The Perfect Compost Recipe - How to Get Your Compost Heap Cooking!

💛 📖 See the GrowVeg book here: www.growveg.co....
Compost is the very best food you can give to the plants in your garden. However, making really great compost requires the right mix of ingredients. In this video we demonstrate how to create that perfect recipe from the ingredients you have at home. You'll see the compost mix being created, find out what materials to avoid, trace how the compost heap progresses as it 'cooks' and discover how to fix common problems.
If you've noticed any pests or beneficial insects in your garden recently please report them via bigbughunt.com
You can plan where to site your compost heap using the drawing tools available in our Garden Planner which is available from several major websites and seed suppliers:
www.GrowVeg.com
gardenplanner.m...
gardenplanner.a...
and many more...
The compost bin system comes from www.recyclework...
Please subscribe to our channel if you'd like to be notified of new videos in the series, or like the video and add a comment to give us feedback. Thanks!

[@gunsofaugust1971]

Note to people who make videos like this: Emulate the way this guy does it. Show what you are describing, not your face. Use clear graphics. Keep it under ten minutes (you can always link to extended versions). Good job.

[@WhatIsMisophonia]

The important thing is to keep it clear and to the point rather than just winging it like so many others do; that's why it's rather short.

[@Mtkrvi06]

Agree. I end up fast forwarding the “yappy” videos. I want directions. I don’t care what someone ate for dinner Monday-Friday or where they went for a date last Thursday lol. Question. What do you used to “shred” materials like this?

[@JewelsFromVenus]

This is text straight from The Farmers Almanac being read out loud

[@simplebeing7583]

@@Mtkrvi06 haha rightly said

[@theslipperking]

He makes videos as well as he composts!

[@nancyvanhull6686]

I love how you simply explain the topic and don't go on and on with useless information (which wastes my time) like so many other garden pages do. Thank you!!!

[@GrowVeg]

Worms won't enter compost when it heats up. However, after the initial hot phase (which you may repeat a few times by turning the heap and mixing in some more greens as described in the video), the compost is then usually left to mature and that's when worms can come in and finish the job. Worm casts are a particularly valuable addition to the compost as they're very nutrient rich for plants.

[@Loganb611]

i feel like this is everything I need to know about compost and i only had to watch once. Nicely done

[@surinderjitkular5569]

Logan Brunson *

[@aWicketWolf]

You need to study red wigglers.

[@kirubashankar9200]

One of the best videos on composting. Thank you for the easy to understand, crisp explanation.

[@GrowVeg]

Kiruba Shankar Thanks Kiruba - we're glad you found the video useful.

[@RickMusick]

This answered my question as to why my compost was not breaking down. I have way too much grass, and not enough brown. Thank you for this information.

[@jamesward2406]

To anyone struggling to find enough browns, you can use your junk mail, newspapers, and cardboard waste as a source of carbon. I've been shredding my paper and cardboard waste for a few years and using it in my compost instead of sending it to the recycling center. Just don't use glossy paper and it will work just fine.

[@crmbaker]

Sir, I have watched many videos concerning composting. Some were sooo cosmic I felt I needed a PhD in mathematics. I was ready to end my quest/desire to compost until I saw your video. You didn't bore us with useless chatter or complicated formulas. You stuck to the basics in layman terms. I am starting my compost TODAY. I thank you very much! 🍠🍌🥔🍞🍂🗞💧🌬🤗

[@GrowVeg]

That's so great to hear. Enjoy your composting - it's so satisfying, it really is.

[@finchy4205]

Best composting video i have ever seen in my life

[@sabrehohoho7681]

Yes, same with me

[@genericuser2339]

Same. Saved for future reference.

[@ashdav9980]

Simple and clear, rich to the point.

[@nicolai75]

Great video - lots of people get too confusing with the ratios and the C:N relation... amazing GrowVeg

[@lukibenjamin741]

I start gardening couple weeks ago. this is completely new world to me. you answer perfectly why my compost is so gross and smell. oh my God, will fix the problem today. bless you. thank you so much.

