Why Your Compost Pile is Taking Forever to Break Down (And How to Fix It!)

If you’ve been struggling with composting, this video is here to set you on the right path. I’ll walk you through simple, effective composting methods so you can easily make compost at home. From traditional organic composting to DIY solutions like compost bins from pallets, I cover the basics and golden rules. Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned gardener, this guide will help you understand the process and choose the method that works best for you.
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[@simplifygardening]

Want to go in-depth on composting? Check out my book Composting Masterclass. www.amazon.com/Tony-ONeill/e/B09Z79VFRB/ref=aufs_dp_fta_dsk

[@rollyvilla6888]

What temp do you maintain?

[@123munter]

Brilliant book, at times I feel I'm doing a university course but brilliant :)

[@truth3358]

Unless you want rats don’t add food

[@TonyYouens]

Just bought it 👍🏻

[@sandieblack4860]

Love the video. I am a compost maker from way back and have being building my own compost heaps for many years. I am strongly in favour of not wasting anything if I can help it and that goes for weeds, vegetable scraps, leaves etc., At present I have 8 compost heaps, bins and barrels in my garden and I still don't have enough of the finished product for my needs. I have just finished "harvesting" one of my bigger bins, (it started out it's life as a rabbit cage) it measure roughly 8 feet long 4 feet wide and roughly 3 feet high. Unfortunately, due to ill health I was unable to turn this pile so it pretty much got left to decompose on it's own. When I uncovered the top layer, some of which was still not broken down, I found the underneath layer to be a fine mixture of beautiful, rich soil ready to start my seeds in, use as mulch or add to my raised beds to top them up ready for the coming growing season. The top layer that still needed to be broken down and a few odds and ends I found in the compost as I harvested it, just went into my next bin and will decompose along with the newer stuff I am putting in it. As a matter of fact that bin is almost full and as I will be unable to turn that one I am leaving it to do it's own thing, so, while that is happening, I sprinkled a couple of inches of finished compost on top and planted a few butternut squash seeds in there to see how well they will do. I did a similar thing with a barrel that I had been using to put most of my household scraps in, I added a layer of rotting leaves every now and then and topped it off also with a couple of inches of finished compost, I now have a great crop of potatoes growing in it, come fall when I harvest the potatoes the bin will be emptied into one of the raised beds and put under a layer of leaves, grass or straw or maybe a combination of all three. Then that bed will be all ready for planting up next year. So for anyone out there who has never tried composting for themselves I would certainly urge them to give it a go, it is the ultimate form of recycling. (Sorry for the long post but you just opened up my pet subject haha) Anyway, take care and stay safe. Sandie from Ontario Canada.

[@simplifygardening]

Wow thats great Sandie like you i qish to reusevas much garden waste as possible and making my own is better for the garden

[@dave710]

Nice one mate!

[@dano956]

Finally! The carbon to nitrogen ratio explained properly, I have watched many videos and they all give different ratios ( 50/50, 5:1, 5:3, 30:1) no one ever talks about the content of each ingredient. It all makes sense now. Thanks so much

[@simplifygardening]

Glad it was helpful Danny. this is the problem I think. A lot of people here the ratios and regurgitate them without really understanding them thats why I made this video

[@tbluemel]

Tony, I am almost finished reading your fantastic book, "COMPOSTING MASTERCLASS" and it is absolutely the best book on ALL kinds of composting I have ever read!!! Sooo comprehensive!!! Thank you for all the time, research and hard work you did to write it! Anyone interested in composting will surely get an amazing education from your book!!!

[@simplifygardening]

Thank you so much Thom I’m so glad you enjoyed it

[@tbluemel]

@@simplifygardening It is a masterpiece, Tony! Can't wait for your next book!

[@simplifygardening]

You know your first vegetable garden is out right?

[@tbluemel]

@@simplifygardening I do now, though I am well past my first garden. My First Garden is next on my list! You know your KZbin channel is also a masterpiece. I have enjoyed and learned from it for years. Tony, you are truly a gift to serious gardeners!

