Laziest way to compost is to plant your squash and other deep rooted plants directly in and around the compost pile. Our compost bin was mistakenly placed in a full sun area because it was closest to the kitchen. I've wanted to move it, but the wood is falling apart, so any attempt to move it would likely break it. Volunteer squash kept growing out of it every year, so I figured it would be a good place to plant my angled luffa. Everything planted near it grows exceptionally well.
@@bluewolf4915 yeah I filled it to the top with garden waste, cardboard, sawdust, and it probably broke down by 10/1 but it wasn’t 2 months and it was ready. It was July and August so it was warm.
We got some of those 55 gallon plastic containers that are used for food off of Facebook for 10 bucks a piece. Fill them up and just roll them around occasionally to mix.
@ sociopathmercenary If you have some holes in the bottom to let the worms in then you don’t even need to roll the around. Everything that I put in gets composted by the worms with no effort from me. It does take ~6 months or so but the quality of compost is top notch!
I have been composting for years. Learned a lot watching videos like this. I no longer try to “hurry” my compost. I start building my pile in the spring and add all my yard and garden waste thru the late fall. Weather permitting I may stir 1 or 2 times during the winter then again several times in early spring and top dress my garden with compost after my plants have established. I even add small amounts of meat, fat and dairy to my pile.
I can’t wait until I have enough outdoor space to make compost. Every inch of my tiny covered balcony is covered in plants. I’m a new-ish gardener, still learning some of the basics of getting stuff to grow.
Because of your videos I have been composting for a couple years. Trying something different this year starting a second pile this fall,knowing that the cold will stop it working this winter. Question will it take off again next spring or should it be allowed to finish cold next year?
Okay but fresh wood chips are nitrogen correct because they're full of green leaves and sap ?because when the power company came out and dumped a fresh load it was hot for quite awhile
I make compost in onenof those tumblers. I tend to get thise tar balls, probably because i dont have enuff browns. I just dump it out and let it sit in the sun to dry it out to dry it before putting in my beds. Im wondering if i could just break them up in the bed wet to mix with dry soil?
I’m SO allergic to molds and compost, I get sick gardening, but I wear a mask and glasses. I love it, but had mold toxicity and moved, but was bitten 3 years ago by a rare and potentially deadly tick and have developed all these issues. Plus, there is mold and fungus throughout my new yards. Maybe the allergies will go away when I recover from all these infections! 🙏
I really need to focus on making my own compost. I've had many failed garden seasons due to contaminated free compost, multiple times 🫣. This year I decided to ro buy soil to ammend my beds and it was completely nitrogen deficient. 😢 I have decided I'm going to ammend with natural nutrients or compost I make myself. Wish me luck.
I am a relatively new gardener, but I fill my raised beds in the fall and cover them with tarps. I found that any semi composted material feeds the soil life over the winter and it's nice and black by spring. Zone 7a. I hope he answers your question. Would be good to know if this approach is beneficial.
I think it depends on your financial situation, how much ready compost you have, how many growing seasons you have, your location etc. If I don't have much homemade compost to cover all my beds, I use my compost in Spring only as I want as much bacteria/fungi/microbes in my soil at the start of the big growing season. This is generally the case as I can't make enough of it 😂 I'm in Australia in a temperate climate. I can grow food all year round so re-amend my soil using other amendments during Summer, Autumn, Winter. Have fun gardening and try not to overthink it 😊
Yeah, also depends on your growing conditions. If you can't grow through winter adding compost in Fall is a great idea. Where I am we can grow cool weather crops through Winter so I find it better to add compost in Spring, ready for the hungry Summer plants.
06:37 - inviting creapy crawlies and not benefitial to put half ready compost. Is this really true? Any research available? In Sweden is it quite popular to compost directly where you grow. - bottom of a raised bed is being done from everything you typically dump into a compost.
I think what makes composting in place successful/doesn't cause nitrogen problems is the material being in the bottom and covered with enough soil that by the time the plant roots work their way down there, it's pretty much finished compost anyhow. If you watch Robbie and Geri you tube videos, she is a big proponent of composting in place.