[@GrowVeg]

So pleased the video was of use to you.

[@lukibenjamin741]

@@GrowVeg indeed, very useful.

[@alfonsoespinosa8643]

Finally a clear explanation of what I need to put in my compost pile that I can understand. Thanks very much!

[@MethosCRC]

Best video on balancing compost. Short, direct, tips, warnings, it has all. Thanks.

[@Flower36K]

Thank you for this enlightening video. I didn't realize you could use cardboard for the brown matter. I've been sending all my paper egg cartons and cereal boxes, etc. to the recycling depot. It will now get added to my compost!

[@johnswan6759]

Have watched multitudes of vids on composting and have to say you are streets ahead of them all. Straight lines and clarity on how to do it. Simple and concice. Thank you

[@dr.greenthumb6535]

Very nicely done! i dig a compost pit and fill it with my leaves during fall, with wood chips, some bagged grass clipping from mowing, blood meal, bunny poop, and sprinkle in kelp meal among the layers. i placed 2 PVC pipes and drilled holes in them for aeration. my plants love this recipe. I have 200+ tomatoes on just one of my plants this year. This is really the basis for the best veg garden hands down in my opinion! start packin' your freezer, and happy gardening!

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks for this idea. Sounds like it's working a treat on your tomatoes!

[@TheJarmin11]

Really good, thank you. Helpful, clear, simple and informative.

[@growingdaniel]

I didn't even have audio (because of my network) and the video was still easy to follow! I can see you put a lot of effort into filming and editing to make this, and I as a an inexperienced and fairly new maker of compost very much appreciate the straightforward, in-depth, and simplistic approach you shared with us. Great video!

[@ralphferges4740]

Straight forward, factual, simple to understand Thanks!

[@sureshbushan]

After watching so many videos about composting, I can rate this as the best about the basics....

[@marydebbarma3864]

One of the best compose techniques ever. Thanks for sharing

[@johnnewton1540]

Thanks for a clear and simple explanation after being somewhat overwhelmed working out what is carbon and what is Nitrogen. Alas, at last a 'light-bulb' moment.

[@Valarium1]

Very helpful!....short, sweet, simple and easy to follow. I wish more videos were like this.... *high five*

[@GrowVeg]

High five back at yer!

[@reevox]

Thank you for the video. I am the new caretaker for the house I live in and the compost pile just isn't "cooking". Thanks to your video, I now see/realize there is too much green and too much moisture and not enough brown material nor enough oxygen - smells too. Off to work the compost heap!

[@maedenton5436]

Thank you for the compost information. I plan to try have not started yet.

[@jerrygatton1263]

Thank you for this easy to understand video on composting.

[@klauskarolina]

Best compost guide ever! So simple and clear ♥️

[@davidclark5794]

Thank you for your very educational video. I always ask students in my gardening classes "how many people compost?"...and then "how many people are successful at composting?"...many hands inevitably go down. ...Well Done!!!

[@GrowVeg]

david clark Thanks for the comment - we've all been there, which is why we put this video together to share what really works!

[@ernestobalcita2340]

GrowVeg .

[@HaltWhoGoesThere]

Good thing I watched this. I was just about to cut down an evergreen bush I have and put it in my compost!

[@JayMartin]

You cover the basics of composting very well. Great video.

[@arnoldanthony3909]

saw many videos but this is the best knowledgeble video on youtube regarding compost tanks a lot sir u r a great inspiration

[@GrowVeg]

Glad you found it useful!

[@GrowVeg]

So glad you found the video useful!

[@GrowVeg]

The hotter compost gets, the better it decomposes and when it's very hot it will sterilize the soil to kill off weed seeds. The main problem with heat is that it dries out the pile and drives out worms. For that reason, it's normal to site the heat in shade in hot climates and to cover it and check it regularly for moisture content, adding water if required.