[@growsoilbiology]

Cheers for the great video, love your bay system! I only have a small space on my allotment for composting. I use a "holding area" whilst collecting materials to start a batch of compost. I then rot it down using the Berkley compost method, which gives a finished pile in 14-18 days. Making fast batches of compost like this feeds my 300 square metre no dig beds just fine. With this system the pile does not shrink down, another bonus! A carbon : nitrogen ratio of 25-30:1 makes great bacterial dominant compost and 30-35:1 makes great fungal dominant compost. If you can't be bothered with working out precise ratios try going volumetric using say buckets, or barrows; browns : greens at ratio 2:1 generally works for the lazy gardener. Hope this helps someone out who: doesn't have much space, needs a lot of compost (fast) and doesn't enjoy maths!!

[@simplifygardening]

Excellents advice. Thanks for putting your knowledge here for everyone to benefit 😉👍

[@stepheneastwood4524]

I also use the Berkeley method these days. A couple of weeks of effort (in terms of turning the pile/heap every other day), and it's almost finished. As for ratios, I tend to go 50/50 with greens and browns, depending on the time of year and what's available, although our allotment has started to get regular finely-ground woodchip deliveries, which certainly helps with browns during the summer.

[@stepheneastwood4524]

NB I really don't think those ratio charts are useful to anyone, at all, let alone anyone new to composting. They're baffling, intimidating, and ultimately irrelevant. Aim for roughly half brown and half green (based on volume alone), chuck it all in, mix it up, add some water, and composting will happen regardless. If you want it faster, keep mixing/turning/flipping the pile every week or so. If you're not in a rush, just leave it for a six months, turn it once, and then it should be done a few months later. Oh, and buy some composting worms online and add them to the pile too. Works wonders.

[@nancyhaney4477]

Best explanation of greens and browns I've ever seen. Thank you.

[@simplifygardening]

Thank you Nancy i am glad you found value in the video

[@janicejurgensen2122]

I have watched this tutorial before and my compost is very successful because I literally used all of your advice and now have the pleasure of adding it to my beds and knowing that I have healthier food for my family!! Thank you so very much, it’s brilliant!

[@simplifygardening]

So glad your now making your own quality compost. Great job :)

[@budj13]

Excellent video! You are clearly a very analytical guy and your rigor in composting is impressive. Your information and principles are the key and every person has to find their own way that works in their situation. I mow a very large lawn and collect a lot of grass during the summer months. I also live under a lot of fir trees so I collect a LOT of fir needles and small fir seed cones. I generate about a cubic yard a month for 6 months, so bins are not practical for me. I have a nice hidden field behind my workshop and I keep two large piles there-- one with fresh content and one with nearly finished compost. I use a tractor with a loader bucket to turn the piles and pile them high. It works great. The second pile gets moved into the garden each spring-- all by shovel and wheelbarrow at that point.

[@simplifygardening]

Perfect that’s what it’s all about

[@joyfulstand7398]

I'm in hot desert area of southern CA. I just make a pile 3 feet high 4 feet wide on the ground, about 3 feet next to my favorite tree (pine or large grapefruit). I turn it 1-2 x per week with a shovel and hose it down with water after layering kitchen scraps and old brown leaves in the garden. Thank you for the detailed info it helps. I stopped covering with tarp becuz the tarps deteriorated in the hot summers, and the fibers (sometimes plastic) had to be picked out of the compost. Now I leave it uncovered. No rat or rodent problems becuz it's piled high and hot. Away from house so no smell problems. My tree next to the compost loves it's proximity, and thrives with the extra watering & soil near it. Thankyou kind sir!

[@stevenbuck4090]

I never thought I'd get pumped for making dirt, but I'm ready to go make some compost! 🤘

[@simplifygardening]

Perfect wait until you pull your first batch

[@karenlatham4053]

What's really a shocking is whenever you get all excited about seeing worms in your compost... Who da thunk an old lady would get excited about worms.

[@shirleycastle5170]

Your not just a pretty face, you sure know what your talking about. I'm always learning from your videos.