My opinion: many organic type amendments take a few months to break down. I add everything to my beds in the fall and allow them to age over winter. Do in Spring, everything is ready to go. I am in the Thumb of MI.
I have a question question mark regarding trash can composting. Unfortunately I have to leave my trash cans on concrete. Earlier in the season I added a dozen store-bought worms to throw in my trash can. I've done it a couple years not knowing if it really helped. Am I wasting my money?
Is it ok to compost old squash leaves that got hit by powdery mildew or other diseases in the compost bin? I have read it depends on if you hot or cold compost. By end of season all my vegetable plants have something wrong with them.
You’ll find varying opinions, but from what I’ve heard, many leaf diseases are always in the environment and require specific conditions to grow/show up, so not composting them isn’t really preventing much.
Does anyone who uses straw mulch amend with compost straight on top of the old straw mulch? I have several raised beds that i put together just this year, so compaction is pretty significant. I'm still growing, but I'm planning to add 3-4" of composted horse manure and chicken bedding/compost (that will all be composted down) over the winter, and I've been debating whether I should pull the old straw mulch out, or leave it in. If I leave it in, can I add a thick layer of compost onto the beds w/the layer of straw as is, or should I mix the straw in? It's already composting down in some of the beds, so I'd think leaving it and adding a significant layer of compost would work ok.
Luke does core gardening where he buries straw/hay in his beds to help retain water. It all breaks down over the season, so I would assume you could top your hay and it should be fine.
@@Freeland-Farm I did mean settling, but I have compaction issues as well. I used un-sifted, clay heavy top soil mixed with mushroom compost on the top 6"+ and the beds have compacted to varying degrees. Part of my intention for amending w/a significant amount of compost on top of the straw is to have a more workable soil. Basically, I would need to essentially till the top several inches in a few beds to even be able to replant. But if I left the straw, added thick compost, and recover with straw, I think I could have workable soil after a few months. Either way, I won't leave any beds un-mulched, I do need to manage settling and compaction both. Despite my soil not being as soft and workable as I'd like, everything has grown extremely well and I seem to have pretty good water retention from the clay, but good drainage due to the lasagna layering. I'm kinda counting on my root crops to let me know how accurate that assessment is tho.
I started composting a couple yrs ago...and one thing I learned is if u keep at it...esp in warmer weather it breaks down very fast...no smell! A good '"earthy" smell! Just keep layering like MA gardener says....I turn mine at least twice a wk...my pile isn't real big...prob a good wheelbarrow Full....I keep a side bed starting...it's just on the ground with blocks around....it's behind the garage where no one can see it.
@@debrak.6430 I am in an apartment and just have an old kitchen trash can (about waist high) that I dump out on a tarp, mix and put back in the can a few times a year. I also cut up anything that goes in like kitchen scraps and cuttings from my plants that are larger than my index finger. Gives me enough to refill my containers/pots for potatoes, strawberries and onions.
I’m SO allergic to molds and compost, I get sick gardening, but I wear a mask and glasses. I love it, but had mold toxicity and moved, but was bitten 3 years ago by a rare and potentially deadly tick and have developed all these issues. Plus, there is mold and fungus throughout my new yards. Maybe the allergies will go away when I recover from all these infections! 🙏
I'm lucky. I live down the street from a nursery that sells a yard of mushroom compost for $30.
Laziest way to compost is to plant your squash and other deep rooted plants directly in and around the compost pile. Our compost bin was mistakenly placed in a full sun area because it was closest to the kitchen. I've wanted to move it, but the wood is falling apart, so any attempt to move it would likely break it. Volunteer squash kept growing out of it every year, so I figured it would be a good place to plant my angled luffa. Everything planted near it grows exceptionally well.
I found a brand new spinning composter at a yard sale for $5. It makes compost so fast! Not much at a time but it’s the fastest.
Thought about getting one of those but doesn't look like they hold much.
@@bluewolf4915 yeah I filled it to the top with garden waste, cardboard, sawdust, and it probably broke down by 10/1 but it wasn’t 2 months and it was ready. It was July and August so it was warm.
@@bluewolf4915 I’d say pick the one with the biggest opening possible. It’s a pain and a struggle otherwise.