[@harleenkaur168]

GrowVeg I think I got answer to my query

[@harleenkaur168]

GrowVeg Very useful video

[@NathanielVargas]

I live in a humid environment (Florida) so would you recommend watering it more often than not? It’s starting to be 100° almost every day. Also, how often would I have to turn the pile if it’s this hot?

[@Susan.Lewis.]

An excellent description of what I need to do. Thank you.

[@MethosCRC]

I'm about to start building my first compost tumbler. Thanks for the info about grass clippings as green material.

[@milkymoodavis6449]

Finally someone has explained in detail how to be successful at composting! Wish I would have watched your video first. Thanks!

[@EarlyMist]

Awesome! Best vid I've seen for a while on Composting...because as you explain it...the footage shows it. Makes it far more interactive than just reading things

[@sonjagroenewaldt6288]

The explanation was very good in the presentation format . To have a hearing problem the format help me to understand it better. Keep the good work!

[@eliev7844]

Nice and clear instructions. Thank you for taking the time to do it.

[@johnmascarenhas7191]

The best video on composting so far, simple and easy to understand, thanks a lot.

[@FairylandCottage]

Best video out there on composting!

[@កសិបៃតង]

Good lesson about how to make compost Thank you for sharing

[@stopanim1]

Great video, I have had a lot of luck using an old trampoline mat because of the holes and strength, works perfect for drainage while allowing moisture and sun to enter.

[@simplebeing7583]

concise and to the point easy to understand video. Thank you.

[@gardencomposters2836]

Some very good tips in this video on how to get the best compost out of the ingredients. I didn't realize how important it is to have the right mix of greens and browns. I know there are things you shouldn't put in the compost but this added to my education. Thanks.

[@shaalkuma5520]

😊

[@shaalkuma5520]

Uuu

[@shaalkuma5520]

😊

[@shaalkuma5520]

U

[@uchibauki2515]

Very nice explanation no need to burying the kitchen scraps in the bin as long as they are well mixed with grass clippings and others! Thanks 😊

[@aidensingh6588]

First Class Presentation Thank You

[@Nipsirch]

Great SHORT video with a great explanation. Thank you

[@MohdSafarHasim]

This is the best video on composting. Very infornative and well researched. I have subscribed to your channel. Tq.

[@mitramoso]

this answers all my questions about composting with clarity. The very best I have found after a long search. Thank you.

[@GrowVeg]

The problem with grass clippings is that if they're added all at once they can make a smelly matted layer which doesn't decompose well. Any smelly compost is giving off ammonia from anaerobic decomposition (ie without enough air) which is slower and results in less good compost. Perhaps you are mixing your pile adequately to prevent this happening?

[@DLCShark]

I like how you broke it down. I will be building my compost pile this weekend and I hope for success.

[@koilzimbabwe]

Thanks for getting to the point right away. Some other videos spent forever telling why it’s good for the earth and some other BS. I just want swell compost not a lecture

[@GrowVeg]

Absolutely - making compost needn't be complicated!

[@klee88029]

Wow! I have been doing it All Wrong for a year! Thank you for making this video and teaching the correct methods.

[@PhillipHollocher]

Thanks for the info. I've been composting for a couple of years and now realize I don't have enough #browns in my compost.

[@HarashiKalou]

So did you have good or bad results with your method ?

[@lizangelo3773]

Yes 2-1 brown to green works

[@sallywillcock3960]

Excellent, simple advice thank you.

[@marysolari7371]

And if you also have California red earthworms to process the material, you get fantastic dark, crumbly soil, the quality of which is like fertilizer. Plants thrive in it!!!!

[@rawmark]

They don't need to be California Red Earthworms. All Red worms do an amazing job of composting.

