One Rule Compost

The main compost system used within the RED Gardens Project is also added to by many households in the community, with a single general rule about what type of material can be added. And the methods used to manage this large volume of material have changed quite a bit over the years, with a lot more focus on building appropriate infrastructure, and turning a lot less. But what about the rats?
Help me develop these gardens and make more videos through regular contributions / redgardens
Or use www.paypal.me/redgardens as a simple, once-off way to support this project and the time and energy that goes into making videos. Thanks so much!
Part of the Cloughjordan Ecovillage, Tipperary, Ireland www.thevillage.ie

[@brianjacobsen8161]

You may be able to speed up your composting with a "seeding" technique I use. As the new compost bin/pile is growing, I occasionally add shovelfuls of mature compost, or even better, healthy garden soil, and it really speeds up the composting process! A shovelful here and there of healthy soil or compost provides jumpstarting "islands" of a balanced blend of billions of healthy microorganisms throughout your pile. The islands are similar to a sourdough starter, allowing the microorganisms to colonize the pile more rapidly.

[@BrixThePlanter]

You can also add EM one you can ride Bokashi IMO4 Coffee grounds and even urine to your compost pile in order to significantly increase the life and fertility as well as the speed also adding grass clippings leafs Along side of the rest of your organic matter like food scraps will really help accelerate the process I’ve been doing research for a long time trying to figure out the fastest compost plausible

[@lmarie3834]

Your glee at killing baby animals is concerning.

[@yomanspray]

Leaf mold also from underneath a big old tree also will speed it up. The layer underneath the recent fallen leaves

[@KnowOne111]

@@lmarie3834what do you mean?

[@THOTHvii]

@@KnowOne111 They probably live in the suburbs and have never had to be concerned about filthy RATS destroying their pride and joy.

[@tecmow4399]

I love how honest you are with your videos. It’s refreshing to see the reporting of actual experience rather than prescriptive advice. Thanks Bruce 😁

[@REDGardens]

Thank you. That kind of comment means a lot!

[@moseshenry1180]

100%

[@soundpitch1]

What a load of long winding crap this video

[@CaptainMattsWorms]

Great Video Bruce! I love how you are showing your learning curve to help us all from making the same mistakes :) Have you considered raising worms and turning that compost in worm castings? I raise millions of worms to create fertilizer for my garden and also to teach others how to care for them :)

[@jacobheinz8236]

Hey Bruce, I like most of all, your brutal honesty n no BS explanations. That’s what we all need dealing with a no Nature. I’m inspired by your welded wire on treated frames. I had enough with the pallets bcos they rot too fast n heavy.

[@LegendofKhaos]

The thing I enjoy most about your videos is you provide the information I'm interested in from the first second you start recording clear up to the end. No wasting my time doing long introductions or drawn out segues into other topics. 15 minutes of you is like 2 hours of several other KZbinrs. Keep up the good work.

[@TheGbelcher]

This is my first video from this channel. I’m 10 sec in but subscribing immediately bc of this comment.

[@tonysicily2687]

Ditto, a perfect upload. Looked and Subscribed

[@hakier_]

Me too

[@OrtoInScatola]

Brilliant system. Kind of what I was thinking about for my small garden, but the difference is that you actually made it and shared the results, which is now pushing me to try to implement it. Thank you!

[@REDGardens]

Thanks. Hope something similar works for you.

[@EstherCervantes-hk4pz]

If you seen one composting video, you've seen them all..... until you get to this one. Finally a man who dives into the pile building, literally! The explanation of the evolution, and scaling the operation up was extremely informative! Even if this is 2 yrs old it gained my subscription and thumbs up!!! I've done open piles, and stalls with pallet walls, but now the screened frames version is going to improve my operation, and allow me to scale up.

[@MaximumEfficiency]

still looks too much work

[@ChrisPBacon-yz6nk]

You should place a vertical pvc pipe in the middle of the pile with holes drilled in it to get air to the center. You could mount a receiver in the middle of the base to slide the pvc pipe onto then when you’re ready to turn the pile just slide it out and move it to the empty bin.

[@quazzarr]

I was thinking the same thing, but horizontal so both ends of the pipe are up against the screen sides. Or do both and make a T or a +

[@REDGardens]

@@quazzarr I tried the horizontal version with another compost pile once and it didn’t work so well, and virtually impossible to remove, so had to dig it out. The vertical version seems to be a better option I think.

[@gregridgeway8790]

@@REDGardens If you leave the pipes in just a while after you have filled around them, you can pull the pipes out and this voids won't close up right away. No need to complicate it by drilling holes in the pipes. I used corrugated drain pipes because I had them on hand and while it was a little difficult to pull them up at first they came out easily once I got them to move a foot or so. I used a piece of wood tied to the pipes as a lever against the side and then freed the pipe from the rope and just pulled them out the rest of the way. I think it's been working out pretty well.

[@ModelLights]

Just had this video pop up, and of course had the same idea. Only need 1/2 height pipes from the bottom to reach the center of the pile. Screw them into the base boards, then a few large cross holes in the bottom for good air inlet, then holes where you want in the pipes and open top end or cap it and cross holes so they don't fill up with junk. 1 pipe in the center, 4 in quadrant centers, or 2 on one of the diagonals of 4 and don't install the other 2 would be easy. 1/2 height so they won't even interfere with shoveling the top half and easier to reach over for the bottom half. Or smaller pieces at the bottom for a mount, then larger inside the pile pieces fit over them. Once shoveled to half way pull the pipes off and they're out of the way to shovel the rest.. Great idea overall of compost in place and barely have to flip anything, now I need the room to implement this..

