I love your channel. You have a very charming personality. Your enthusiasm and passion for gardening clearly shines through and always gets me in the mood to get out there and try things out. I've been growing tomatoes, cucumbers, spinach, lettuce, carrots, peppers, strawberries, beans and even melons which I couldn't have done without inspiring people like you. So thank you very much for being such an inspiration. Keep up the good work.
two months ago me and my girlfiriend moved into my grandmothers cottage and we love it here a week ago she built a compost from old pallets and its starting to get really nice I'm 26 and I'm so proud of myself that I realized that moving out from the city is the way moving forward nice video by the way, I like your channel
We keep a small 2 gallon composter bin on our apartment patio and put clippings from when the complex landscapes (grass clippings and dead leaves), kitchen scraps, and coffee grounds. We put broken up egg shells and minced avocado peels in there too. Every couple days I'll shake the bin to toss the compost inside to get it aerated. The egg shells work wonders for getting peppers to fruit because of all the calcium in them. We currently have 5 medium sized potted pepper plants and a roma tomato plant that are fruiting.
A really good idea to have that soil thermometer. Fine tuning the temp can speed the process up even faster. Even if you're not in s super hurry, just observing the temp changes as the biology rises and falls and as the pile is turned over makes for a fantastic lesson that will never fade, along with feeling the spongy pile as you construct it, adding in the fresh manure on a spring day, watching it turn dark dark brown in just weeks. These things bring us closer to the life-giving properties of the soil. Ben is an awesome teacher who knows what it takes to get healthy food into our homes!
Thank you for in-depth explanation about the materials, I've watched some composting video but this is by far the most informative explanation and easy to understand video.
Great video! Love your way of presenting. And yes: I always pee on my compostheaps with great conviction. Not having to flush the toilet so frequently, it also saves a lot of water.
Thank you so much for making this video. You broke it down so perfectly that even a beginner like me can understand and feel confident in making my own!
I've learned so much from your channel! I am a novice veg grower who has only ever had a balcony or fire escape to grow flowers on in pots; however, I've recently purchased my first home on a large lot and I'm over the moon to get growing my own food! Thank you.
I’ve just discovered local to me a supply of well rotted manure and I’ve now two compost bins made out of pallets, full of the stuff which I want to leave until next spring while topping up with kitchen waste. I never thought I’d get so excited about manure and composting.
Interesting and helpful video. I've hot-composted for years and the suggestion of mixing greens and browns in a ration of 50/50 is helpful. I use leaves a lot in my compost and to expedite the process, I'm in the habit of finely shredding my leaves. And, while I'm not obsessive with sticking to the 50/50 mix, keep in mind that the volume of finely shredded leaves is reduced to about 1/5 of unshredded leaves.
I reduced two trees to mulch , I could not believe that they only made a five foot high mound as they were taller than my house at the time . I when it finally broke down it was great compost , cold composted over 2 years.
Excellent video!!! I especially like how you used the Element Chart entry for Nitrogen #7. Brings back good memories. Yes I do use a lot of what you went over in this video. There are coffee machine manufacturers that make coffee using fully compostable 'pods', so if you can locate or work in an office that has this type of machine, you will have unlimited quantities of spent coffee grounds to use where ever you want to in the garden. Thank you again!!!
I went to a local rabbit rescue outfit and got their bedding from the rabbits, which included rabbit, Poo, hay and pine cubes. It ended up being a really nice compost bin additive, although it seems that the pine cubes are going to be really hard to break down.
I enjoy your sense of humor! I have 3 rotating compost bins as well as a bigger circular bin that I don't bother to turn though it still manages to cook away at a pretty good rate. It's my opinion that it's the worms in my bins that are responsible for giving me so much compost so quickly. On really hot days I will lift the lid on the rotating bins to keep the worms from cooking. It can get really hot it there!
Thanks for that! I never would have thought of it myself. I just got a tumbling composter. I'll have to remember to open the doors. Funny, I was just thinking about how jarring it would be to be a worm in one of those tumbling composters while it's being turned. 😂
Very useful video, thanks! Just getting started w/serious gardening/growing veggies, etc. Can't wait to get started w/my compost and I'll be following your well-explained instructions.
By far the most beneficial information shared than any book I've read or video watched. Thank you so much for breaking down such an intimidating project into bite sized pieces even I can digest. Can't wait to get started. BTW, you are my favorite gardening channel!❤
I confess to have CCD, compulsive composting disorder!! 😉 I go out collecting leafy material, this year I've invested in a petrol leaf vacuum and shredder as I go out for 6 large builders bags, I will store these for later use. I also collect 'greens' from the forestry fire prevention clearance and scoop up the horse poop and yes pee does find its way onto the heap. NB; beware that if adders are present in your area they might be nesting in the warmth of the heap, nasty fright for us both. Thanks for another great video
Great tips. I didn’t know that about urine. I’ve been using a covered garbage bin for compost in the colder months. I use my open bin for stuff that will take ages like sticks and will keep it full during the summer.