[@simplifygardening]

Lol thanks Shirley

[@ollie2244]

When I hear a Welshman talking about gardening I know I can trust him.

[@simplifygardening]

Hey Oliver. :) Thanks Pal. Being a firefighter too im a pillar of the community lol Only joking

[@MonkesReturn42069]

@@simplifygardening Thank you so much for not only your contributions to your community, but across the world!

[@fionadt8745]

ThatGuy Ollie I was just thinking why are all the compost and gardening videos I have just watched been with welsh guys I’m not following any set people yet so it’s not even the same few people in different videos

[@margipovey]

Could Listen to him all day ! 😊

[@jeffreybonell4641]

I was wondering what that accent was! thanks

[@norwichhouse]

Thank you Tony for a great video. I am lucky - with added hard work - in that I have the means to make about 20 cubic yards of compost a year in two systems. I have nearly half an acre of bracken, nettles, grass etc. which I strim off in summer when it can get up to head height. This is piled up in a big heap which is gradually moved along to keep the system active. This is used on the no-dig vegetables and in the garden where needed. For kitchen waste and smaller waste I have four 900 litre bins where the compost starts at number one and comes out for use from number four. This is used for potting etc. I also have two 70 litre bins that I use for kitchen waste with added greens. This is fed into the first 900 litre bin when full. Complicated I know, but it works for me. Just a word of warning bracken spores from mid-august to mid-september and the spores are decidedly bad for your health so steer clear during that time. I have a few poor quality - definitely not up to your standard - videos on my channel where I show the compost systems. One other thing I forgot my wife and daughter work from home producing confidential material so I get a large amount of shredded paper which alll goes into the system.

[@simplifygardening]

That is brilliant Malcom and its only complicated if you dont know what your doing, makes no difference if no one else can follow as long as you know and can churn out high quality compost

[@SuzyTopAgent]

My husband and I compost, but we just throw things in a couple tubs, but after watching this video I now learned how to have it break down quicker. 👍Thanks

[@70washington]

Growing up we had a compost hole next to a pie cherry tree....that tree produced tons of cherries every year as a bonus along with the use of the compost.

[@simplifygardening]

All the compost run off was feeding the cherries each year

[@petersmith425_]

Just getting into gardening and propogation. Composting seemed like a logical next step. This video was so informative, literally going through it from start to finish. Excellent work putting this together. You’re an excellent communicator / instructor. Thank you from North Carolina.

[@thecapoeiristauk]

First time composting after watching your video and it is steaming! I'm so excited and I talk about it to anyone who will listen :)

[@simplifygardening]

Thats awesome. I am so glad my video has helped you to get it hot and working for you. Wont be long your going to be growing in your own home made compost. Great job and well done :)

[@julesmuhammad5836]

The same here 😁

[@leowaisanen1672]

I built three 8x8 ft. bins and mostly filled with leaves. I was also able to haul several tons of rotting wood from my woods to a staging area near the garden. I have a TO 30 Ferguson that is a great help and makes what some may call work a whole lot of fun. Thanks for the great vid Tony. regards, L

[@simplifygardening]

Very nice Leo and the Ferguson will make light work of it

[@thomascallaghan5988]

I’ve just put my pallets for the compost bins in the allotment,it’s great that you have shared this,it gives me more info.thanks for your time and generosity

[@simplifygardening]

Your welcome Thomas and glad the info is of use to you

[@rosebloodwater13]

I love when you call them delek style bins and it's funny because you're not wrong.

[@wayneu1233]

This is the most useful composting video I've yet seen. Thank you.

[@simplifygardening]

Thanks Wayne. I really appreciate that :)

[@plantsoverpills1643]

You have really put the art of composting into a relatable perspective. Thank-you.