[@mojonojo3]

That is the Johnson-Siu composting process

[@lancedaniels]

Thanks for posting and sharing. Very nice to hear about the evolution of the composting project. Particularly good to hear about how rats are addressed.

[@babarkhan1782]

Brother it is an incredible video.... I am so motivated.... An advise: in India we use jaggery syrup and calcium carbonate to speed up the decomposing.... It's like 1 kg of compost material and 10gm of jaggery we soak it overnite than pour the syrup in the decomposing material... Hope this advise becomes helpful....

[@onedeadchicken2489]

Molasses and water work well, I use it on mine and it decomposes way faster than without.

[@texxitexxi]

@@onedeadchicken2489 Yeah, bacteria like sugar.

[@daniluchison]

How long does it take then from start to finish using jaggery syrup and calcium carbonate?

[@flowzerr4550]

What is jaggery & what would we substitute in USA?

[@drandana3661]

@@flowzerr4550 molasses and a little water.

[@thomascreamer1519]

can't wait for 2 rules compost in four years!

[@REDGardens]

haha!

[@deanpd3402]

@@REDGardens One rule for compost and one rule for them.

[@Infiniti25]

have any suggestion/premonition of the second rule? 1. Only add anything that was recently alive. 2. Don't talk about Compost Club?

[@REDGardens]

@@Infiniti25 Definitely a candidate for the second rule!!

[@timobreumelhof88]

Lol

[@jvin248]

That's a well thought out system! Check into the 'Johnson-su' bio-reactor -- no turning necessary and your gear is almost there, just a small tweak: Either use their five pipes design during filling or a single capped (so scraps don't get tossed inside it) larger center tube (or just wire ring) you ensure air is available within one foot to any area of the compost in the bin. Once the bin is full you pull the tube(s) to set in the next bin leaving behind open holes for the air to circulate.

[@garrettmineo]

You are a great teacher. Too bad the media focused on celebrities and smart ass little turds rather than telling your story and lessons about how one determined person can actually make a change to help feed people and improving the environment. Bravo!

[@REDGardens]

Thank you.

[@RobertTozzi]

You only get lies from tv and politicians. Don't watch or listen to them is my best advice.

[@simplysimple7628]

😂🤣 sorry to laugh but thats spot on how I feel about this strange world full of attention addicts. It’s absolutely nuts. This is my entertainment. Watching these useful and productive stuff. This is by far the most underrated and under appreciated subject on earth. 🙏🏼😭🤙🏼 Much love and Aloha

[@Melicoy]

@@REDGardens NOTE: you can add a second layer of fencing in the middle of the pile to allow air to get into the middle... say welded wire fence wrapped around a pallet placed half way while turning the pile?

[@phillyphakename1255]

I wish we could have both. Entertainment is fun, even if it isn't productive, and fun is a big part of what makes living great. I also want to hear from people who went out into the world in search of knowledge who are reporting back on their discoveries. Sharing knowledge is a way we get better faster, with the mixing of ideas, with combining your knowledge with mine to make both of us better. KZbin actually does a pretty good job of giving easy access to both, as long as you are a bit intentional about what you click on your feed. Sure, there are big issues, feedback loops diverting you to popular or conspiracy or unproductivity, higher production value content having better search engine optimization meaning it will be prioritized in the algorithm, etc, but I still think the venture is good.

[@emmettroche313]

Great reuse of silage wrap for your bins, considering it usually gets burnt. Your composting system looks very neat. Great informative vid.

[@REDGardens]

Thanks. That sheet of plastic had been hanging around for ages, and finally found decent use for it.

[@Infiniti25]

@@REDGardens I have found that's usually the case if you hoard/hang on to things for long enough, a new user or a new use becomes apparent.

[@REDGardens]

@@Infiniti25 Yeah, eventually. I just have too much stuff!

[@Infiniti25]

@@REDGardens I encountered the same problem a few years ago. I’m self employed computer and device repair, but I daren’t advertise because if I actually got busy I’d have nowhere to queue up the work...I have a path into the room for access to the desks and that’s about it. Everything is “useful”...to someone at some point 🤪 I’ll eventually break out of that cycle of accepting people’s devices, that they replaced, with a view to repairing or using for spares.

[@JJ-en2rf]

Thanks for this video! I volunteer at a community garden and I recently tackled the very large, singular compost pile that was slowly inching its way into a walking path. I revived the previously established three bin system that was neglected, but I'm looking for ways to improve even that. I love the ventilation solution in this video and also the "one rule" for composting, which I've personally used in my backyard compost systems myself. Lots of boiled chicken carcasses went into that after making stocks :D Always had lots of straw to bury it under. Thanks for this video! Love to see the hands-on approach!

[@secondengineer9814]

This video is so instructive of a great feat of process/system development! The methods you've outlined seem super sustainable and easy to set up!

[@thaifreeburma]

What a great composting tutorial; I love how you've made excellent pragmatic decisions that have evolved and streamlined the project.

[@boele0707]

Man, this is useful! Not only do we see what you think works, but also your journey to your current systems and issues encountered on the way. We can all benefit from that. Thanks!

[@sixfigurebookkeeper7588]

Wow! I can’t express how much I appreciate you sharing your experience. This is incredible info! Thank you.

[@TheSuperduck23]

Thanks for posting this. It's great to see how your strategy has evolved over the years.

[@REDGardens]

thanks!

