some fine looking compost! I make lots of compost but it never looks as good as yours. I’m starting another pile using your method. I use chicken poo and straw mainly. I can get free sawdust (and I have tons of wood chips but haven’t used them to make compost) Going to try using the sawdust as my carbon because straw takes longer to decompose.

[@AnneofAllTrades]

If your straw is taking too long, I’m guessing you’re either not getting it wet enough, your mixture is off, or you’re not stirring often enough. You should be able to get some really stellar compost with chicken poo and straw

[@slowmoejazz]

I love all your friends that want to help.

[@christinacooper8731]

I've just come across your platform and love the videos!! The animal cameos are hilarious!! Love ya! #lazygardensister

[@donrozwick7367]

Thanks for the Video @anneofalltrades

[@musabadjie2969]

Wow you are doing a Great job okay 😍👋👍

[@LittleHomesteadOnHinerPond]

I just discovered your channel and love it! And I like the first harvest T-shirt you’re wearing but I don’t see it at your shop. Did you discontinue it?

[@joseantoniomenendezdomingu1162]

GREAT INFO 👍🇲🇽

[@dpmeyer4867]

thanks

[@AnneofAllTrades]

You're welcome!

[@heidiwheeler9917]

Best compost video ever!! I've watched a few and, each time, gone out to try their method and I am still left with soggy heaps of mush that aren't doing anything. So discouraging! This is a completely different method and makes a lot of sense to me, and I'm gonna give it another try. My only question is, with the cardboard on bottom, is your pile prevented from benefitting from earthworm exposure?

[@AnneofAllTrades]

The earthworms will eventually find it, but we don’t want them in there at first, because the pile will get too hot and kill them

[@creedsexton296]

sure hope to see some woodworking videos soon... I lie in the High Desert of southern California.... plants don't do well here....

[@AnneofAllTrades]

Coming soon! The move, the school build, trying to re-establish the farm, and all the business pivots we've had to make during the pandemic haven't left a ton of time for woodwork, but I'm currently editing three woodworking projects just for you :)

[@gperk929]

This is a great video. Can you make a video of you turning a pile

[@AnneofAllTrades]

You’re in luck, I Already did! kzbin.info/www/bejne/raHEYnVmndaomdUsi=PJ9BdP_-9JQ0ZtTJ

[@JohanPryra]

Hi Anne, thanx for the great video. I was wondering what size hole you recommend on the grid used for sifting?

[@AnneofAllTrades]

1/4” - 1/2” is good. Much bigger and the larger chunks will get in the way ;)

[@arthurwellsjr.4082]

How high do you usually make that type of compost pile? Do you have enough thermal mass with that pile? I've read & learned that a 4' x 4' x4' size pile is the minimum size to generate enough heat to generate & sustain heat for hot composting. I made a 4' x 4' x 4' hot compost pile in March of 2023 that was a mix of horse manure & oak leaves that generated head for 3 weeks.

[@carolinekloppert5177]

love your animals

[@rudyfisher7660]

Yeah I noticed that Lucy was stirring the compost pile hustle recently to leave it outside the house

[@AndreaMazzini]

As a city dweller moving to the countryside this is gold, thank you for sharing.

[@AnneofAllTrades]

That is EXACTLY what I’m hoping to share here. Stuff that helps you gain the confidence to ditch the city and go country :)

[@paja7647]

@@AnneofAllTrades Aw, come on now! We compost in the city AND grow in raised beds AND raise chickens, (the neighbors do)! Not many restrictions here in Indianapolis. I just wish I had a neighbor with a goat, but someday 😄.

[@AnneofAllTrades]

@@paja7647 That's fantastic! That was me less than two years ago! Except... I was the neighbor with the goat haha

[@meganweise6620]

Amazing explanation, thank you! Can I use leaves only for brown matter? I don't have access to chips but lots and lots of access to leaves.

[@AnneofAllTrades]

Yes you can!

[@AnneofAllTrades]

Just keep it stirred because leaves can bunch together and create an anaerobic environment

[@jackieleonbruno2324]

can you use bagged mulch for the first layer,as long as its clean and free of dyes?

[@astridexplorer5096]

This is a terrific tutorial full of good information, and a compost "house" is a great, memorable analogy. Thank you. One question: Other content creators say that you should poke a hole through your compost pile to serve as a chimney, allowing oxygen (another necessary ingredient) to get through the layers, especially for "condo" height compost piles. What are your thoughts on this?

[@AnneofAllTrades]

I have done a ton of experimenting, and while the chimney does help increase airflow, I find it to also be a greater attractant for bugs and rodents, so I don't personally use them.

[@ErikLiberty]

The brown stuff in the compost isn't there to trap gasses, it is there to feed the microorganisms as they break everything down into simpler substances. The nitrogen from the "greens" (nitrogen-rich materials) is crucial for their protein synthesis, supporting their growth and enabling them to multiply effectively. Nitrogen gas (N2) specifically is not a major byproduct of composting under normal aerobic conditions. Instead, composting primarily releases carbon dioxide and water as microorganisms break down organic matter. However, in poorly managed composts with insufficient aeration (anaerobic conditions), ammonia (NH3) can be produced, which is a nitrogenous compound, not nitrogen gas.

[@AnneofAllTrades]

The point I made about carbon trapping the “gasses” you’re referring to was actually in reference to trapping the smells that might attract rodents and other pests to the pile, not a misunderstanding on my part about what’s happening in the composting process 😉 One of the many mistakes most beginner composters make is leaving decaying matter in the surface of their pile, uncovered by a carbon source, and then they get frustrated when they end up with a fly or rodent infested pile that isn’t decomposing properly.

[@rachellemiller2355]

This is a wonderful video. Thank you. Question: so if I build my carbon house correctly, will I not have a rodent problem? Asking because I wanna get started and everyone tells me I need to build a rodent proof, 2 or 3 compartment area.

[@AnneofAllTrades]

If you’re managing your pile correctly, rodents should not be an issue- the carbon should cover the smells, not to mention the high temperatures inside the pile when monitoring the temperature and stirring regularly as the temps start to drop, kickstarting the heating process again, are a very big deterrent against anything. A good pile is literally too hot to touch.