[@simplifygardening]

Thanks I am glad you found value in the video :)

[@mammacass5311]

This is a great video!! The most comprehensive and easy to understand that I’ve seen!! Thank you Tony

[@voodoomotion5855]

We only have 2 dalek style bins, and find if we blend the grass cuttings into existing compost each time we empty the mower box, it composts better. It's probably more work but seems a good way to aerate it, as sometimes the cuttings clump together if we simply chuck them in. When they aren't very full we often empty one into the other doing alternate layers of grass and compost, blending it as we go. I think microbes in the existing compost help

[@simplifygardening]

Adding nitrogen does heat it up

[@voodoomotion5855]

@@simplifygardening definitely, I couldn't believe the heat coming from a barrow of cuttings that were waiting to go in for couple days.

[@guymcgowen4823]

You have a better understanding of compost than most. I have not seen you other videos. I saw no mention here about trace elements being a very important part of your compost. Also you did mention to take off the plastics before composting. By using the Archaea composting microbes all plastics are reduced to elemental state. all toxins and pesticides are eradicated. eliminates any and all possible pathogens and parasites. 100% organic approved. Cheers!

[@rasserfrasser]

It's like making a cake. It's like making a frickin' cake. Brilliant Mr. Tony. Thank you so much for this video, I'm sure I'll watch it later as well.

[@heatherthomas7545]

This is hands down the best, most informative explanation I have seen anywhere. Had a bunch of Aha moments between this and your leaf mold video. Cannot thank you enough for taking the time to share your expertise. Time to go out to the bin!

[@simplifygardening]

Glad you enjoyed it Heather. Thats what my channel is about. helping people like you to understand why things work like they do

[@sheenalittle4246]

Thank you I’m a very very newbie gardener so your video has explained so much about compost for me that I can have a go

[@pattieaguilar]

I'm so excited I've learned sooo much from you. You take care to explain everything so clearly. I can't wait to get started. Thank you for taking the time to make these videos! I'm saving each one I waTch so I can use it for a reference when I need a little help. Happy gardening !!

[@mrgreen1633]

one of the best gardening advice I've seen

[@simplifygardening]

Sorry for the late reply. I have been unwell. Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@susanbrezina6112]

This was very helpful! I've started a compost bin for my garden in Corpus Christi, Texas and now I know it needs more carbon. I didn't know about adding cardboard. Thank you!

[@simplifygardening]

Glad it was helpful! Sorry for the late reply

[@marywaldmann2641]

Thank you so much for the 30:1 ratio explanation!

[@JJLewin1]

Thanks Tony, just started to make my own in 3 x 330 litre bins. The mix ratios are very helpful.

[@dave710]

AT LAST!!!!! Someone who knows what they are talking about - superb video - cheers mate!!!!!

[@laurafilip1491]

I just ordered a compost bin........I am excited and I hope I will make some compost.....for next year 😊. A very good educational video 😊😊

[@simplifygardening]

Best of luck!

[@christineparsons2384]

Never thought I would watch the whole video but it was so interesting that I did. Thank you. I never turn my compost but will from now on.

[@simplifygardening]

Hi Christine. I am glad you found it interesting. Sometimes its hard to pass over enough information and keep people watching at the same time. a recent study shows the human race on youtube has an 8 second attention span. even goldfish have 9 seconds lol :)

[@ednalcollie6044]

Thank you for such a clear understanding of how to get away from making or producing compos

[@brooklyngiraffe]

Thank you for this very informative and clear explanation about composting. Your gardens are beautiful and I learned so much. I am composting in a small bin on my tiny balcony in New York City and will change the ratio of browns and greens based on the table. I can’t wait to see how it turns out. Thank you!

[@simplifygardening]

You are so welcome!

[@roberthaynie5957]

Thank you for the fine detail and explanations of why you provided! I've tried composting before with little success because I broke almost everyone of the cardinal rules you went over in the video. I think I can do it much better now that I have the understanding of why to do or not to do.

[@weirdheathersgarden]

Making compost is something that fascinates me, so this was really interesting.

[@simplifygardening]

Glad its been of interest to you. Thanks for commenting 😁👍

[@joanweightman2275]

Thank you so much for this video. I run a Garden Gang with kids and this years has been really tough going for personal reasons, so the plot n GG have been neglected. I saw the other clip about 'not beating yourself up'. I have decided to be 'plastic free' by 1/1/20 and have been trying to get compost going...wiffy...now I know why. What a sound and sensible gardener you are. Thanks for the encouragement to carry on.