[@beretgascon]

I love how you have detailed the evolution of your compost bins and method. Sharing, A+++

[@CAMOCULT2086]

Just discovered your channel. Really looking forward to catching up with your project over these last few years. I soon will be starting my project and though I am also not to keen on being on camera, I will choose to brave it out and document my trials and tribulations. From groundbreaking forward. THANK YOU for the inspiration!!!

[@PaleGhost69]

Sweet, another video I can recommend to anyone about composting. I've been using your old one so it's nice to have a fresh one that has more experience behind it.

[@REDGardens]

Thanks for sharing!

[@CanadianPermacultureLegacy]

Fancy seeing you here :) I just found this channel - seeing you also watching it tells me there's a lot of value here.

[@PaleGhost69]

@@CanadianPermacultureLegacy Bruce knows his stuff and he's a data guy, too. Also iirc he is Canadian too. (Why do I always find canadians? Idk)

[@REDGardens]

@@PaleGhost69 Haha, us Canadians are everywhere!

[@PaleGhost69]

@@REDGardens Especially in my childhood, apparently. Almost all the tv shows I used to watch growing up were Canadian. I swear my being born in the us was a mistake.

[@raydowdy6914]

You definitely worked hard turning 7 piles. The air all around the pile is exactly what I do myself. Been thinking about using PVC with holes every foot.

[@isabelladavis1363]

Mercy I must say this looked like A HUGE AMOUNT OF WORK FOR ONE PERSON!…they are blessed to have you many thanks for sharing the ups and downs with us all…stay blessed

[@paulboyter4153]

Thank you for sharing this! Have been looking for a usable upgrade to my current system. Really like the hood and cover lids, some thing I really need in our climate. 🙏🏼

[@stubbi]

I honeslty like these types of videos so much, because they really do look back on systems and what changes and has been improved over time. And because of this I decided to up my Patreon Support. Thank you Bruce.

[@REDGardens]

Thank you so much for that comment! I often wonder how interested people are in the evolution or changes I talk about, and it is great to know that it is seen as valuable. And thank you for your continuing, and increasing, Patreon support!!!

[@stubbi]

@@REDGardens It is only when we look back at our projects we tend to see what has changed, and to think about changes we can implement to improve for the future. Thats why I enjoy watching this so much.

[@REDGardens]

@@stubbi It was a bit painful looking back through the old photos and video clips. I kept thinking “did I really use to do it like that??!!”

[@wresler103]

This was super interesting given a lot of the conventional wisdom on composting. Thanks for sharing!

[@tinteex9130]

this video took a dark turn lol

[@cricketcricket5547]

In what way

[@davidevans4565]

@@cricketcricket5547 The rat problem and solution?

[@ianbyers1250]

Thank you for this video and the first one you did years ago. I did the No Rules compost pile last year with just my own garden/kitchen waste. Amazingly it worked great, even after the sub zero winter we had. What amazed me was that I threw a few old Pizza boxes in, as our recycling center in town will not take them. I turned the pile three months later and could only find a small piece of the box, the rest having been broken down. Your system is proof that a pile does not need to be turned once a week or browns and greens need to be balanced as other channels have stated are necessary for a compost pile to work.

[@NerdMite]

Loved the video and your whole project. Great thought through system. It definetly improved alot!

[@ryanwalsh5019]

I personally don't even go that far. I just throw everything in a pile. Once the pile is big enough, it will work quickly. Even if it's small though there will be bugs that break it down if you don't disturb the pile. I've seen from order of most often to least often: 1)soldier fly larvae. 2)fungus gnats 3)grubs 4)pill bugs (many to almost none depending on conditions) 5)worms (usually at the bottom or edges of the pile) 6)centipedes (kills and digests bugs, returning nutrients back to the pile) 7)garden spiders (the kind that doesn't make webs and actively hunts down prey) 8) ants (usually on the outside when conditions are dry) 9) house flies (only if rotting fruits or vegetables are on top) 10) millipedes (herbivorous unlike centipedes)

[@daniluchison]

The problem is off gassing. You generate a lot if you don't turn it which defeats the whole pourpose of recycling!

[@ryanwalsh5019]

@@daniluchison I just do it for the compost, but I'd assume whatever methane it produces is less than would be produced in a landfill in addition to however much gas is used transporting the trash.

[@jackjohnson291]

@@ryanwalsh5019Exactly. I’m not against people having their own motivations and goals, as long as they don’t force me to adopt them as my own. I’m all for doing what I can for the environment, but I’m not going to make any huge difference in comparison to the level of methane swamps and volcanoes are pumping into the atmosphere. It’s a natural process that has taken place for millions of years, and it will continue to no matter what we decide to do. The little methane a compost pile produces is not even measurable in comparison (strain a gnat to swallow a camel type ordeal). I like to think God (call it Mother Nature if you prefer) knew what he (she) was doing in all of this. Working with that design instead of painstakingly against is just counterintuitive to my understanding. The whole point of minimizing methane is to make the pile less offensive to the senses and to make a more balanced and fertile compost, not to “save the planet” by reducing methane emissions by a most minuscule percentage compared to the whole.

[@BearHuggme]

Thanks for yet another great video. Our small scale garden system evolved to something similar. 1 cubic meter old chainlink fencing panels made from wood, lifted on bricks to prevent molding of the wood touching ground. We do not use bottom plate, as we find the help of earthworms useful. We also do not cover it, since it is a little bit protected by tree branches. I find turning just once gives good enough compost.

[@stevecarter8810]

Quite besides the content itself, you have possibly the clearest most articulate presentation style on KZbin. Whole sentences in a decent order spoken well! Much appreciated by this listener!

