I use shreaded cardboard, coffee grounds from our gas station (not decaf), leaves I save in fall, yard clippings/grass/kitchen scraps. I am not as good at turning my pile during winter due to snow, but I am changing my soil slowly but surely. I spread it in winter over my garden to protect my soil and compost in place if it is not ready. I am no expert, but it works because I have worms and bugs everywhere now. Never thought I would brag about having worms...😂😂😂. I appreciate videos like this (new follower) because starting compost is the most important part! We learn as we go.
I kind of do something similar. Where I live you can get a truckload of used coffee grounds and chaff (the bean shells) delivered for free. The grounds are greens, the chaff brown. Then I add cardboard, kitchen and garden waste, dried leaves, grass, etc. That way I get a reasonable mix of ingredients. If you think the compost isn't done, it still works as a mulch and will break down over time. Keep composting!
First time subscriber I have been composting for years on a small scale and it is black gold... love your vlog Thank You for all your hard word that really is a joy isn't it❤
😂🤣😂🤣 I'm going to tell my husband this. 😂. I'll have to break it out and learn how to use it. It's so heavy and taller than I am. I'll show it who's boss though, 😅.
So funny and true! I told my son (also named William) a few days ago that I was thinking about going back to the second hand shop and picking up a scythe for him to use and help me with the overgrown pasture. I'll have to tell him the pay is biscuits and gravy!
I use a mixture of a little of everything..fall leaves,small twigs,straw coffee grounds tea bags, food scraps,egg shells,hay grass clippings, wood ash,chicken poo,I let it sit thru the fall and winter and I spread it out over my garden in early spring..then I lay fresh straw,leaves and hay in the mix and I have what's called a lasagna garden, no weeding no tillingand easy to plant in by simply using my hands.
Wise beyond words, honestly. Don't let these excuses stop you from making compost. Because that what they are excuses I screwed up compost for over a year until I got it right, and now it's all I use in my gardens. Green, brown, water and a little love. All my gardens absolutely love it and it all come from my property Thanks for taking the time to make these videos. I've decided to make my 1 acre into a fruit forest in memory of my daughter who passed last June. Using your techniques
What a beautiful way to honor your daughter. I truly are sorry for the passing of your daughter, and can’t even let my mind linger about ever losing my only ‘child’ (He is almost 45 years old now). It was very difficult when I was 5 1/2 months into my pregnancy years ago, and lost my daughter. (As a result of the problem causing my loss of her, I couldn’t have more children). May you and I find comfort in being with them in Heaven. That has helped me so much.
Don’t forget to add some finished compost to your pile as it helps speed up the process. I usually add leaves and food scraps to my smaller scale compost bin. Great video!
I started composting in the '50s using my neighbor's fresh cut grass clippings + a little horse shit. If I turned the pile every other day it finished in 11 days in the springtime. Getting manure was the hardest part but turning was also a problem if I had to travel for work. I did it the hard way, for 45 years. I don't compost anymore to enrich my soil. I get fresh wood chips/leaves delivered in the fall or whenever possible. Shredded leaves are ideal. Just spread. It's simple, easy, and the more you can get, the better. It creates BLACK organic soil food. Don't pile higher than two feet (2'). Mist if dry and keep moist.
I'm interested to hear a little more. I have plenty of horse poop with cedar shavings, grass clippings and most other ingredients as I live in the country. What would be my quick, easy way to make compost. I also have plenty of very rustic cedar shavings and mulch. The cedar, of course doesn't really mulch too fast though.
@@kellyoliver1943 The leaves alone, well shredded, 10 to 1, mine were 15 to 1, are all you need. Mulch with them. For trees, wood chips are ideal, but take years to break down.