[@desertangel3093]

I've always found composting a bit intimidating but very interesting. Thank you for inspiring this amateur gardener to step out of her gardening comfort zone and just do it 😊

[@stepheneastwood4524]

It's actually dead easy once you get the hang of it. If you can spare the time to turn the heap every other day, I'd recommend the Berkeley Method of composting (loads of tutorials online, including KZbin). Near-finished compost within three weeks. I tried it earlier this year, and it works.

[@carlroberts4915]

Thanks for this, super informative, the table was really good and helped clarify my misunderstanding. I use a "Hotbin" which is really good (though more expensive) and speeds it all up (I think) but the principles are of course the same. I like the fact that you even ended with what to do with it when you've made it - real end to end help.

[@simplifygardening]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jamiewalker5216]

Ok..... now I know why my compost is taking so long to decompose. Thanks Tony for this information.

[@simplifygardening]

Glad it was of use Jamie 👍😁

[@juliahelland6488]

Thanks again for sharing! 💯

[@alexiswilliams4721]

Thanks for another great video Tony, much appreciation from up here in Gogledd Cymru. I've been experimenting with the 'lasagne method' where you layer greens and browns alternately and I have a cheap paper shredder in the garage to help with this because at this time of year there is an abundance of greens such as grass cuttings and flower prunings but not so much brown material. Dead leaves are not quite so readily available until autumn so old newspapers and cardboard shredded up are ideal. I turn the heap monthly to aerate it and don't seem to need to add water as there is plenty moisture in the greens from grass clippings and veg peels from the kitchen

[@simplifygardening]

Alexis exaclty the same here when i first build the heap i use lasagne methods too

[@OGgiraffeneck91]

Great information! Shout out from Kentucky

[@cameronbennett797]

That scarecrow scared the living s*** out of me

[@jason4617]

Same!

[@serenemountain6769]

i almost though he was going for the knife !

[@simplifygardening]

lol Sorry for the late reply

[@simplifygardening]

lol Sorry for the late reply

[@simplifygardening]

:) Sorry for the late reply

[@paulhathaway6292]

Wonderful video! Thanks mate!

[@christinecarpenter2365]

Love it! Such a comprehensive instructional. I’m excited to start composting!

[@simplifygardening]

That is brilliant Christine. I'm here to help motivate people into gardening and improving their soil quality and soil life

[@adminjjtrading8110]

Thank you so much for the valuable info on compost and potatoes. Excellent stuff.😊❤

[@simplifygardening]

Glad it was helpful! check out todays video on potatoes I think you will enjoy it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gmLVl2R8jdl8b9U

[@sergiosaenz859]

Thank you! Tremendously informative and well-paced!

[@simplifygardening]

You're very welcome! thanks and welcome to the channel

[@robolover2003]

With no doubts you Toni are one the best childs of Mother Nature. Keep going and be strong

[@simplifygardening]

Thanks Behnam :)

[@theelpydimension]

Very informative and detailed video, thank you. I appreciate knowing what's happening behind the curtain though I'll be doing more slow composting for the time being , but we'll see. Thanks for the help!

[@laurelweiner8]

Your chart really helped thank you for such a great video

[@nodiggitygardens9750]

So hard to explain c/n ratio to folk u did real well here man 👐

[@simplifygardening]

Thanks. It takes time to grasp but once u know its easy

[@mariacompayan7312]

Thanks for your informative video🙏. I learnt so much, added my little knowledge about composting😊

[@benjamingough7497]

Thank you for this channel, the work and effort you put into these videos is incredible. I am one of the people who has discovered gardening during the lockdown and your channel has been fantastic for information and inspiration. I've started a few containers for vegetables and I'm planning on starting a raised bed or two next spring. I'm looking to start composting to get me ready for this and I have a couple of questions for you; 1) Where did you get the C/N ratio charts in this video? 2) Do you have a rough guide on the volumes of compost produced for the raw materials used for a compost pile? eg. If you compost a metre cubed of material how much finished product would you expect to get? Thank you for the videos again, I think you may have missed your calling as a teacher!