[@dirtpatcheaven]

Love this video! Thank you so much for explaining your process!

[@REDGardens]

🙂

[@Highlander.7]

very clean and effective, well designed, simple, repeatable, effective, and simple enough for anyone to do. no excuses!! much love brother

[@REDGardens]

Thanks!

[@Wakeywhodat]

Thank you for sharing what you have learned. I just re-designed my yet to be built compost bins.

[@jeepdriver7603]

I think my odds of success have greatly improved after watching your video. Thank you. I was planning on building a proper compost bin as I have seen done in other places and now realize that it too would not be optimal. What I plan on doing now is to make screen panels with welded wire, as you have, only with 1 change -- I will try to use overlapping eyelets on the ends of the panels with a wire rod running through them to pin the corners together. That way I can avoid the screws that will damage the wood eventually. Thanks again.

[@garyblake4296]

It gladdens my heart to see such thought and passion going into the project.

[@REDGardens]

:)

[@dragoncarver287]

Something I picked up watching about Johnson-Su Bioreactor. They put pipes in the stack, then remove them after a day to allow oxygen and water to get to the lower parts of the stack. I use a Geo-Bin adjustable plastic bin to stack leaves and grass clippings for composting. When a stack is built I use a piece of rebar to make holes in the stack for that same purpose-- to allow water and oxygen to the bottom of the stack. I can use a hose to run water down into the stack. It does heat up and when the stack has settled a bit, I can remove the bin and start another stack, or turn over the first one into the new one. I feel confident using it after a month. However, if I let it sit longer it becomes a big worm bin. Can't get better than that!! Just thought the pipe thing to allow more oxygen in might be a help. Don't know how exactly you would use that but just something to think about.

[@mrJMD]

I've always appreciated your compost method, and this refinement is excellent. The new cage system seems really great, it looks nice and with the very obvious open bin it must make things even easier for a community of contributors. Thanks for another great video!

[@REDGardens]

:)

[@xavierderoos]

This is a great video. Thank you! We will be implementing some of your ideas in our Renüable community composting program here in S Florida!

[@sneedis9909]

have you ever considered inoculating your compost with mushroom spores? i have never tried it but theoretically it offers a lot of advantages 1. it helps the compost decompose 2. the mycelium adds structure and air to the compost 3. it can out compete and replace potentially harmful fungus 4. potential for edible mushrooms

[@dodril17]

This is true, but a good compost is broken down by aerobic bacteria and not fungus, therefore adding mushroom spores early in the process just goes to waste, due to the thermal conditions and PH fluctuations. Plus Funghi only decompose lignified carbon, making it useless for decomposing most ingredients that are added to a "usual" compost.

[@strauchdieb7628]

doesn’t affect the quality, but funghi get destroyed in hot compost

[@jeffbonds3850]

id only recommend bolting it together so you dont have to screw and unscrew into the wood maybe even putting gate hinges and locks to swing the front open and possibly using chickens in the composting system it helps feed them and especially with big chickens like meat chickens because they can dig deeper and theyd eat rats and mice again feeding your chickens so cheaper eggs and meat

[@REDGardens]

I experimented with bolts, but found these pan head screws to work better, and are easier to work with.

[@bikelanez7376]

Thank you for sharing and creating the one rule compost great job

[@rufia75]

I really like the design of your bottom mesh section and am likely to add it to my pallet bins. Thanks for the video!

[@REDGardens]

Thanks! Hope it works for you.

[@revolutionfarm1232]

Excellent, clear, constructive video full of useful information. I've been making compost for about 15 years and appreciate your methods. I've never had a real problem with rats though...

[@ingevankeirsbilck9601]

Do you have a lot of cats or other animals who get rid of any rats?

[@daver.2871]

Man, that was a lot of information. Thank you for taking the time to put that together

[@REDGardens]

:)

[@bigcitybuslines3872]

Great update. Your no rule compost was the first video of yours that I watched, years ago, and got me into composting and gardening. Now, I'm on my second year of gardening. :D Thanks.

[@phoebebaker1575]

This post really makes me happy. I love that composting inspired the gardening. It’s great to see kitchen scraps and yard waste become compost for your plants, which then become ingredients for your meals.

[@jonakui]

Great video, nice beds. Thanks for sharing. God Bless.

[@ebybeehoney]

It would be nice to see systems like this set up at community garden spaces - where people can rent plots. Maybe they have started in my town since I have bought my own house now and have my garden there, but there wasn't anything previously in my town.

[@Preciadofied]

Imagine if you set up 2-3 of these in areas where you plan on planting new garden beds or fruiting trees to boost the site! Charging up the space instead of taking up space! Intentionally placing compost frames to help recharge the fertility of the site!

[@REDGardens]

That would be an interesting option.

[@davidquirk8097]

Thank you for sharing your experience.

[@REDGardens]

:)

[@najibar.1135]

I’ve watced this video atleast 5 times (maybe more) and i still learn something new all the time. Its so jam packed with information that sometimes i can’t focus on everything, yet i dont get bored rewatching it. Keep up the great work!

[@REDGardens]

Wow, that is great. Thanks!

[@Andyisgodcky]

You could potentially eliminate the need to manually turn the compost by rigging a pulley system to lift the base up by one end like a trap door, and having the compost you intend to turn roll into the next 'bin.' This has the added benefit of starting the process of removing the base for use down the line, essentially combining two processes into one.

[@REDGardens]

That would be interesting to try. I wonder what kind of support structure would be needed to support the pulley with that weight.