Hey Ben, guess what!!! This video of yours just confirmed my own recent experiment. My composting area was taking the expected time to breakdown, according to what I was reading online. I became a little impatient and thought surely this could breakdown more quickly if I chopped everything I add to it. WOW!!!! It worked and now you've just confirmed my simple experiment. Thank you, thank you for all your knowledge and sharing. I LOVE your Channel :):):):):)
In the states Starbucks has a program called "Grounds for Gardeners" - Usually a bucket by the front door has a sealed back when they are available. a bucket of bokashi will accelerate too. I sprinkle in a bit of inoculated bio char as well.
I really love your sense of humor and upbeat way of explaining things! I love composting. I was just reading up on a Japanese way of anaerobic composting that causes fermentation. Supposedly, the biggest vegetables ever. Have you ever experimented with this style? Thank you again for making gardening so fun and energetic!
@@ale347baker Trust me, composting will change your life and your plants will be beautiful and lush. I have a Mantis composter it is so GREAT. I have tons of great compost and just have to turn the crank and keep 70% brown 30% green.
I have only recently found your channel, you are such a joy to watch :) always so cheerful and inspiring. I have a hot bin, which I don't seem to be able to keep hot! I shall keep going with it though of course and not give up at this challenge. I gardened a lot before children but am getting back to it now that they are older. I did well last year, my little 8mx5m garden faces west but half is in shade, but I know I will keep improving year on year, we learn and grow with our gardens!
I've been an amateur for about 5 years. Easy stuff like runners, toms, lettuce but I'm trying to get a little more ambitious now. If anyone had have told me years ago that i'd be getting excited over compost, i'd have given them a slap. Compost is King!
😄 Howdy Ben and Rosie! I'm trying to make my own compost...thanks for the know how! I expect to be an even better gardener next year as I continue gaining knowledge from you!😃 Lovely compost you make!😃
I've been making my own compost for literally decades, using pallets but screwed together to make a more solid structure, and including a fourth side. I also have some corrugated iron on the top of them which are on hinges so I can open them as and when required. I use paper from my shredder - all that junk mail is gold for the compost! To be honest, I learnt nothing new in this video but that didn't detract in any way from the professional, informative and mildly excited (!) delivery, the elegant filming and editing and the wonderful English garden surroundings. Frankly the video (as are all of your videos) was a delight to watch. Thank you so much for brightening my morning (and reminding me it's time to turn two of my four stewing compost bins!!). 🤗👍🐛🐜🪲🐞🦗🪳🕷🍃🍂🍁☘🌿🌾🌻🪱
Hi François. Thanks for the lovely feedback. Sounds like you're a composting pro already! Composting is such a joy, it really is. Like gardening alchemy. :-)
Wow such great information Ben. I used pallets to make two bins side by side and every couple of weeks fork the compost from one to the other empty one which is basically turning it and yes, it does definitely speed up the composting process as you say. Here’s a thought, how about making a video on setting up a worm farm using an old bath tub. Set it off the ground a little and put a container under the plug hole to catch the liquid gold worm wee. A bit of soil, some veggie scraps, garden waste and a bit of old sacking to cover them works great. Thank you.
HI! Gardening is so fun but such a learning experience. I know i can use almost any and all greens but Specifically, what greens do you find yourself using more in your compost?
Lovely video Ben, and as you say it's the best time now to do it. I'm waiting for a dry day to do mine,as ATM we having alot of rain on the south east cost. I helped cut my nans hedge down by about 8inchs or so and brought home all I could of that to be able to add to the heap. Have loads of cardboard boxes to rip up,gonna spend one of the wet days and put a Christmas film on,it's time to start them lol, and get all the cardboard ready....have got pop up bings full of spent crops we have got all small and ready to go in. Everything is in its on piles ready to mix together just need a dry day to put it together.but ATM the only dry day we had was yesterday and had to go get some new clothes for my grandads frunnel as nothing I had was suitable.took longer then I like cloths shopping,hate it!!! But it's done now,so I can concentrate on the garden again. Also another drytime,need a couple of dry days,we gonna go get loads of forest leaves,and a bit of dirt too, to make a load of leaf mold... Or gold soil lol looking forward too it. Never been so happy for this time of year lol usually I'm moaning it's cold and wet and blaa now I'm like shall we do this or that or ahhh today we have new broadbean seeds come,let's go play them ... Lol my support worker doesn't know what to do with me.
@@GrowVeg hopefully next year I will be more organized and more in the ground to harvest as ATM I haven't had anything since I got the summer crops out sadly.but seen as this is my 1st year growing more then strawberry and raspberries I don't think it's too bad.
I experienced that cardboard and grass clippings both create that slimy layer, even when used sparely and cut up so my go to brown material is leaves, i also use leaves to make leave mould, and have somewhere around 3000L of leaved safed up, this will quickly shrink but i keep safing up leaves so i can use them as brown material next year for the heap, once greens start flutting in again :)
Great vid ,,, I’m making my own compost at home ,, I am a fisherman , I have made a compost out of kelp and dried Langoustine shells , lots of autumn leaves and I threw a old bag of alfalfa that I had in my hut ,,, last summer was the first time I had used the shells in my compost and my tomatoes that had that compost were noticeably bigger , greener, healthier,, bigger leaves better fruit ,,
I've been turning my whole garden into a compost area, improving the soil all over, killed of most of the grass now since i moved in :) Think of all the life crawling around shitting and pissing, my garden is gunna be epic and plants are gunna be so happy im so excited :)
Turning compost in a dalek bin is SO easy with a compost screw. I've had a Tumbleweed Compost Mate for over 20 years and I use it all the time - does the job with far less effort in 5 minutes so I do it regularly. You screw it down into the compost and then pull-up, so it mixes and aerates all at once. I used to dread turning my bins before getting the compost screw. Highly recommend getting one if you have the plastic bins. Thanks for another fact-filled filler-free video Ben! Love your work!!