Man you're a young cat wish I knew then, your videos are always great. I'm 37 and didn't care about any of this before THE 19, but I made it through without the "medicine" I hope other younger people get into this cuz of you, they're gonna need it if they know it or not. Thanks man I know the work it takes to make videos. And I love the rants, Im sure you know as well as your old man about these red heffiers. Thanks again
We never got the juice and never got sick. 61 and 71 no meds completely healthy. Make everything from scratch, support local producers and grow some food
I like that you're making it simple for people who don't have access to manure, but you also give some of us new ideas who do have access to pond water. As always, you break it down so everyone can gain a better understanding, and I appreciate you for that. God bless you and your family 🙏🏾
Thank you so much brother! Make sure there's life in the pond before using it. They can sometimes be a collection pool for toxins (golf course ponds as an example)
Recently I've been reading about liquid dethatcher for my lawn, it was noted that you could also use it (the liquid dethatcher) in a compost pile. Didn't pay close enough attention if it makes what type to use. It would have the bio diversity of pond water but it would be something.
With some large oak trees around our lawn, I take advantage of the fall when most of the leaves have fallen and I leave the grass alone long enough to let it grow to a good 4-5 inches tall. Running over it all with a mulching mower with a bagger does a nice job of both chopping up and mixing the leaves and grass together. This is what I use for most of the bulk in my compost pile.
We collect 100's of bags of leaves every fall in our neighborhood. We have 4 four foot by four foot by four foot tall heaps made from metal pallets. Heavy layer of cardboard in the bottom, then leaves, tree trimmings, year old wood chips, weeds, grass clippings, kitchen scraps, shredded paper and cardboard which we soak before adding in as well as butchering waste materials. Chicken, Duck and quail poo with pine shavings as bedding. We layer it all in. Our bins are loaded with Red wiggler worms which have now moved into all our garden beds as well. When one bin is full we flip it to the next heap. We don't cover ours and the rain we get does a good job of keeping it moist. The chickens are able to get into the heaps and turn the top layers and search for bugs and worms. We end up with some gorgeous compost for our gardens. All winter I blend up all the kitchen scraps with extra water and pour into the center of the heaps. Haven't bought any soil in over 30 years and make our own potting soil just by sifting the compost. We cover all the garden beds with a good layer of shredded leaf mold and some aged wood chips and chicken poo and let it sit til we can work the soil and turn it in later winter early spring.
I found the best compost was last year when i took grass and leaves from the lawn mower, put it in 2 large 4x8 raised beds made out of a fallen fence…AND let the chickens scratch thru it. Beautiful black compost after winter (3-4 mos) I’m using in the garden now. Looking forward to this year’s growth.❤
Between this channel and your parent's channel, y'all teach the best information in the most digestible ways possible. Your family is invaluable to my permaculture journey. Don't tell Billy, but I'm diggin your channel more, here lately.
I live in a subdivision and found a guy composting in trash cans in discrete places. I think I’ll give it a try. Neighbors don’t like seeing big piles in the yard. Your videos help tremendously. ❤
That's what a privacy fence is for. I live in a subdivision & no one can see my compost pile in the back yard. It's also allowed in my area, so even if anyone did see it they couldn't do anything about it.
@Agraygurl lowes has a cheap big black trash can. Drill holes fill it mix and wet it and put the top on it. Dig a section and put in the dirt and let it go.
My back hurts just watching this!😂 I've done these in the past, on my urban allotment in London, UK, and it's hard work! Creates beautiful compost, though.
Okay, it was not just me.. 😂And I have never used a Scythe, but can hear the resistance. Ouch! Working on getting stronger just to garden better. Thanks for this makes it so much more simple!