[@MrLocust]

Surprised you wouldn't keep more cats. I have 3 cats (and counting; as they release TNR cats in my neighborhood) that keep all rats away and I have about 10 various piles in my yard so far.

[@lebienfrias]

@@REDGardens a chain block would help...

[@wookiee1807]

@@REDGardens I don't think it'd be hard to make a strong support for that at all! I grew up on a homestead in Arkansas, and we had TONS of frames and hoists we used for different things. We'd unload 1-ton bags of rice that was spilled by a semi or discarded by the rice drier, we had another that we'd use to skin and dress out 800lb+ hogs/average white-tail deer/heavy as hell beef cattle that we raised for meat and milk. Literally either metal poles welded or bolted at each end to a long railroad tie or 8x8 (or any large heavy post that can be drilled out)

[@DanielOlivierArgyle]

My first thought about having the compost lifted off the ground is that it will limit access to worms, nematodes, slugs and other critters that help break it down.

[@REDGardens]

I have found that they migrate sideways from the adjacent older piles as they are all connected (once the first turn is done). there are always tons of worms later on when the heap cools down some.

[@richards5110]

Worms and other high level consumers like them (millepedes etc.) are usually very adept climbers, so should be able to find their way in regardless.

[@karlau1084]

Excellent explanations of both how and why with great supporting video! Glad I discovered you!

[@TheOneLifeguard]

Great job with your improvements. You really are creating a great example that other community gardens can follow. Thank you for your thoughtful work!

[@REDGardens]

Thanks!! I do hope it can help a lot of people!

[@CanadianPermacultureLegacy]

Pretty good video - I just found your channel. It looks like we have similar channels you and I - and also seem to focus on the "why" to do things, and improving processes through science. I do have bad news for you though, turning the compost really important. My background is in science (engineering), so I really get into the science side of things. I only mention that so that maybe it helps you take some of this for serious consideration. The air gratings on the sides and the bottom help but their impact is very very small actually. Unfortunately it has been shown many times in many research papers that it's the physical turning of compost which does 99% of the methane reduction. It should also be mentioned that avoiding going anaerobic isn't only a methane concern, but propagating anaerobic microbiology will offgas many other elements out of your pile. Sulphur gets released into the air via a gas, instead of bound to Oxygen as a solid. Similarly other key minerals get offgassed in anaerobic piles and those nutrients are lost out of your compost. Additionally, the line in the sand of "good guys and bad guy" soil microbiology is answered with 1 quesiton "are you aerobic". Having anaerobic compost piles isn't only smelly, it's not just about losing your nutrients, it's not just about methane, it's also about breeding pathogens and then putting those pathogens into your gardens. Even on the extreme end (a completely open pile), turning it is still absolutely critical. One example research article is here: academic.oup.com/femsec/article/52/2/175/541445, and it shows methane production at varying depths and varying ages (time between turning essentially). Methane production goes up by a factor of 10 thousand after just 8 weeks, and increases 10x as you go even just 60cm into the pile. Most of the decomposition happens on the inside bottom third of the pile, so getting air into the sides of the pile is actually not even that effective. I.e. you have high O2 in the area of the pile that isn't undergoing decomposition. As far as the bottom grate goes, I can't seem to find the paper, but I did read that because there's no ground contact, and worms cannot get into the pile and help aerate it between turns. This impact is less important for the first few weeks of the pile when the decomposition is mainly thermophillic bacteria. However, it's crucial to get ground contact after those first few weeks, so that you get worms more involved - and they thrive on ground contact and actually help carbon sequestration right around the pile (which looks to be next to your fruit trees, so I'd say that's even more important, because the piles are making your fruit tree root zones anaerobic right now. Unfortunately, your new pile is a methane generating factory and the only way to prevent that is by turning it. Infact, your old pile with the boards on the side and no O2 infiltration (but which was turned regularly) is likely 2-4 times better for the environment than the new pile. I hate to break the news to you, but as much as the new system is less work, it's almost exclusively breaking down anaerobically. It's not just that one research paper either, if you do some searches you can find many others, and they all point to the same thing... turning the pile does 99% of the aeration, and a pile can go anaerobic in as little as a few hours. If you really were set on this process, you may want to look into a Johnson-Su bioreactor. It basically includes multiple perforated pipes into the pile, so that air can constantly get right into the pile. The downside with these is that they are water hogs. I hope all this helps. Cheers.

[@alisonmcinnis9997]

Wow this is like running into a celebrity in the wild! I didn't know you watched this channel! You guys should do a collab

[@REDGardens]

Hey there, thanks for watching. Glad you found my channel. I have been watching some of your videos for a while, interesting stuff! I was trying to figure out where in Canada you might be locates, and I suspect it might be close to where I grew up in Caledon, Ontario. Your information about the methane production is very interesting and I will definitely need to do a lot more research and exploration. The Johnson-Su factor is definitely one way to go, though I have normally seen it as a batch system, whereas I need to work with a continuous feed type system. Lots to think about, Thanks. :) The issue of not touching the ground is not a problem, I think, as the pile is turned int a bin with one side touching the older turned piles, and lots of worms and other creatures migrate sideways between the piles.

[@2adamast]

@Canadian Permaculture Legacy The study presented could indicate that the methane production will be minimal. Thanks to the all around ventilation and the limited size of the piles, the overall temperatures will be much lower than those measured in the study. This gives lower methane production in the centre and better methane oxidation in the sides. And that could correlate with the perceived low smell of the piles.