This was funny and informative. We always enjoy your content. We live in Northern California where there is drought so we have to add water. Question - How often should I turn my compost pile? From your video, it seems you turn it when it is full and then leave it? Mine has been heaped up with the end of the tomato plants and lots of fallen leaves. Thanks again for all you do.
Thanks for watching, it's appreciated. :-) I don't turn my compost that often - maybe just once as shown. But the more you turn your compost, the quicker it will be, so it's really up to you how much you value the effort vs speed. I'm happy to wait a bit longer, hence turning it just the once.
😂😂 who doesn’t pee in the garden. I admit to having a bucket in case I need to pee and it’s too far to go but I also water it down before adding to the compost. Thank you for sharing Ben always informative and fun
Is it alright to use fallen dry autumn leaves as a brown material? I’ve read so much conflicting advice on this, but as I have a load in my garden I’d love to include them.
I put most of my leaves in black bin sacks, kettle of hot water, half hour stab bottom for drainage, tie up tight and leave until Spring. Any late falling leaves into the compost heap.
It is helpful idea for me, & not buy form the store, doing your own compost tea will bring abundant harvest & bring good nutrition for the soil & reaping abundant harvest.. thank u for sharing this information..
Hi Ben Just a little tip to really get a fast compost. I put everything from my veg n fruit beds in the heap, but to get it faster i chop EVERYTHING TO no longer than 4 inches this really does make a big difference. Ok its extra work but well worth it i find.... And I've arthritis in my hands/wrists..🤣👍
In the suburbs where I live, it has become impossible to compost in any kind of open system, as rats eat all the kitchen scraps. (I got a ComposTumbler, but it is so cumbersome to add to, and hard to turn, and I would not buy again! Will need a 2nd something enclosed once it is full, soon.) Rodents also eat any edible greens I try to grow, and I have given up. I've been told I have to build cages around my 3 raised beds, but I know I have too much depression to end up even using them, as unlocking and re-securing the cages will be far too much trouble to pick a few things every day. Also the rats are so smart, they will get in anyway, unless constantly repaired. I looked into getting owl nesting boxes, but apparently in our dense suburbs (especially my tree-filled garden!), the only owls who would hunt there are too small to eat adult rats. I can't deal with cats nor cat poop in my garden, and won't use poisons. Please do a video on how to discourage rodents from eating everything! They even eat all my miners' lettuce (a tasty local weed where I live!) over the winters now. Love your videos, and your cheerful, can-do attitude! I need the inspiration and the kindness!
So sorry to hear your struggle with the rats, and for the video idea. In the meantime, please check out this article on keeping rats out of compost: www.growveg.com/guides/how-to-keep-rats-out-of-your-compost/
So, I recently read an article about peeing around your plants to increase health of the plants. After getting over my laughing fit from reading the story. I informed my husband that he needed to "help my plants out" by re-leaving himself on my recently planted bushes. Now I will be informing hime that he also has to "help out my compose" doing the same. As always Ben, thanks great information.
Dilute urine with water, 1:10. Rich in nitrogen. But don't use urine from ppl who are on a bunch of prescription drugs as alot of those end up in urine
They may be harmless and just part of the decomposition process. I would imagine they would go once the compost is fully matured. You could certainly turn the compost ingredients to help things along and unsettle the flies.
Been watching your video approx a week ago as I build a large (10m x 15m) green house nursery and need compost. In South Africa it is expensive buying compost. I then came across your very informative video and already started gathering greens, browns and manure (activators) as I live on a farm, which we developed a couple of years ago into a small holiday resort.... so the nursery is going to be for our guests to enjoy fresh veggies instead of having to travel to town to buy fresh. Nevertheless, I know my compost will not be ready in approx 3 weeks when my nursery is ready to plant seeds buttttt will have to buy the fist compost butttt after that I will enjoy my own - thanks to you!!!!! Cant wait for it to be ready in approx 3 months
@@GrowVeg Thank you so much. My heap of compost been prepared yesterday. Going to wet today and have it covered. Will water twice a week. Just wanted to ask what temperature must I try to keep it as we generally enjoy high temperature weather in North West province South Africa. . . . p.s. wish I could share a photo with you here on youtube.... Do you perhaps have a facebook page?
Great video, thank you. I pee in a bucket (in the bathroom!) and dilute it with water to water my garden, and also add some to my compost heap. I dilute 1 part urine to 10 parts water.