[@simplifygardening]

Those charts I made up for the video, but the information was provided by various universities looking into the CN ratios

[@simplifygardening]

Compost usually breaks down to about 30% of what the original pile was.

[@ahmelmahay]

Tony you have a new subscriber from Ireland love your videos my friend

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

Nice one Tony! Very informative. More and more Tea Bags are becoming fully compostable as the plastic awareness builds. Steve

[@simplifygardening]

Thats gd news Steve hopefully all companies follow suit

[@marcw8428]

Thankyou for the most informative single video I have seen on this subject. I have one question… Re this video you said “But if we were adding wood chips and grass clippings then we would need roughly around 16 times more grass clippings in volume then we would wood chips.” Wood chips being 400:1 and grass clippings 1:25 I get a different answer🤔. I calculate you need 1.875 times more volume of wood chips to grass clippings to get a 30:1 ratio. I also calculated that you would get a 1:1 ratio if you added 16 times more grass clippings. However I’m new to all this, and would like to know if/what I’m missing. On that note thank you so much for your very informative videos, and I look forward to applying this knowledge this coming season.

[@gordonlowok549]

Well done Tony , so informative even to an old composter like me, keep up the good work..

[@simplifygardening]

Thanks Gordon. Glad you found it of interest

[@kirstenrip679]

Incredible garden!

[@simplifygardening]

Thanks Kristen I like it

[@fyrfytrdub]

I use free local resources to help build my pile. Used coffee grounds form coffee shops, horse manure and bedding, spent brewery grains, kitchen peelings from work. The more the merrier

[@simplifygardening]

Great stuff Al. always good to see fellow FIrefighters doing their bit :)

[@fyrfytrdub]

They eat. I compost 🤣

[@pauladexter6164]

Thank you for making it simple ! I am just starting my own allotment so this has really helped.

[@simplifygardening]

Thats awesome Paula. Your going to love that allotment. I have over 400 videos helping you to get the best results there so delve into the videos over the next few months and pick up some valuable tips along the way

[@keaco73]

That scarecrow is something else! Thanks for the video!

[@simplifygardening]

Cheers Keith, He is 7 years old this month :)

[@keaco73]

UK Here We Grow he looks great for his age. 👍 😁

[@simplifygardening]

Thanks Keith, hes only had 3 heads lol

[@mohamed33129]

You have an easy way to explain. I enjoyed the video very much. And I watched the potato video and it was really cool . Love from Egypt

[@simplifygardening]

Thanks glad you enjoyed the videos :)

[@SuryanamYoga]

Absolutely brilliant!

[@simplifygardening]

Thank you so much

[@maryphillips6470]

This is so helpful, thank you for sharing!

[@simplifygardening]

Thanks. Im glad you found it useful

[@rosaferreras2960]

Thanks sir for sharing your ideas...I love gardening so much....

[@simplifygardening]

Yeah me too. Glad yoy enjoyed it

[@sidneyeaston6927]

Fast compost can be made from anything that once lived. use any amount of browns no greens needed add them if you can get hold of them, save urine and water down 50 / 50 add half a cup of sugar per gallon and pour on inoculate with a sprinkle of finished compost. keep damp and turn every five or six days to let air in and excess ammonia out. works a treat.