[@davidgates1887]

Do you like science here’s a project for you, Take green planted and or leaves take old egg shells and powder them take human peee add to a five gallon buck till full 100 0/0 nitrogen

[@REDGardens]

@@paulmckenzie4291 thanks for all that detail. Sounds very interesting. I trying the forced air idea is a very interesting and useful one, and would be keen to try it out. How frequently do you use the blower?

[@jaimerasheed1]

You should add hinges to the back of the lids to make it easier to open, then use something to just hold it open as you transfer compost over. Thank you for the video!

[@REDGardens]

I used to have hinges, but actually find removing these lids entirely works quite well, and is simple enough. I occasionally remove them to le the rain, without having to worry about the wind.

[@simoningouville1464]

amazing man! and your no rule compost was and has been amazing to stumble upon since ive seen it . ive been exploring similar things. ill like your scheme! ive come to find out that comon box cardboard is a great thing to put from the inside against the mash. it has a great interaction, letting air and moist through in a pritty elegant maner for the pile. . and last a lot too. thanks for this man! we need to be millions handeling life around the world in this beautifull and simple manner.

[@richards5110]

Thank you for showcasing the evolution of your processes over time, the successes and the pitfalls. Really informative work.

[@REDGardens]

Thanks! Glad you found it valuable!

[@noelkealey]

One suggestion: try adding a 4’ or 6’ pipe with lots of holes in it in the middle of the pile to make sure air gets in. You can also remove it later and add new greens in there to restart the decomposition process if needed.

[@tzenophile]

I would simply weld a hollow "pitchfork", drill many small holes in the prongs, and hook it up to an airpump set on a timer.

[@REDGardens]

That would be a good thing to try.

[@REDGardens]

@@tzenophile I think having an air pump on a timer is an interesting option.

[@tzenophile]

@@REDGardens Sounds like a good experiment, no? three bins, one with plastic tubes passively conducting air, one with nothing, and one with forced air, 3 minutes three times per hour. Monitor temperatures in the piles.

[@tzenophile]

@@finchj9b Thanks; I just saw it. He makes a great point about passive vs active aeration; I do wish he had a control pile unaerated, to see how much difference either method makes from doing nothing. There is also the question whether 10 minutes is too much; the fresh air might cool down the composting heat process?

[@reigyst]

The rule: you can add anything that was recently alive (seen at 2:07 and 13:15). Also, this is a great composting system, nice work!

[@kailashbtw9103]

Quality composting setup, gonna show this to some friends looking to get into the game

[@michaelvigh926]

HARD WORK and TIME... GREATLY APPRECIATED.

[@REDGardens]

Thanks!

[@JohnP58]

One small suggestion may I propose. (Couldn’t hold myself) There’s many suggestions here (your channel fans like me!) there’s is a lot of method to make this compost more efficient and less work in order to make it routinely. Mechanical device put together or technique to help turning and sifter the compost to get a good quality. I personally use the plastic baril to turn it, I’m in the process to make it mechanically done. You should perhaps (just a suggestion here) open a option from your channel members to participate in ideas (with there experience) to make compost with less work possible. This could be very educational in my point of view. Cheers from CDN

[@GurkanYeniceri]

The video I've been waiting for.

[@REDGardens]

:)

[@cavemanjack1570]

Thanks for detailing your experience and lessons learned

[@kevinhunter8585]

Really great stuff, always and forever one of the great. Content providers 🙏🏽

[@partimentieveryday]

I'd love to see a video going into detail about how you've improved at killing rats in your area and how much killing them in this way has improved your peace of mind when it comes to the gardens and the compost piles

[@REDGardens]

Thanks. It was really good to figure out that method, as it makes the whole process a lot easier and more effective, if I can find the nest entrances.

[@fxm5715]

In case you haven't looked through Bruce's back catalog, here are the three top hits for "rats" on this channel. Dealing with Rats in the Compost: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iWLbZHl7rMukm80 Rats Love Vegetables: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qWnHpoSCoL92eZY Predator vs Pest: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qmLOnKt5mJikbas

[@partimentieveryday]

@@fxm5715 Yes these are great videos but they are not quite what I am looking for

[@REDGardens]

@@partimentieveryday Fair enough. I’ll try to work I into an appropriate video.

[@partimentieveryday]

@@REDGardens Wow thanks! Obviously you should make whatever kind of video you want but thanks for the response!

[@volsoung7487]

I've seen a video on youtube with a wire ''tube'' in the middle of the pile, to allow air in the middle of the pile, where it tends to lack a little. But it might prevent the temperature to go high enough to kill seeds and diseases.

[@REDGardens]

I have seen versions of those type of holes in the centre of the pile. I haven’t figured a way to sort something like that in th continuous feed community system I am using. I am thinking of setting up something like this for the first turn. But I am also concerned about the loss of heat as you mention.

[@denisdorney4178]

You could add the tube in the middle after you turn the compost once or twice. I belive the aim is to make sure that none of the compost is more than 1ft from air. You could also accomplish this by using your mesh base and not stacking the compost higher than 2ft.

[@ceselb]

You're talking about the Johnson-Su bioreactor I think. That has a different design goal, but should work well I think.

[@brianwhite9555]

Have watched dozens of compost videos, but always have room for one more. I'm accustomed to just building a large pile directly on the ground, without sides, but for this enclosed system, I like the wire mesh framework placed in the bottoms to promote airflow. I turn my pile with a small tiller, which aerates deeply, after which I re-stack the pile with a rake. Having trouble with composting this season due to too much rain here in SE Michigan. Too much moisture in the soil doesn't even let me approach the pile, much less add to it. Weather systems are changing, making adjustments necessary, possibly leading to making more raised beds.