Great information mate, I didn’t realize I was throwing good compost away. I’ve also put banana peels in the water so that my plants can get potassium. I’ve also used goat and Guinea pig poop as manure. Every time my daughter cleans out her Guinea pig cage I always ask for the poop especially when it’s soaked in Pee and she just looks at me funny.
I cover mine with a plastic tarp to keep the heat and moisture in. Be very careful using manure and straw, as many fields are now sprayed with Grazon to keep the weeds down in the hay. Same with lawn clippings from yards sprayed with Weed 'n' Feed or a similar product. It will make great looking compost that will kill or stunt your plants. I learned this all the hard way. A compost thermometer is a must. I use one made by Cootway that is multi-colored for easier heat identification as opposed to the gray ones.
@@GrowVeg You're welcome. We are all on here to learn and share to help us all. It's a shame that even our "organic" methods can be laced with chemicals. It's like there is no escaping it nowadays.
30 years ago punk and metal shows were one of my favorite things…..now, composting videos. 🤘🏻🌱🤘🏻
Still punk as hell mate!
Haha getting old
But my plants LOV good old Rock & Roll
Loved this comment! Former techno trance raver. Now, I'm watching this awesome TH-cam channel 😀
Gardening is totally metal.
I’m speechless… the best most informative and explanatory composting video out there
Thanks so much, that's really very kind of you to say.
your videos are perfect combination of knowlege, clarity and humour and theyre not too long, thank you!
Thanks Sandra. 😀
The passion in this video is everything for me! Thank you for keeping your page alive just from you doing what you love while educating all of us.
Thanks so much, really appreciate that. :-)
This is one of the best composting videos on the internet, thank you.
So pleased you found it useful. :-)
I love your channel. You have a very charming personality. Your enthusiasm and passion for gardening clearly shines through and always gets me in the mood to get out there and try things out.
I've been growing tomatoes, cucumbers, spinach, lettuce, carrots, peppers, strawberries, beans and even melons which I couldn't have done without inspiring people like you. So thank you very much for being such an inspiration. Keep up the good work.
This is so lovely to hear! Thank you for watching. 😀
This is hands down the best compost vid on youtube. The best basic guide.
Thanks so much! :-)
two months ago me and my girlfiriend moved into my grandmothers cottage and we love it here a week ago she built a compost from old pallets and its starting to get really nice I'm 26 and I'm so proud of myself that I realized that moving out from the city is the way moving forward nice video by the way, I like your channel
Sounds great! Happy Gardening!
@@GrowVeg thanks!
Get married, Do your prayers
Don't forget Allah
We keep a small 2 gallon composter bin on our apartment patio and put clippings from when the complex landscapes (grass clippings and dead leaves), kitchen scraps, and coffee grounds. We put broken up egg shells and minced avocado peels in there too. Every couple days I'll shake the bin to toss the compost inside to get it aerated.
The egg shells work wonders for getting peppers to fruit because of all the calcium in them. We currently have 5 medium sized potted pepper plants and a roma tomato plant that are fruiting.
Thanks for sharing your experiences. Definitely good to get those egg shells in there! :-)
A really good idea to have that soil thermometer. Fine tuning the temp can speed the process up even faster. Even if you're not in s super hurry, just observing the temp changes as the biology rises and falls and as the pile is turned over makes for a fantastic lesson that will never fade, along with feeling the spongy pile as you construct it, adding in the fresh manure on a spring day, watching it turn dark dark brown in just weeks. These things bring us closer to the life-giving properties of the soil. Ben is an awesome teacher who knows what it takes to get healthy food into our homes!
You get to learn what speeds things along with time - composting, as you say, is great at connecting us to the earth.
@@GrowVeg tomatoesplants
from morocco , i fell in love lately with plants and growing them , i loved ur channel , good explanations and ecofriendly ways
Thank you so much for your kind words. Really great to have you watching. :-)
Your sense of humour is very much appreciated, oh & the compost info is brilliant! Thank you 🤗
Thanks Jane. 😀
Thank you for in-depth explanation about the materials, I've watched some composting video but this is by far the most informative explanation and easy to understand video.
Great video! Love your way of presenting. And yes: I always pee on my compostheaps with great conviction. Not having to flush the toilet so frequently, it also saves a lot of water.
Absolutely!
Thank you for providing a detailed look at composting. The quality of the content and the visuals are fantastic
I can't tell if your enthusiasm on this topic is concerning or absolutely awesome
Let's go with the latter! :-)
Excellent video! I was intimidated to start composting and you made it very approachable and understandable.
That's great to hear Elise. :-)
Being intimidated to start composting is perplexing. I can't imagine how scared you are driving down the highway in a 4,000 lb machine at 50mph
Thank you so much for making this video. You broke it down so perfectly that even a beginner like me can understand and feel confident in making my own!
So pleased you're ready to make your own. :-)
I've learned so much from your channel! I am a novice veg grower who has only ever had a balcony or fire escape to grow flowers on in pots; however, I've recently purchased my first home on a large lot and I'm over the moon to get growing my own food! Thank you.
