I'm going green, anyone help with home composting?

Question

I got compost bin but where do i start.

Any advice appreciated.

Answer 1

Good for you! I have three piles in a 4X12-foot compost area into which I put anything that does not contain protein. I add eggshells, coffee grounds, tea bags, fruit and veggie peels, grass, leaves, etc. I water occasionally to keep the heat and bacteria active and turn it bottom to top every few weeks, starting with the first (newest) pile and work it over to the next, keeping a "chain" of compost piles going. By the time the pile is at the end of the chain, the base of that last pile is ready to put back in the garden. A rule of thumb I have experienced is that the pile itself needs to be a minimum of 3X3 feet to produce enough heat to decompose rapidly.
Have fun. Between composting and recycling, you'll love how much less trash you have to take out to the curb.

Answer 2

Don't put grass cuttings, or weeds in the compost bin. Grass cuttings should be left elsewhere to mulch down, but they take a very long time. And weeds have seeds, which can last for years, so as soon as you use the compost they come back. The idea of a compost bin is for it generate a lot of heat to kill weeds etc, but home composters rarely do this.

Put in all other garden cuttings, food scraps (vegetables) and peelings. Obviously the smaller the scraps are the quicker they break down. It should take about 12 months for the bottom of the heap to be good compost. You could also think about a worm bin, that will produce a usable compost a lot quicker.

Answer 3

You CAN put grass cuttings in your compost bin, but limit it to a layer no more than 2 inches (50 cm) deep. If you exceed this, it will turn into liquid mush. Alternate this with layers of kitchen vegetable waste, topsoil (if you have any to spare), newspaper (a few sheets spread out) and dead plant material. Avoid too much woody material, as thick twigs will take years to break down. Also avoid weed flowerheads as they may produce seeds in the new compost. You can use leaves in autumn but they may take up to two years to break down. Do NOT put diseased plant cuttings in.

Answer 4

reliable for you! in case you very own the domicile, insulate the attic as much as you have got the money for, improve the domicile windows in the event that they don't seem to be thermopanes, installation water saving showerheads (domicile Depot has a large one for under approximately $5, stated as the "impressive head".) and consider getting cleansing products with fewer guy-made chemical ingredients. Vinegar and soda have many makes use of and are much less costly and robust for the planet. turn down the temperature on your water heater. Use a collection-back on the domicile heating device, and set it down yet another 5F at evening or once you're away. It would not take "greater potential" to warmth it back up, and you save for each degree cooler you are able to cope with. Unplug, or change off the potential strips on issues that draw potential even while they are off, like maximum television's. timber planted heavily around the domicile will make it much less complicated to kick back and warmth. wood that shade the domicile shrink cooling expenses plenty. Use heavy drapes, window quilts or pleated multi-cellular blinds on domicile windows. back, if it is your very own residence...while furnace replace time comes, get the foremost unit you are able to.

Answer 5

start by putting in grass cuttings, fruit and veg peelings, tea bags, egg shells and dead flowers and plants anything like that, but dont put anything in that hs been cooked!! apparantly male wee is also good for it so get ur other half to pee in it when he needs to go..this will save on water as you wont be flushing the loo as often, but dont use your wee as it is too acidic...........you can thank this morning for that little gem lol
good on you hope it all turns out well x

Answer 6

http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/sw_soil_improvement/article/0,2029,DIY_14370_2270566,00.html