We got some of those 55 gallon plastic containers that are used for food off of Facebook for 10 bucks a piece. Fill them up and just roll them around occasionally to mix.
@ sociopathmercenary If you have some holes in the bottom to let the worms in then you don’t even need to roll the around. Everything that I put in gets composted by the worms with no effort from me. It does take ~6 months or so but the quality of compost is top notch!
I have been composting for years. Learned a lot watching videos like this. I no longer try to “hurry” my compost. I start building my pile in the spring and add all my yard and garden waste thru the late fall. Weather permitting I may stir 1 or 2 times during the winter then again several times in early spring and top dress my garden with compost after my plants have established. I even add small amounts of meat, fat and dairy to my pile.
I can always get better! Thank you Luke 😊🇺🇸
Great info, Luke! Thank you as usual.
Thanks for sharing.❤
Is that a squirrel running in the background of intro or what? Looks awesome!
Thank You!
Thanks for the info!
I can’t wait until I have enough outdoor space to make compost. Every inch of my tiny covered balcony is covered in plants. I’m a new-ish gardener, still learning some of the basics of getting stuff to grow.
Nice camera! Your vid quality has gone WAY up since you started your channel. And as always, good content and good explanations, your signature talent
Because of your videos I have been composting for a couple years. Trying something different this year starting a second pile this fall,knowing that the cold will stop it working this winter. Question will it take off again next spring or should it be allowed to finish cold next year?
Yes, it will take off again in the spring when temps thaw the pile.
Okay but fresh wood chips are nitrogen correct because they're full of green leaves and sap ?because when the power company came out and dumped a fresh load it was hot for quite awhile
I make compost in onenof those tumblers. I tend to get thise tar balls, probably because i dont have enuff browns. I just dump it out and let it sit in the sun to dry it out to dry it before putting in my beds. Im wondering if i could just break them up in the bed wet to mix with dry soil?
Just started... all i gotta say is Squirrel! :D
I’m SO allergic to molds and compost, I get sick gardening, but I wear a mask and glasses. I love it, but had mold toxicity and moved, but was bitten 3 years ago by a rare and potentially deadly tick and have developed all these issues. Plus, there is mold and fungus throughout my new yards. Maybe the allergies will go away when I recover from all these infections! 🙏
I really need to focus on making my own compost. I've had many failed garden seasons due to contaminated free compost, multiple times 🫣. This year I decided to ro buy soil to ammend my beds and it was completely nitrogen deficient. 😢 I have decided I'm going to ammend with natural nutrients or compost I make myself. Wish me luck.
Research lasagna composting. Easy peasy!
Thanks for another great video! Is that lemongrass I see? If so, what do you do with yours?
Is it better to spread compost in raised beds in the Spring before planting or in the Fall?
I am a relatively new gardener, but I fill my raised beds in the fall and cover them with tarps. I found that any semi composted material feeds the soil life over the winter and it's nice and black by spring. Zone 7a. I hope he answers your question. Would be good to know if this approach is beneficial.
I think it depends on your financial situation, how much ready compost you have, how many growing seasons you have, your location etc.
If I don't have much homemade compost to cover all my beds, I use my compost in Spring only as I want as much bacteria/fungi/microbes in my soil at the start of the big growing season. This is generally the case as I can't make enough of it 😂
I'm in Australia in a temperate climate. I can grow food all year round so re-amend my soil using other amendments during Summer, Autumn, Winter.
Have fun gardening and try not to overthink it 😊
Yeah, also depends on your growing conditions. If you can't grow through winter adding compost in Fall is a great idea.
Where I am we can grow cool weather crops through Winter so I find it better to add compost in Spring, ready for the hungry Summer plants.
I found that when I lay my-not so fully compost, on top of my bed the microbs/rolly pollies eat my veggies that exist 😢
My neighbor offered his grass clippings; however he just put down weed and feed. So I'm not sure I should take.
Wish I had more room, and more energy. This time of year I've got complete garden burnout. 😮😮
06:37 - inviting creapy crawlies and not benefitial to put half ready compost. Is this really true? Any research available? In Sweden is it quite popular to compost directly where you grow. - bottom of a raised bed is being done from everything you typically dump into a compost.