[@simplifygardening]

Thanks Sidney. I have a follow up video on this in a week or two so stay tuned

[@cindyjean3208]

You are a great teacher!!!!! Becoming one of my favorites!!! 🇺🇸

[@gillpop]

I enjoyed that subtle Dr. Who reference at 13:58. I can’t be the only one who caught that.😏

[@simplifygardening]

A couple of ppl caught it. good spot :)

[@audiman2106]

This was very interesting. Made my first composter, using old pallets, last year. I have just been piling in the grass cuttings and garden waste. I will have to turn it and see how it is doing

[@simplifygardening]

Wonderful! thats what its all about Martin

[@vmcshannon]

I make my compost in a big black round ball called Bio-orb. I add material like you suggested. I also add rain water. I have a 5 gallon bucket on the corner of my shed. It fills when it rains. It’s right by my compost ball so I pour the rain water around in it. I also mix it, when I add new material, with a garden fork. I have the compost thermometer as well. Right now it’s almost full. I noticed the last time I added rain that it’s about ready to empty and use. I keep buckets to save compost materials to add. Love making compost. Thanks for the video.

[@simplifygardening]

Vi thats brill be in control of your garden

[@TimRoseOfficial]

Great video my friend, learn something new every day! Keep it up! :)

[@TomTom-df9ph]

Really good video, well put .....

[@simplifygardening]

Thanks Tom

[@andrewlim8350]

I was surprised I watched the entire 23 minutes of video. Your presentation is so captivating. I am puzzled about the chart. Usually the carbon / nitrogen ration has more carbon to nitrogen even for the greens. But your chart flipped it. Am I supposed to read 25 carbon to 1 nitrogen for hay instead of 25 nitrogen to 1 carbon?

[@simplifygardening]

Glad you enjoyed it Yes you need much more carbon over nitrogen, this is not a weight mind its parts as explained in the video. nitrogen is required but is the single reason why heaps turn anerobic. so carbon heaps with enough nitrogen will produce much better and faster

[@conniepr]

Oh my I love the idea of using pallets!

[@hungkiet7535]

Very informative,thank you.

[@anneslow2751]

You sound amazing. I'm a beginner and i have learnt loads. Thanks.

[@simplifygardening]

Thanks Beverley. I am glad you found it useful. Welcome tot he channel :)

[@GARDENER42]

"Recycled beer" is far better than water for adding to a too dry compost heap, as it contains loadsa nitrogen & other beneficial chemicals & will boost compost heap temperatures.

[@simplifygardening]

Not everyone has access to that. also for me its not an option as my son and I are celiacs and need a gluten free diet

[@ProfesserLuigi]

@@simplifygardening I think he was referring to urine.

[@helencronin4371]

@@ProfesserLuigi but he still doesn't have access to that... :)

[@georgewarnakulasuriya9606]

Very well explained. Breakdown is excellent.How good your presentation.Thanks and I want to follow you from Australia.

[@simplifygardening]

Awesome, thank you George. Great to have you here. Welcome to the channel

[@mikeharrington5593]

I am currently utilising bulk aggregate propylene bags as a kind of raised bed in a discreet corner. Not a pretty sight but when my Dalek composters have had about a year standing I then empty the contents into the bulk-bag where it is easier to turn over & aerate the content & finish its conversion into compost. It's a pity the bags are not open bottomed to the soil but they drain OK & worms & insects are also transferred over from the daleks. I add a couple of inches of soil over the top & first use after was for kale & spinach beet which was Ok though not spectacular. It's an experiment in progress mainly because of shortage of space & needing to empty full daleks to turn over/aerate. I have practiced cultivating sweet potato slips & will try them in the bags next year - maybe too late this year.

[@simplifygardening]

Yeah you might be too late for the sweet potatoes but its great that you managed to figure away out to deal with the space issue. and if its working there is nothing wrong with it at all

[@alycidon12]

Tony...Just picked up on your channel, BRILLIANT pal. Am into my 4th year of composting, got 3 daleks on the go. Year 1 and 2 GREAT got 430 litres of pure gold, BUT last year nothing...I put that down to a poor Winter and poorer Summer. Am persevering this year and strirred contents from last year and am adding to this now, hoping for a result..albeit next Spring. DONT think I am adding enough BROWNS, so will top up and see what transpires Thank you for this super video. Best regards, stay safe and happy gardening IAN (SHEFFIELD)

[@simplifygardening]

Ian get the mix right and once it works and you know what you did you will be able to replicate it time and again. Welcome to the channel

[@Yakthungma.Subhala3241]

Wow,I loved your idea about multple compost,thank you very much!!!!