So exciting for you - hope you have a really productive first season. Enjoy! :-)
Watching this so I dont have to constantly ask my mother in law what i can and can't throw in the compost. Really neat and helpful, thank you ❤
A really helpful video on a topic that’s had me overwhelmed. You’ve made the impossible seem possible, thank you 😊
That’s fantastic to hear. I do hope you give composting a go. :-)
@@GrowVeg thank you 😊, purchasing a 245 litre compost bin this week, starting small, but starting nonetheless thanks to your encouragement!
I’ve just discovered local to me a supply of well rotted manure and I’ve now two compost bins made out of pallets, full of the stuff which I want to leave until next spring while topping up with kitchen waste. I never thought I’d get so excited about manure and composting.
You're a true gardener if you're excited about that!
This was by far the best video I’ve see on this subject. Thanks so much.
Interesting and helpful video.
I've hot-composted for years and the suggestion of mixing greens and browns in a ration of 50/50 is helpful. I use leaves a lot in my compost and to expedite the process, I'm in the habit of finely shredding my leaves. And, while I'm not obsessive with sticking to the 50/50 mix, keep in mind that the volume of finely shredded leaves is reduced to about 1/5 of unshredded leaves.
I reduced two trees to mulch , I could not believe that they only made a five foot high mound as they were taller than my house at the time . I when it finally broke down it was great compost , cold composted over 2 years.
Excellent video!!! I especially like how you used the Element Chart entry for Nitrogen #7. Brings back good memories. Yes I do use a lot of what you went over in this video. There are coffee machine manufacturers that make coffee using fully compostable 'pods', so if you can locate or work in an office that has this type of machine, you will have unlimited quantities of spent coffee grounds to use where ever you want to in the garden. Thank you again!!!
Great tip on the coffee grounds Richard!
I went to a local rabbit rescue outfit and got their bedding from the rabbits, which included rabbit, Poo, hay and pine cubes. It ended up being a really nice compost bin additive, although it seems that the pine cubes are going to be really hard to break down.
I enjoy your sense of humor! I have 3 rotating compost bins as well as a bigger circular bin that I don't bother to turn though it still manages to cook away at a pretty good rate. It's my opinion that it's the worms in my bins that are responsible for giving me so much compost so quickly. On really hot days I will lift the lid on the rotating bins to keep the worms from cooking. It can get really hot it there!
That's very considerate of you Susan. I'm sure the worms appreciate it. :-)
Thanks for that! I never would have thought of it myself. I just got a tumbling composter. I'll have to remember to open the doors.
Funny, I was just thinking about how jarring it would be to be a worm in one of those tumbling composters while it's being turned. 😂
Very useful video, thanks! Just getting started w/serious gardening/growing veggies, etc. Can't wait to get started w/my compost and I'll be following your well-explained instructions.
Enjoy getting started - growing veggies can be life-changing. :-)
This has been the best video I've seen about how to make a compost. Thank you for producing such a great video! Very easy to understand!
So pleased you enjoyed it. Watch out for our follow up on this in a few weeks time. :-)
By far the most beneficial information shared than any book I've read or video watched. Thank you so much for breaking down such an intimidating project into bite sized pieces even I can digest. Can't wait to get started. BTW, you are my favorite gardening channel!❤
That is so lovely to hear. Thank you for watching :-)
I confess to have CCD, compulsive composting disorder!! 😉
I go out collecting leafy material, this year I've invested in a petrol leaf vacuum and shredder as I go out for 6 large builders bags, I will store these for later use. I also collect 'greens' from the forestry fire prevention clearance and scoop up the horse poop and yes pee does find its way onto the heap.
NB; beware that if adders are present in your area they might be nesting in the warmth of the heap, nasty fright for us both.
Thanks for another great video
You sound a very determined compost enthusiast!
Great tips. I didn’t know that about urine. I’ve been using a covered garbage bin for compost in the colder months. I use my open bin for stuff that will take ages like sticks and will keep it full during the summer.
Urine is also high in Potassium typically.
Hey Ben, guess what!!! This video of yours just confirmed my own recent experiment. My composting area was taking the expected time to breakdown, according to what I was reading online. I became a little impatient and thought surely this could breakdown more quickly if I chopped everything I add to it. WOW!!!! It worked and now you've just confirmed my simple experiment.
Thank you, thank you for all your knowledge and sharing. I LOVE your Channel :):):):):)
So pleased you've sped up your compost - great result. :-)
First year making compost here and this video really helps! Keep up the good work!
Me too. Good luck friend and enjoy your journey!
@@GingeRenee Thank you very much and I wish you the best!
Thanks for the knowledge that you impart to us your viewers
Love, love, love your information. I catch you often on the Farmer's Almanac daily email. I have learned so much from you. Thank you!!!
That's lovely to hear, thank you! :-)
In the states Starbucks has a program called "Grounds for Gardeners" - Usually a bucket by the front door has a sealed back when they are available. a bucket of bokashi will accelerate too. I sprinkle in a bit of inoculated bio char as well.
What a great program. :-)
I really love your sense of humor and upbeat way of explaining things! I love composting. I was just reading up on a Japanese way of anaerobic composting that causes fermentation. Supposedly, the biggest vegetables ever. Have you ever experimented with this style?
Thank you again for making gardening so fun and energetic!