[@nicole73551]

Good work. I love compost piles and volunteer at a community garden as their head gardener where, whenever someone asks what they can add to the compost, I try to promote the idea "If it was alive, it can live again". The less restrictions the better. Although i too struggle with not enough compost, but basically due to lacking in an inventive way to turn compost that would require less physical labour as many options and sources for materials are there for us to collect if we had this

[@martinvegner3212]

Woohoo new composting video! What a time to be alive!

[@REDGardens]

Yay!!

[@Kitopa]

Very cool video! Thanks alot for posting, i love learning new ideas for compost. Quick question, have you considered inoculating your compost with mushroom grain spawn? It would break down the material faster, create a symbiotic Relationship with the plants when used in garden, great water retention, helps plants absorb more from soil, and if you use insect killing fungi like metarhizium/ beauvaria/ or cordyceps militaris, then you wouldn't have to worry about flies and larva , and when in garden, things like carrots or potatoes wouldn't ever be eaten by underground pests. Just an idea, I've only recently began experimenting with fungi in soil. I have some metarhizium on agar now, cant wait for my entire garden to be full of fungi to revolutionize my plants

[@fazorboy]

This is great very similar to the Charles Dowding system but with out the the 5 figure price tag. I too have adopted your one rule composting system much to my neighbour's disgust and alleged rat sighing. I'm a taj smaller system of a green johanna as main composter and darlek's for storage you've helped on my journey a lot.

[@brianjones4387]

A superb, very informative video. Thank you for posting a call the best for the future x.

[@GurkanYeniceri]

Fire that cat. And what a healthy rat that was. His diet must be perfect :-D

[@pepperdude]

Seriously. They're homies.

[@REDGardens]

@@pepperdude Yep! They seem to be!

[@REDGardens]

We breed seriously healthy rats around here!! ;)

[@michealwhite8776]

The one who needs " fire is you Gurkan "

[@SuperFX]

lol, no way that cat could harm that rat.

[@herringtonfarms5927]

Being someone from a speech and language background, I love your voice and diction. Smooth and precise. Just subscribed.... Great information delivered as it should be.

[@tedf1471]

There is a critical bulk to a good compost pile. I used to fret on with different systems that never really got working properly until I moved to a bigger garden and made a much bigger pile, about 1 cubic metre seems the minimum. Seeing it steam quietly in the winter was most satisfying!

[@lioneluhlmann9200]

this was so thurough, informative and pleasant to go through. THANK YOU, for taking the time and providing the why's in addition to making this video. making it make sense is everything.

[@REDGardens]

👍🙂

[@MindfulScott]

It's a shame that the rats have to killed but I know the struggle of dealing with rats. If only there was another way to protect gardens and compost piles but still keep the natural pests away. There are native rats that are natural to any system, they are not all invasive species. I have considered trying using electric wire to deter rats but for me cats are the best way.

[@olliebarwise7264]

The problem with cats is the incredible damage they do to local wildlife, invasive or native.

[@REDGardens]

I also find it to be an unfortunate issue. Rats are native and will exist in many ecosystems. Unfortunately we have created a context where there is plenty of habitat, lots of food and have scared away most of the natural predators. The population level would never be this high in a “natural” setting, Introducing a cat as a predator is problematic as mentioned, as it is a non discriminating invasive species that really damages ecosystem balances. I could theoretically make a compost system that is rat proof, though if you want to make it easy for humans to access then it will be easy for rats to access. But if I do that then the rats would more likely eat a lot of my vegetables straight from my gardens. And keeping them out of the gardens is impossible, unless I wanted to create a completely unnatural environment. So with all of this, I have come to realise that I need to actively control their numbers, to keep the population down to something similar to what might be expected in a natural environment, that didn’t have so much food around.

[@chuckruffingchuckr7263]

He is the predator and is taking care of the rat problem. No need to get another animal to kill. Maybe throw the rats into the compost to get use out of them?

[@REDGardens]

@@chuckruffingchuckr7263 Yep, the rats are another form of fertility to add to the pile!

[@denisdorney4178]

This may not be the easiest thing to do but if you can get someone who has a ferrite and have the ferrite (on a lead) walk around the garden, it will deter rats for a number of months. When rats get the smell of a ferrite they move away from the area.

[@Dirtos]

great looking system! minimising the amount of turning needed by going for a slower composting process was a wise choice. Let the worms/insects/bacteria/fungus do the work for you.

[@Infiniti25]

As well as increasing time for worms to proliferate and leave many worm castings improving the quality of the finished product.

[@REDGardens]

@@Infiniti25 Yeah, the worms do really colllnise the pile of I leave it alone!

[@Reciprocity_Soils]

tremendously good work, Red. thanks for sharing.

[@jeremyhula931]

Thank you for the awesome video. While I was watching I thought that it may speed up the process if once the pile gets about halfway full you add another one of those bottoms to it in the middle of the pile. That would create a little air flow in the middle of the pile.

[@OGSnoberry]

Awesome video. Loved hearing about your process and the improvements/innovations. Really saddened by the section concerning the rats, though. I realize pest control is an important facet of agriculture, though I feel like showing a handful of adorable rat pups then segueing into talking about using a weeding torch to kill entire nests/burrows with heat and gas exposure is unnecessarily cruel.