I think what makes composting in place successful/doesn't cause nitrogen problems is the material being in the bottom and covered with enough soil that by the time the plant roots work their way down there, it's pretty much finished compost anyhow. If you watch Robbie and Geri you tube videos, she is a big proponent of composting in place.
I have one compost bed that is completely done....Im in Ohio....should i put it on my garden now or save it till spring??
My opinion: many organic type amendments take a few months to break down. I add everything to my beds in the fall and allow them to age over winter. Do in Spring, everything is ready to go. I am in the Thumb of MI.
I have a question question mark regarding trash can composting. Unfortunately I have to leave my trash cans on concrete. Earlier in the season I added a dozen store-bought worms to throw in my trash can. I've done it a couple years not knowing if it really helped. Am I wasting my money?
The whole nitrogen sequestration thing can be fixed with a little urea dissolved in water, no? Seems like it's an easier way to go about it
Is it ok to compost old squash leaves that got hit by powdery mildew or other diseases in the compost bin? I have read it depends on if you hot or cold compost. By end of season all my vegetable plants have something wrong with them.
You’ll find varying opinions, but from what I’ve heard, many leaf diseases are always in the environment and require specific conditions to grow/show up, so not composting them isn’t really preventing much.
@emkn1479 good to know, thank you
Does anyone who uses straw mulch amend with compost straight on top of the old straw mulch? I have several raised beds that i put together just this year, so compaction is pretty significant. I'm still growing, but I'm planning to add 3-4" of composted horse manure and chicken bedding/compost (that will all be composted down) over the winter, and I've been debating whether I should pull the old straw mulch out, or leave it in. If I leave it in, can I add a thick layer of compost onto the beds w/the layer of straw as is, or should I mix the straw in? It's already composting down in some of the beds, so I'd think leaving it and adding a significant layer of compost would work ok.
I’d leave it in. Seems like good biomass that’ll break down well.
Luke does core gardening where he buries straw/hay in his beds to help retain water. It all breaks down over the season, so I would assume you could top your hay and it should be fine.
@@Freeland-Farm I did mean settling, but I have compaction issues as well. I used un-sifted, clay heavy top soil mixed with mushroom compost on the top 6"+ and the beds have compacted to varying degrees. Part of my intention for amending w/a significant amount of compost on top of the straw is to have a more workable soil. Basically, I would need to essentially till the top several inches in a few beds to even be able to replant. But if I left the straw, added thick compost, and recover with straw, I think I could have workable soil after a few months. Either way, I won't leave any beds un-mulched, I do need to manage settling and compaction both. Despite my soil not being as soft and workable as I'd like, everything has grown extremely well and I seem to have pretty good water retention from the clay, but good drainage due to the lasagna layering. I'm kinda counting on my root crops to let me know how accurate that assessment is tho.
I like the smell of it and how it feels i have autism
I wish i had started composting earlier. I thought it would be complicated, take lots of work and be smelly. It does not have to be any of those.
I started composting a couple yrs ago...and one thing I learned is if u keep at it...esp in warmer weather it breaks down very fast...no smell! A good '"earthy" smell! Just keep layering like MA gardener says....I turn mine at least twice a wk...my pile isn't real big...prob a good wheelbarrow Full....I keep a side bed starting...it's just on the ground with blocks around....it's behind the garage where no one can see it.
P.S.....remember to keep it from drying out....but not soaking wet.
@@debrak.6430 I am in an apartment and just have an old kitchen trash can (about waist high) that I dump out on a tarp, mix and put back in the can a few times a year. I also cut up anything that goes in like kitchen scraps and cuttings from my plants that are larger than my index finger. Gives me enough to refill my containers/pots for potatoes, strawberries and onions.
First
Grader? 🤣🤣
@@bluewolf4915 I just thought it was funny. Remember when people said that? Lol
@@Steampunk_Samurai yeah, I always got second. 🙄
I’m SO allergic to molds and compost, I get sick gardening, but I wear a mask and glasses. I love it, but had mold toxicity and moved, but was bitten 3 years ago by a rare and potentially deadly tick and have developed all these issues. Plus, there is mold and fungus throughout my new yards. Maybe the allergies will go away when I recover from all these infections! 🙏