[@grasssnaker2546]

Explained nicely and understandably

[@stinkytiger1416]

Thanks this vid was really helpful

[@tonylewis5672]

Best instructions I have seen, thank you

[@scidad3813]

Interesting video but if I hadn't been composting for the past 35 years I would be scared away by the very arduous management plan you display! I compost all kitchen waste, old plants, branches and leaves. Compost starter helps the leaves along and the branches require shredding but the rest goes to a separate pile and does well with very occasional mixing. Time management is a very important component of home gardening and the time spent weeding and tending the vegetables and fruit is better spent than micromanaging the compost pile. The successful compost pile can stand much neglect with very broad adherence to the 4 component rules and still be available for the next season. Would like to hear more from you on simplifying and speeding up the maintenance of a successful compost pile.

[@jantt2193]

I think the video is meant as a guide - nothing is laid down in stone. But for amateurs, this is a very good compost "Plan" which after time will become second nature. Your last request is self-explanatory in the clip because having done it a few times you will get quicker at it...

[@iangeorgehardwick6882]

Scidad3. Ask all the close neighbours for materials too. Then when you have enough. Start building the compost heap using the materials by putting them into different layers. Greens. Brown's. Greens. Brown's etc. Until it's full to the Top. If you make a heap. Say 4 to 5 feet square. (Being the same width and height). During the course of building it. After 3 to 4 layers are in place. Use the watering can to spread Urine over the materials. That has already been collected and stood for a while. Then after another 4 layers. Do the same. Spread the Urine evenly over the materials. Cover it up. To keep the heat in. So a Polythene sheet weighted down by some old carpet. Then stones. Or bricks. If you have collected the materials and Layered and mixed them well enough. In about four months it'll of reduced in height. By about half its size. In another two months it'll of been reduced again and it'll of then changed to fine compost. Without the need to ever have any of the materials pulled out and remixed.

[@carmenslee6234]

A very good explanation. Thank you!

[@yes350yes]

Veggie can most certainly go into compost but being a green keep a limit on that. Just like in worm composting you need a good balance greens and browns, more browns than greens.

[@GrowVeg]

Stockpiling good 'browns' is the hardest part for most gardeners. Apart from shredded cardboard, I usually keep bush and tree trimmings and then shred them to add. Another approach is to find someone near you with a small pet like a rabbit or guinea pig. They'll be happy to give you the used sawdust and hay bedding.

[@MPhoto04742]

if you have a home crosscut shredder that is the best way to shred cardboard and paper.

[@kevincappis2834]

Indeed. crosscut shredded paper works great.

[@gipsi2001]

What can I say: it's short sharp and snappy, best composting video. Thanks

[@hungarianredhead2011]

The suggested ratio of carbon and nitrogen is 30:1, carbon being 30, and nitrogen being 1. In your video you made a mistake of putting the "Greens" under the 30 ratio, and the "Browns" under the 1 ratio, which is completely wrong. It should be reversed, since the "Browns" are having the high carbon content as opposed to the "Greens", that are the high nitrogen content material. Otherwise good video.

[@banyanamonyena-parsons3606]

Nice and simply,love it

[@anthonysinclair5721]

super informative! : )

[@patriciajames6838]

Yes it is the best, didn't have to yawn, it was straight to the point. I find wetting cardboard and paper beforehand helps me shred it.

[@j.mcneese2930]

Thank you so much for this video 📹👍👏👏 🍉🍅🍆🍓🍇🍊🍌🍍🍎🌽🍄🍏🍒🍐🍋🍈 Awesome information!

[@natbugrock]

Thank you 🙏 thank you 🙏 . Simple and easy .

[@markwelsch1619]

You say don't put weeds in with seeds. Doesn't a compost pile heat up enough to kill the seeds?

[@GrowVeg]

It does depend. A very hot, efficient compost heap will certainly kill weed seeds. But a lot of compost heaps decompose much slower and cooler, and particularly around the edges, so that's why we advise not to include weed seeds. But certainly if your pile gets very hot then yes, they could be added.

[@markwelsch1619]

Thank you!

[@lucyw.mcmellan7274]

Thank you for the video. I just started composting today, and your video is extremely helpful.

[@RaghavendraRajadhyaksha]

Can shredded news paper be added as brown material in compost

[@GrowVeg]

Yes, indeed it can.