Being dependent on government and corporations for our food has made people weak. Then they want you to pay them to go to their gym to strengthen up. Hard work for your own sustainability is very rewarding. My grandaddy did this kind of hard work all his life. Had huge gardens every year. He passed away at 1 month short of 100 and had a huge acre garden that he tilled and planted himself that year. I was always amazed at how strong he was for an "old man"
This video popped up when I went to Utube , and I’m so glad that I watched this video about 2 ingredients for making Compost. Also, he showed the steps involved and what we can use that’s perhaps on our own property. Very helpful in making it easier to understand. So, New Subscriber here Thank you young man.
thank you for your information. I have been making compost for years put I never thought about using a cow panel. I'm going to start that tomorrow. Thank you
Howdy again, SGB! You say your bin is roughly 42" high? So about the same measuring across the bin, too? We garden gnomes aren't all that tall, you know. I might need a step ladder to reach the bottom to smooth out my carbon layer. 😅 The rest of the layers, I think, I can toss over like I'm tossing over my midget brother. So Carbon first. Nitrogen next. Keep rotating midgets ... I mean Carbon and Nitrogen and cap with Carbon. Watering each layer as you build it up. Cover for 4 days. Flip the pile every other day starting on day 4 until you get to day 18. Water on each flip day enough to keep moist enough for a one drip squeeze. Tomorrow is mow day and I'll use the lawn sweeper to gather my greens from my neighbor's acre. I have piles of leaves still from last fall's leaf collecting. Lots of maple leaves. Thanks for the reminder of 18 day compost. 🧙🏻♂️ here's to midget tossing. God bless ya. Wu Tang out.
Thanks William! Great video as always. I ways going to go track down the Permapastures Farm video you and your dad did a while back and was pleased to see this video. Need to finally build one
William, thanks for the tutorial on making the compost. I live in Japan. You have read a comment of mine on your folks podcast, some months ago. Getting compost here is really hard and expensive. Now I can make some. My garden definitely needs it. Thanks again! -David_
Need more videos like this.....Need to get to know Mother Nature. Never know what will grow if you dont mow!! Thanks for this video as it gives me the kick and support I and we all need in the confines and rules in urban cities!!!!!!!!1
Hi William I made my compost for the second time and I’m so proud of myself the only thing is that I couldn’t turn it as often as I should because of my shoulder pain but it came out wonderful, learn from your father some years ago and a couple more older guys. THANK YOU ❤
Just found your channel great stuff. I started from scratch in zone 3A a couple years ago. Making it work (barely) despite current lack of a greenhouse. Needs a lot more work, as it was a pine forest. Great tips on compost and cover cropping will try that this year. Will be tuning in to your channel. Love the hat decal.
Hi William. It is great to see you have your own channel. I’m loving it! Been a huge fan of your dads PIMP channel for a long time. You got some great content. A question: Often times I have heard you said that the best thing you can do is add fertility to your soil and composting is a way to do this. I noticed you use a cage for the material before the first flip and I have seen this before, but I saw a video on the PIMP channel where he uses a cage that is on a mesh covered pallet and he only does maybe 2 or 3 flips. What are the differences between what he is doing and what your Berkeley Method of 18 day compost?
Thank you for this video. It's very helpful. I need to know the first steps in detail to prepare the ground for starting our garden. We have a small backyard and no yard on the sides. I'm considering planting in bags, planters, and maybe a raised garden. Health issues require me to take the easiest route and am gardening in zone 7b. Thx! 👍👍
I did this a few years ago. And I do thanks to you and your dad for getting me started. Now I have a big 4 by 6 two bin set up (Note) I am old so I don't turn it ever two are three days, but I do try to turn it every 4 or 5 weeks.
Thank you so much! There are a ton of ways to make compost. The reason I like this method (for beginners) so much, is because it gives you a ton of reps. You can learn a lot, very quickly.