Is it bukashi?
@@ale347baker bokashi, yes exactly. Have you ever used this method with bran groats?
@@kavannahlight5378 Im a new gardener, learning all I can. I started composting since the summer, but im still learning.
@@ale347baker Trust me, composting will change your life and your plants will be beautiful and lush. I have a Mantis composter it is so GREAT. I have tons of great compost and just have to turn the crank and keep 70% brown 30% green.
I've never tried bokashi composting, but know it does great things and is well worth trying.
Been watching your channel with my granddaughter in the evenings-really enjoy your knowledge, advice and your witt. Thank you for sharing.
That's very kind of you to say - and how lovely to have your granddaughter watching too. :-)
I have only recently found your channel, you are such a joy to watch :) always so cheerful and inspiring. I have a hot bin, which I don't seem to be able to keep hot! I shall keep going with it though of course and not give up at this challenge. I gardened a lot before children but am getting back to it now that they are older. I did well last year, my little 8mx5m garden faces west but half is in shade, but I know I will keep improving year on year, we learn and grow with our gardens!
Great to hear you're getting back to it. We certainly do learn and grow as gardeners!
I've been an amateur for about 5 years. Easy stuff like runners, toms, lettuce but I'm trying to get a little more ambitious now. If anyone had have told me years ago that i'd be getting excited over compost, i'd have given them a slap. Compost is King!
It certainly is! And it's surprisingly easy to get excited about!
Great content and engaging with loads of enthusiasm. Thanks for keeping me motivated to continue and expand my garden.
You're welcome - thank you for watching.
Just what I was after; a really engaging and to-the-point video, thank you.
😄 Howdy Ben and Rosie! I'm trying to make my own compost...thanks for the know how! I expect to be an even better gardener next year as I continue gaining knowledge from you!😃
Lovely compost you make!😃
Thanks Valorie. :-)
This is the video I needed to see to give me the confidence to try a small pile. Thank you!
You're most welcome. Happy composting!
Thank you Ben for these important compost tips, most useful.......🍁🌿👍
This was one of the best, informative and to the point videos I've seen and I appreciate it so much!!! Thank you!!!!
Thank you for your knowledge share once again... cheers from Canada.
I've been making my own compost for literally decades, using pallets but screwed together to make a more solid structure, and including a fourth side. I also have some corrugated iron on the top of them which are on hinges so I can open them as and when required. I use paper from my shredder - all that junk mail is gold for the compost! To be honest, I learnt nothing new in this video but that didn't detract in any way from the professional, informative and mildly excited (!) delivery, the elegant filming and editing and the wonderful English garden surroundings. Frankly the video (as are all of your videos) was a delight to watch. Thank you so much for brightening my morning (and reminding me it's time to turn two of my four stewing compost bins!!). 🤗👍🐛🐜🪲🐞🦗🪳🕷🍃🍂🍁☘🌿🌾🌻🪱
Hi François. Thanks for the lovely feedback. Sounds like you're a composting pro already! Composting is such a joy, it really is. Like gardening alchemy. :-)
This is such a rewarding activity and experience and also very therapeutic as well
Wow such great information Ben. I used pallets to make two bins side by side and every couple of weeks fork the compost from one to the other empty one which is basically turning it and yes, it does definitely speed up the composting process as you say. Here’s a thought, how about making a video on setting up a worm farm using an old bath tub. Set it off the ground a little and put a container under the plug hole to catch the liquid gold worm wee. A bit of soil, some veggie scraps, garden waste and a bit of old sacking to cover them works great. Thank you.
That sounds like a great idea John. I did a video on a smaller wormery already also: th-cam.com/video/7Mqb5vicCOc/w-d-xo.html
your jumper matches the leaves!! love it!!!
All carefully colour coordinated!
HI! Gardening is so fun but such a learning experience. I know i can use almost any and all greens but Specifically, what greens do you find yourself using more in your compost?
I reckon probably weeds, as these are the most-produced greens. Followed by kitchen scraps/waste more generally.
we love the value of this video! Always use a compost bin for better compost 😁
Lovely video Ben, and as you say it's the best time now to do it. I'm waiting for a dry day to do mine,as ATM we having alot of rain on the south east cost. I helped cut my nans hedge down by about 8inchs or so and brought home all I could of that to be able to add to the heap. Have loads of cardboard boxes to rip up,gonna spend one of the wet days and put a Christmas film on,it's time to start them lol, and get all the cardboard ready....have got pop up bings full of spent crops we have got all small and ready to go in.
Everything is in its on piles ready to mix together just need a dry day to put it together.but ATM the only dry day we had was yesterday and had to go get some new clothes for my grandads frunnel as nothing I had was suitable.took longer then I like cloths shopping,hate it!!! But it's done now,so I can concentrate on the garden again.
Also another drytime,need a couple of dry days,we gonna go get loads of forest leaves,and a bit of dirt too, to make a load of leaf mold... Or gold soil lol looking forward too it. Never been so happy for this time of year lol usually I'm moaning it's cold and wet and blaa now I'm like shall we do this or that or ahhh today we have new broadbean seeds come,let's go play them ... Lol my support worker doesn't know what to do with me.