[@geradebowden3293]

Raghavendra Rajadhyaksha no shiny paper.

[@mrgallbladder]

Isn't the ink in the newspaper toxic?

[@farahnaz2812]

Raghavendra Rajadhyaksha yes

[@iangeorgehardwick6882]

Along with. Cardboard Boxes. Autumn Leaves. Sawdust.

[@christ4edwoods207]

Thanks for the Information. I was mixing , market vegetables ,dead grass and over wetting.

[@LifesVoyager]

Extra source of nitrogen - pee on it.

[@anastasiaofficial95]

really good actually! :P

[@anmllvr234]

haha

[@LifesVoyager]

Ashley235 why do you laugh? Urine is a very useful addition to compost, adding liquid and nitrogen in the form of urea : CO(NH2)2 . Try it.

[@anmllvr234]

Tristan Cooper haha I just may try that

[@LifesVoyager]

It is particularly worthwhile in a dry climate. I taught this idea in Malawi - the guys were impressed at how good the compost was.

[@ok-lr7hp]

Great video for a beginner like me. Watch alot of videos. Yours is the best on KZbin.

[@Ultimatefitness360]

Add cow dung to increase ur speed of composting and higher nutrition

[@collinwadham6582]

Excellent and straight to the real points. Good stuff.

[@hosseinabadi8573]

This is like gardening porn, I love it.

[@someniceguyon]

I was going to watch multiple videos and get the basic idea from all of them. Turns out, this was the first and only one I needed. Great video, thank you for sharing!

[@MoonSpinners]

Fantastic video. Simple, understandable, straight forward guide, which is invaluable for me. Thank you.

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks. The compost bins came from Recycle Works and are excellent as you can easily remove the sides at the front or between bins when turning the heaps. They're also available from other UK suppliers too.

[@Mumumama205]

Excellent, straight to the point informative video! Thank you so much

[@generalredneck6998]

I always throw bark from wood I split for my wood stove into my compost and corn stalks from nearby corn fields into my compost too for brown materials and just open up my compost tumbler when it rains to water it, works pretty letting the rain water your compost for you

[@shirleywong4333]

love ur voice its soothing i fell sleep listening to ur video

[@raymundohernandez2201]

Very good explanation thank you hi from California

[@joanmacleod1362]

Great video. Short and to the point

[@goodjun]

Thank you, very clear illustration and explanation.

[@jaleesagriffin6733]

Funny. I'm watching this video for school and it was posted on the day I was born!

[@GrowVeg]

Oh wow - that's incredible! I hope you enjoy gardening. :-)

[@Carvalho0410]

Thank you for the video. Found it very informative, especially since I am new to home gardening.

[@thebarnyard5633]

Proper explanation! Thanks man!

[@nancyhon406]

Easy to follow instructions for composting. thanks

[@yogaofelements1402]

Nicely done! I'm adding your video as a resource to mine. I appreciate your insights!

[@madhvi15]

Great video ! I use a hand made wire mesh cylindrical bin like container And layer it green -yellow - soil( brown) . I feel newspaper works well in place of soil too . In summer in India ( 42 deg celcius) a 3-5 feet high wire mesh open air bin can be ready with great compost in as little as 3-4 weeks We often add raw jaggery and earthworms.

[@GrowVeg]

Wow - that's incredibly fast composting!

[@Feeding-Stray-Cats]

I have wondered to dozens of websites, they are divided with 2 different opinions about choosing the best C/N ratio for making the best thing to happen.. one is (25/1 to 30/1) the other is (30/1 to 40/1)... so we'd best to choose an area that both opinions agreeing each other.. which is 30/1. perfect condition to be inhabited by lovely decomposer microorganisms! which is also the perfect same formula (the same C/N ratio) to make Perfect well balance Food for Worm Composting!.. Hope i'm also earning good karmas for sharing this golden information! Peace be upon you all! :)

[@garyhovey9305]

Thanks for outlining the process so clearly. My compost heap is still not warming up so I’ll try to make some adjustments