Most newbies make the mistake of not putting enough water in the compost, a gentleman once told me that the water is how the microbes can move, and you should take some of your compost, and look at it under a microscope just to see how crazy it always, with all the different lifeforms
Hello William, this is just great! Thank you so very much. Just subscribed to your channel. I do apologize for the following question as I’m pretty much a beginner. When you say flip after the 4th day and then every other day, do you mean flip the whole cylinder upside down, or remove the cage and flip as to mix thoroughly with a pitch fork and then apply the fence cylinder and recover? Once again I apologize for the ignorance…
I built a similar compost pile about a week ago. I used the grass from my first cutting (the weeds behind the shop), leaves that I had mulched and put in a pallet corral last fall, and just bit of dirt from the bottom of a previous compost pile. I just alternated the layers like you showed (probably not as thick on each layer) but the leaves and the grass were both pretty wet, so I didn't add any water. The pile heated up to about 150 within 2 days and when it dropped below 130, I turned it. It's back up to 150 again. The grass was covered in white microorganisms when I turned it. I suppose that it is bacteria since the temperature is so high. I didn't use any enclosure with my pile. I have some 2x4 wire that would work well. Next time I turn it, I might try using some to keep it more intact.
That's awesome! You'll see some white organisms in my pile as well. It's called actinobacteria. It's not good but it's not bad. It's pretty common in hot composting methods. I'll show how to remediate it in Friday's video.
I'm really digging this method of stacking. I'm likely to try this. The only thing I might tweek is putting brown material around all visible parts of the pile to lock in the moisture and nitrogen a bit better. Thank you very much for sharing. Namaste
U and your Family are very awesome. Thank yall for this. Watch all your videos on the 18 day compost. But I don’t have cow or chicken manure. I just had 3 truck loads of crushed leaves delivered and I can add this. Thank u
I found a local stable that has a riding program for autistic children. They allow me to bring large bins and filling them for free. I have purchased chicken manure, it’s costly but effective.
I would be careful using horse manure. Horses are some of the heaviest medicated farm animals which can inhibit the microbes in your compost. If it's breaking down appropriately, then it's probably ok.
Great video and very timely for me. We recently started our first garden and I do not see myself continuing to buy compost. I love how simple this method is. It's great for beginners like me. I can easily source these materials. Question: can I leave the pile in the more shaded area of our yard, since we don't plan on utilizing that space as much? Is full sun important? #permacultureqanda
Hey William. My hubby and I LOVE your videos! We have watched you blossom from your parents channel of which we are also big fans. My hubs just tagged you on IG showing how he utilized the info in this video. He wanted to make sure to direct people to the detailed info you provide.
On my uncle's 50 acre farm. We used cow patties, chicken crap, and fish guts from fish processing plant. It was amazing the size of our healthy produce. We also did crop rotation, and rest the soil for one season.
I thought that looked a lot like my (North) East Texas! I've seen been watching all the best, most-popular, gardening videos and none are in East Texas. Thanks!
I don't have much for a source for nitrogen. We use an indoor compost machine for items not normally recommended to put in an outdoor compost pile. And use it especially in the winter, then dump into an outdoor pot when the machine gets full. When that indoor compost needs to be "harvested" we are suppose to add it to dirt and let it sit for 10-14 days before we can use it because of the microbes the system uses. However I'm trying to make an outdoor compost for our future gardening needs. Most of what I've been adding to the pile has been carbon based, especially since we moved in late fall and it snowed a couple days after we moved in so clearing leaves was on the bottom of our list. So far our pile is mostly leaves, some paper, some cardboard, some acorns. Some of the leaves that I've collected already started the molding process. There are some decomposing logs I found so I added those near the bottom. Was able to add a small amount of nitrogen this week... parts of strawberries and used coffee grounds. Where we are we don't need to mow yet... expecting a couple weeks out still, trees are just budding now. I've also read that pine needs take longer to decompose. Turning the pile about 1x a week. Pile is about 3+ weeks old. Any recommendations to help my pile??
We don’t have access to clean manure in my area, and I don’t have my own animals. This method is amazing. Even if you can’t turn exactly every other day, you can have compost ready to mulch with in a month or less.
This was one of the most helpful compost tutorials I've seen. Thank you! Question: You said you'll cover this with a tarp. Just the top, or sides, too? I live in AR and it rains a LOT (hey, TX cousin!). So, I'm more concerned about my compost being too wet than too dry. Had never heard of humic acid. Cool!