[@REDGardens]

I appreciate that sentiment about the rats. It is a tough issue, and one where there is quite a diverse range of strong onions. I guess what I was trying to get across with including that image of the rat pups, was that it is a tough thing to do, and that you can have an admiration of the animals, and still seek to find ways to kill them in ways that are simple and effective. I find too many videos relating to rats refer to them as 'pests' or 'vermin', essentially evil nasty creatures that must be exterminated. I recognise that I often present this issue in a way that would seem appropriate to a lot of people, and definitely didn't in this video, where I was trying to squeeze a complex issue in as a brief side topic. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@d0nn13m0n0]

I remember your old setup. This one seems great. How do you feel about bioreactors?

[@REDGardens]

The bioreactors look very interesting and well designed. One issue I have in this context is that they seem to eb set up as batch systems, whereas I need a continuous feed system. But I am definitely interested in exploring the possibilities.

[@kevinbond2521]

I assume you are discussing anaerobic methane bioreactors. I work with one that uses bacteria to clean our wastewater from the mixing part of the factory. It burns clean until we have an imbalance due to sugars. How would this system work with plant wastes?

[@m3sca1]

love how your systems evolve to a more productive method and less work effort. thanks for sharing. there was a book i read years ago that spoke about using ying and yang metals in the pile and it helped make a really top notch compost. it was zinc and copper filings and they were added as a very fine sprinkle in alternative layers. i guess it would become somewhat a battery...a book about victor schauberger by callum coats...very interesting stuff

[@tedtolentino4955]

Thank you for your excellent explanation of how you evolved your composting project. Many good ideas presented here.

[@REDGardens]

🙂

[@khandam7709]

RATS! do you think using 1/4" welded wire mesh and tight fitting lids would keep rats away? Obviously people would have to close the lids, and that might be the hardest part, because everyone knows training humans is almost impossible. lol.

[@NoNORADon911]

They were trained to wear nasty mask, stand on lines like cattle and get experiMENTAL injections, I completly disagree, you just need an endless amount of brainwashing/propaganda/politicians/celebs

[@REDGardens]

I think the 1/4' welded mesh would definitely do the job, but it owed have to be around the full structure including the base and lid. Getting a lid that is easy to use and lift, preferably with one hand, and to close again. I haven't bothered with this as I still want to attract the rats to the compost so they stay away from my vegetables in the garden.

[@REDGardens]

@@NoNORADon911 Or convince them to reject science and common sence with a few youtube videos ...

[@NoNORADon911]

@@REDGardens Yeah no such thing as people paid to say what you want them too like celebs, politicians and ''scientist'' lol

[@NoNORADon911]

@@REDGardens You know why they call it the American dream? Becuase you have to be asleep to believe it

[@rexherrold]

maybe this is a dumb idea, but what about making a cube with latches, and just roll the cube around?

[@REDGardens]

Sounds interesting. It would be a heavy weight to roll!

[@haroldkerwinjr3026]

Make it round. Like giant rock tumblers.

[@danielnunes3021]

@@haroldkerwinjr3026 you can do it with a shaft in the middle, which would make it easier to roll it in a geared system

[@juguruteacher6204]

Brilliant! I don't currently have my compost piles ( 2 meters long, 1.5 meters high to start) in bins but have four set next to each other and I am working on the fifth. I hope to only turn it twice before it's finished. It's got a bunch of vining weeds in it and it's a pain to turn for the first 30-45 days. Living in the tropics helps a bit as things break down faster. I hope to eventually get to the point where I can have several bins and maybe get some of the restaurants and folks in the village to donate. Nice video. Love the trial and error.

[@nefariousyawn]

Thanks for the update! I like your approach to composting.

[@REDGardens]

:)

[@van_for_two5665]

Loved the video!.... Untill the "i kill and burn the rats alive" there are also ways to remove rats humanely but apart from that great video 😊

[@REDGardens]

Thanks. I can recognise that killing rats is an issue for some. I have found that we have created a diverse habitat for rats to live in, with an abundance of food fort them to eat in the gardens, but all of the natural predators of rats are not around enough. So I have become a replacement predator of the rats in order to keep the population in check. And I suffocate them in their nests, not burn them alive. If I did find ways to remove them “humanely” I am not sure where they would go?

[@skinnyWHITEgoyim]

Rats are a pest and cause huge problems for tons of farmers. They destroy entire crops, animal feeds, chew up farming and gardening materials, even chew the coating off electrical wiring. They're a destructive force that one must simply remove. They will destroy everything of value if not controlled. They breed crazy fast and are maddeningly frustrating to try and get rid of. Once you've had a problem with a rat infestation you will understand that they must be destroyed. There's no wrong way to kill them.

[@mvblitzyo]

Really enjoy your education over the many seasons. Thanks

[@oilspeculatorhater]

What great information. Thank you sharing.

[@actsnfacts]

Very good, very well written and delivered! Thank you! In smaller scales and, with large modifications, larger scales too, associating composting with raising chicken is an excellent way to minimize the need for turning and basically solve all of the rat problem. Eggs as a bonus!

[@ninelaivz4334]

Nice system! Beautifully explained. And now I know why my composting efforts took ten years to work!. There was no oxygen in my bin and I wasn't turning it because it wasn't possible in this bin. You need a balance of dry and wet waste and mine was mostly wet because finding dry was difficult.

[@giovannifiorentino8947]

I like the evolution sequence video about previous procedures. I hope you have the time to look into the Johnson-Sue biodigestor, that basically introduce air into the pile by living vertical shafts without the need of turning it. The original design pile is cylindrical but I adapted it to my cubical existing ones. It will be good to see it working for you too.

[@gratiankarunaratne9572]

Excellent way of presenting this video. Thank you so much and God bless you.!!

[@cindyc1674]

I really appreciate this information on composting. Love it. Everyone should compost at their home. In an apartment too. Thanks!!