So pleased you're enjoying the season Cheryl. Autumn is rapidly becoming my favourite time of year too!
@@GrowVeg hopefully next year I will be more organized and more in the ground to harvest as ATM I haven't had anything since I got the summer crops out sadly.but seen as this is my 1st year growing more then strawberry and raspberries I don't think it's too bad.
Seeing what you put in it changed how I feel about that huge "sweet" whiff you took at the start.
Haha - good point!
Excellent information and entertaining! Your videos are always fun to watch.
Hi ben are so good and u show and explaine so well im learning so much even i got a diploma level 1 in horticulture thankyou
I experienced that cardboard and grass clippings both create that slimy layer, even when used sparely and cut up so my go to brown material is leaves, i also use leaves to make leave mould, and have somewhere around 3000L of leaved safed up, this will quickly shrink but i keep safing up leaves so i can use them as brown material next year for the heap, once greens start flutting in again :)
Exactly the video I needed to see, answered all my questions. Love the enthusiasm and presentation too, thanks for making this. 😀
Fantastic and well explained, thanks so much.
I love watching your videos. Even the subject of the video is something i already know i still watch it again. Thank you!
That's really great to hear - we're doing our job right if you want to watch it anyhow! :-)
Our bamboo and wooden tableware is also compostable😄
Great vid ,,, I’m making my own compost at home ,, I am a fisherman , I have made a compost out of kelp and dried Langoustine shells , lots of autumn leaves and I threw a old bag of alfalfa that I had in my hut ,,, last summer was the first time I had used the shells in my compost and my tomatoes that had that compost were noticeably bigger , greener, healthier,, bigger leaves better fruit ,,
What unique compost ingredients - love it!
Great video about composting, Thank you😁👍
Oh I do love your humour that has made me smile ! X
I've been turning my whole garden into a compost area, improving the soil all over, killed of most of the grass now since i moved in :) Think of all the life crawling around shitting and pissing, my garden is gunna be epic and plants are gunna be so happy im so excited :)
It certainly will be!
@@GrowVeg :)
Turning compost in a dalek bin is SO easy with a compost screw. I've had a Tumbleweed Compost Mate for over 20 years and I use it all the time - does the job with far less effort in 5 minutes so I do it regularly. You screw it down into the compost and then pull-up, so it mixes and aerates all at once. I used to dread turning my bins before getting the compost screw. Highly recommend getting one if you have the plastic bins. Thanks for another fact-filled filler-free video Ben! Love your work!!
What a great tool, thanks for the tip!
This was funny and informative. We always enjoy your content. We live in Northern California where there is drought so we have to add water. Question - How often should I turn my compost pile? From your video, it seems you turn it when it is full and then leave it? Mine has been heaped up with the end of the tomato plants and lots of fallen leaves. Thanks again for all you do.
Thanks for watching, it's appreciated. :-) I don't turn my compost that often - maybe just once as shown. But the more you turn your compost, the quicker it will be, so it's really up to you how much you value the effort vs speed. I'm happy to wait a bit longer, hence turning it just the once.
Best video ever as far as this subject is concerned. Thank you very much.
You're very welcome. :-)
2:50 Peeing outside or in a compost pile isn't bad at all + you save 2-5 liters each day so the water tank from the toilet won't have to refill back!
It's a super water saver. :-)
A lot of countries only flush for #2 any ways.
This was really helpful - I'm brand new to gardening & composting!
So pleased you found it helpful. :-)
I just love you, Ben!! You make gardening look easy! Yeehaw!
Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed this video. :-)
Chicken composting is by far the quickest and satisfying composting method.
Always great content.. thanks
Thank you for being a Teacher
I've heard of not using urine if you take medications? Not sure if it matters or not
Possibly best avoid using using if on medication, though I can't imagine it would have that much impact on a huge compost heap.
Great video ! a used rotating composter is fun, I rotate often and easily my compost
😂😂 who doesn’t pee in the garden. I admit to having a bucket in case I need to pee and it’s too far to go but I also water it down before adding to the compost. Thank you for sharing Ben always informative and fun
It's great to be able to produce your own compost activator. :-)
Fantastic; I need to head out to the garden now & start making compost
Is it alright to use fallen dry autumn leaves as a brown material? I’ve read so much conflicting advice on this, but as I have a load in my garden I’d love to include them.
He was adding heaps of them to his pile. I always add them too. Nature’s gold! And free too. Happy Gardening.
I put most of my leaves in black bin sacks, kettle of hot water, half hour stab bottom for drainage, tie up tight and leave until Spring. Any late falling leaves into the compost heap.
@@amandasylvester3878 why do you use hot water?
@@amandasylvester3878 did you mean to say half hour? I can't decipher lol
@@lisag9493 just to get some heat in and a boost. I'm in the Highlands so we are already getting below zero at night.
It is helpful idea for me, & not buy form the store, doing your own compost tea will bring abundant harvest & bring good nutrition for the soil & reaping abundant harvest.. thank u for sharing this information..
Love your content!!! So informative and interesting. Keep up the great work!!
Thanks so much! 😀
Hi Ben
Just a little tip to really get a fast compost.