This is very helpful...i am based in the UK Cambridge. This looks very interesting. I have used Compost and making it for time...I'll keep a check 0n your site. Take care.
I have a very expensive large ride lawnmower and last week I decided to purchase a push mower just to save the grass clippings.. I guess I’m a pretty hard-core gardener now😂🤪 thanks for your Intel.😁
# permaculture q &a: In a nut shell, where to start if I'm moving on to a new land, what comes first and so on... housing, water, cover crops... thank you for your insight.
I have dug a hole in my front yard and cinder blocked in a three foot square area two blocks deep. I dug the hold deeper and filled it with half composted material. Then, I put a plywood cover over it for shade, and I call it my Micro-Coop (like a chicken coop for microbes). Well, I intend to put some red wigglers in there, as I have a bunch thriving here in my DESERT urban food forest (Tucson, AZ). My intention is to feed them with compost, or veggie slurry (leftovers) like vermicomposting, but also to add microbes I bring from all over the area. A trip up the mountain for a nice fungus run will be in order. What I want is to be able to get a handful of worm casting rich compost with a lot of life in it to make my extracts. This idea sprang forth while pondering how to keep a matured compost pile moist and viable. Where better than underground? LOL
Thank you for all the information you share. Will you please answer a debate on if you should plant seedlings that have gnats or should you wait till you have treated them.
Permiculture Q and A: William I see I had no idea what I was doing when I set up my raised bed. It was a spare of the moment thing. I piled brown green in 4 layers. I threw a bag of black cow in then Cardboard and black cow again and garden soil to fill. Sorry for the long explanation. The question is at the end of my session will I need to dig it up or will I be alright to just add real compost as it settles?
Q&A: William, doesn't look like my compost heap is decomposing. I have a 10' diameter pile of long pompass grass and cow manure with alternating layers that peaks to about 3'. (Most of the pompass grass was dessicated but some green mixed in and lots of manure) I haven't turned it since it is clumped together and heavy. I assembled it together about 4 months ago, wet it and now have it covered with a tarp. I've uncovered it a couple of times when it's rained to rewet it. It pretty much looks the same as when I started all those months ago. Any suggestions? Looks like churning it often is the part I'm missing. We do live in the desert which needs to be factored in as well.
Good question! I would say not flipping it is part of the problem but also the dimensions of the pile. Try to pile it as high as you can, otherwise, too much heat escapes from the sides.
PERMACULTURE Q&A: We have access to a kudzu patch that I considered using in my compost pile, however, my wife is concerned about introducing kudzu to our property. What are your thoughts on using this "edible invasive" in my compost pile?
Ugh, youtube is a nightmare for deleting comments. So I will try again. Is cardboard ok for the first carbon layer or are leaves better? I live in rural Appalachia and a trip over the state line to Tractor Supply is time consuming. On a side note, vitamin C removes chlorine from water as I understand it and you only need a small amount. I am not sure how vitamin C would affect the plants but my guess is that it can only benefit nutritional needs. Thanks so much for a simple, and brilliant approach to composting. I have watched so many videos that do show an extremely complicated process and it convinced me to go out and buy compost. I am thinking that is intentional. lol I will start the super simple fast compost method of yours today. Thanks so much!!
Enjoyed the visit. I'm using wood chips in my chicken coop and composting it with leaves ans kitchen shapes. This takes forever to compost. I'm going to start this method and see what I get. Thank you
Aspect Q & A William, what is the importance of layering? I understand putting browns on bottom and top layers to begin. However, once the bottom layer is in place why couldn't you be mixing the browns and greens together with a little more greens than browns in light of the fact that you used extra brown in the bottom and top? That seems like it may create a little more interaction between the browns and greens earlier in the cycle, or is it important to begin the process with them separate?