[@simplifygardening]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jabeenbukhari4175]

Hi i am a beginner. I saw so many videos about compost but your video is amazing. You r doing great job . I got all the answers of my questions about compost . You are amazing thanks alot. Stay blessed n keep it up

[@simplifygardening]

Thanks very much Jabeen im really glad my content is answering those questions you have. Its exactly what my channel is here for

[@karenhensman4317]

I've noticed nobody has mention peeing on a compost which is a great activator. I have fantastic results doing this and my compost builds up a lot of heat. Sometimes it get's to hot to handle

[@Ed19601]

I do too. Didnt want to mention that

[@sarah140386]

Do you just fill a bucket ?

[@Ed19601]

@@sarah140386 not always, but on my good days yes!

[@rhomanmason8131]

I do too, when up the plot I pee into a bottle and then add to the compost pile and in return I get finnished compost quicker then anyone else on site happy days lol 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇧

[@Ed19601]

@@rhomanmason8131 ok, let's discuss 'humanure' next :-) , or maybe we better not

[@marksmith8663]

Thanks 👍 as I’m a new gardener that cleared up a lot of confusion

[@simplifygardening]

Glad it was helpful!

[@pauldavies5655]

i live near a large fishmongers ----- and during the winter i collect fish heads and tails from them for free --- which goes into my compost pile --along with chicken carcess / bones . never had a problem with rats but i do understand that they are a pest in some areas !

[@simplifygardening]

You are very lucky Paul

[@mikeharrington5593]

There must be plenty of cats nearby?

[@pauldavies5655]

@@mikeharrington5593 cats are way too lazy to dig more then a few inch down. as i have proved to myself by burying the fish heads /chickens etc in trench es in the actual garden itself !

[@garden_geek]

I just have two heaps on my side yard between a nectarine and a cherry tree. I turn them about once a week and feed them kitchen scraps almost every day and lawn clippings every 1-2 weeks. Water every few days. No tarp/cover. I’d love some tumblers but can’t justify spending $100+ on one. I plan to build a 3-bay system eventually. Liked and subscribed, by the way. 😊👍

[@simplifygardening]

Hey J E yeah its much cheaper to build your own. Mine were built out of pallets. Welcome to the channel and thanks for your comment. Tony

[@townsendstephen]

Excellent vlog.101 on composting.i thought i knew a lot about it but have learnt a lot. Loved your beautiful sit bins. Going to copy

[@simplifygardening]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@patriciafianu4707]

Thanks a lot

[@avrellfrancis6785]

Thanks again Tony i am learning a lot from you good job you inspiring us.

[@simplifygardening]

Glad to hear it

[@ChilliChump]

great video Tony. p.s. chickens are omnivores 😉

[@simplifygardening]

Yeah I know ;) lol but its creative choice lol

[@kirkmcgill5185]

Not my cat

[@katsohal]

Thanks so much for the info about the ratio between green and brown, I was looking at volume, as you pointed out, incorrectly!

[@JewelsFromVenus]

I am soo soo glad to have found your channel..Just subscribed so I will never lose you

[@simplifygardening]

Thanks for the sub! welcome to the channel. I hope you continue to enjoy my content :)

[@erikmilburn51]

Great video...thanks...very specific,but simple to follow.

[@simplifygardening]

Glad it was helpful!

[@PSGilmore1892]

Brillant information , Thank you so much for a clear description of Composting From Ireland

[@simplifygardening]

Glad to help

[@evejohn5732]

Excellent!

[@DonKeybals]

Half of your chart is backwards. Example: Coffee grounds should be 20:1 C/N ratio not 1:20

[@simplifygardening]

Hi Don. SHHHHHH good spot though mate. It was done for a reason, so far your the only one to notice which is good. You will see why in a few months, but keep that to yourself it might just help you out

[@johnsonDonna]

Love your video but your answer is confusing, sorry.

[@briimarie2218]

So when do we find out why you made the coffee ratio backwards??