I put everything from my veg n fruit beds in the heap, but to get it faster i chop EVERYTHING TO no longer than 4 inches this really does make a big difference. Ok its extra work but well worth it i find....
And I've arthritis in my hands/wrists..🤣👍
Great tip - and yes, definitely makes a difference!
In the suburbs where I live, it has become impossible to compost in any kind of open system, as rats eat all the kitchen scraps.
(I got a ComposTumbler, but it is so cumbersome to add to, and hard to turn, and I would not buy again! Will need a 2nd something enclosed once it is full, soon.)
Rodents also eat any edible greens I try to grow, and I have given up. I've been told I have to build cages around my 3 raised beds, but I know I have too much depression to end up even using them, as unlocking and re-securing the cages will be far too much trouble to pick a few things every day.
Also the rats are so smart, they will get in anyway, unless constantly repaired.
I looked into getting owl nesting boxes, but apparently in our dense suburbs (especially my tree-filled garden!), the only owls who would hunt there are too small to eat adult rats. I can't deal with cats nor cat poop in my garden, and won't use poisons.
Please do a video on how to discourage rodents from eating everything! They even eat all my miners' lettuce (a tasty local weed where I live!) over the winters now.
Love your videos, and your cheerful, can-do attitude! I need the inspiration and the kindness!
So sorry to hear your struggle with the rats, and for the video idea. In the meantime, please check out this article on keeping rats out of compost: www.growveg.com/guides/how-to-keep-rats-out-of-your-compost/
So, I recently read an article about peeing around your plants to increase health of the plants. After getting over my laughing fit from reading the story. I informed my husband that he needed to "help my plants out" by re-leaving himself on my recently planted bushes. Now I will be informing hime that he also has to "help out my compose" doing the same. As always Ben, thanks great information.
I hope he has enough of the liquid gold to go round Donna!
Dilute urine with water, 1:10. Rich in nitrogen. But don't use urine from ppl who are on a bunch of prescription drugs as alot of those end up in urine
Ok, who else peed in their compost heap?
I did
In our village in CEE its a tradition, a must
Just y’all
Such a wonderful video. Thank you. I use this to teach my students.
Wonderful Ben, thank you so much as always 😊 and yes I always pee on my compost lol
Is thaaat the excuse... 😆
Great stuff! :-)
Incredibly informational and pretty entertaining, great video!
bro just craft 7 slabs and make a composter
Fab vid thank you 👍 I’ve lots of white flies in my compost bin 🙈🙈any tips how to get rid of them pls ??
They may be harmless and just part of the decomposition process. I would imagine they would go once the compost is fully matured. You could certainly turn the compost ingredients to help things along and unsettle the flies.
I think the small pieces make it much faster
Been watching your video approx a week ago as I build a large (10m x 15m) green house nursery and need compost. In South Africa it is expensive buying compost. I then came across your very informative video and already started gathering greens, browns and manure (activators) as I live on a farm, which we developed a couple of years ago into a small holiday resort.... so the nursery is going to be for our guests to enjoy fresh veggies instead of having to travel to town to buy fresh. Nevertheless, I know my compost will not be ready in approx 3 weeks when my nursery is ready to plant seeds buttttt will have to buy the fist compost butttt after that I will enjoy my own - thanks to you!!!!! Cant wait for it to be ready in approx 3 months
Hope you manage to harvest and enjoy plenty of your own compost. Sounds like you'll have plenty of inputs to make it! :-)
@@GrowVeg Thank you so much. My heap of compost been prepared yesterday. Going to wet today and have it covered. Will water twice a week. Just wanted to ask what temperature must I try to keep it as we generally enjoy high temperature weather in North West province South Africa. . . . p.s. wish I could share a photo with you here on youtube.... Do you perhaps have a facebook page?
Great video, thank you. I pee in a bucket (in the bathroom!) and dilute it with water to water my garden, and also add some to my compost heap. I dilute 1 part urine to 10 parts water.
Great information mate, I didn’t realize I was throwing good compost away. I’ve also put banana peels in the water so that my plants can get potassium. I’ve also used goat and Guinea pig poop as manure. Every time my daughter cleans out her Guinea pig cage I always ask for the poop especially when it’s soaked in Pee and she just looks at me funny.
If your not on a whole lot of medications urine is good un the compost!
This is an excellent and informative video, thank you 🙏 and the sheer passion is also very infectious! 💪
Thanks so much! :-)
PEEING IN THE PILES FOR SURE!!!!
I cover mine with a plastic tarp to keep the heat and moisture in. Be very careful using manure and straw, as many fields are now sprayed with Grazon to keep the weeds down in the hay. Same with lawn clippings from yards sprayed with Weed 'n' Feed or a similar product. It will make great looking compost that will kill or stunt your plants. I learned this all the hard way. A compost thermometer is a must. I use one made by Cootway that is multi-colored for easier heat identification as opposed to the gray ones.
Very wise advice re herbicides, thank you.
@@GrowVeg You're welcome. We are all on here to learn and share to help us all. It's a shame that even our "organic" methods can be laced with chemicals. It's like there is no escaping it nowadays.