I have 4 compost piles going, 2 were huge, 2 are new. I need a TON compost or organic material to help change the density of my clay. I'm determined to do it. I'm planting a live cover crop on 1 section, mounded beds on the 2nd section with clover pathways to till in, mixing a crap ton of compost in the 3rd and 4 sections so I can plant in autumn. I have no clue how to deal with the rest of the 2-3 acres. The 1+ acres actually has a ton of nature food sources, wild onions, wild garlic, several edible wild greens, etc. I may just leave the 1 acre. I can take back 5 of the acres on the west side of our property from the ag farmer, but I don't know if it's good soil to grow strawberries in after the fields have been sprayed for so many years. I don't have any leaves at all. I've planted 60 the first year, but only 1 has grown due to having record hot summers. I have 360° no shade and the wind blows the leaves to the next county. I go to town 40ish minutes away and ask people for leaves, sawdust, wood chips, etc. This spring I planted 12 deciduous trees, an will have a movable leaf "catch" wall on the east side to catch as many leaves as I can. I have a ton of nitrogen sources. It may take me 3 more years to get my clay soil in all the ploys usable, but I am determined to make it happen.
I have a crazy question, could I create the same thing inground? I have a 8×10 space within in my 100x100 garden where a neighbor put a load of RED clay soil. I've dug most of it out and put on an out of the way spot. But now I'm left with this 8x10 crater about 10 inches deep in the center of my garden, I'm thinking of doing the layers of browns, greens and water in place then keep flipping until it all breaks down then create a flower patch. What are your thoughts on this idea? And/or stick with just creating compost like the video?😊
At what point are the brown materials considered carbon? Since they are all green initially are they all nitrogen initially and then considered carbon when they are dry like the straw and dead leaves, or is it a period of time they must go through to become considered as carbon?
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I use shreaded cardboard, coffee grounds from our gas station (not decaf), leaves I save in fall, yard clippings/grass/kitchen scraps. I am not as good at turning my pile during winter due to snow, but I am changing my soil slowly but surely. I spread it in winter over my garden to protect my soil and compost in place if it is not ready. I am no expert, but it works because I have worms and bugs everywhere now. Never thought I would brag about having worms...😂😂😂. I appreciate videos like this (new follower) because starting compost is the most important part! We learn as we go.
That's awesome! Thank you so much for the kind words!
I kind of do something similar. Where I live you can get a truckload of used coffee grounds and chaff (the bean shells) delivered for free.
The grounds are greens, the chaff brown. Then I add cardboard, kitchen and garden waste, dried leaves, grass, etc. That way I get a reasonable mix of ingredients. If you think the compost isn't done, it still works as a mulch and will break down over time. Keep composting!
You don't seem to worry about weeds? I know there's tons of weeds in East Texas
So how are you flipping it?
First time subscriber I have been composting for years on a small scale and it is black gold... love your vlog Thank You for all your hard word that really is a joy isn't it❤
Scythes are worth every cent you pay! Very efficient, ECO friendly, will run for 3 hours on biscuits & gravy!
That is funny! And so far, cheaper than gas! 😂
😂🤣😂🤣 I'm going to tell my husband this. 😂. I'll have to break it out and learn how to use it. It's so heavy and taller than I am. I'll show it who's boss though, 😅.
So funny and true! I told my son (also named William) a few days ago that I was thinking about going back to the second hand shop and picking up a scythe for him to use and help me with the overgrown pasture. I'll have to tell him the pay is biscuits and gravy!
Will run for 3 hours on Biscuits & gravy got me chuckling out loud lol can’t even deny it
😂😂😂
I use a mixture of a little of everything..fall leaves,small twigs,straw coffee grounds tea bags, food scraps,egg shells,hay grass clippings, wood ash,chicken poo,I let it sit thru the fall and winter and I spread it out over my garden in early spring..then I lay fresh straw,leaves and hay in the mix and I have what's called a lasagna garden, no weeding no tillingand easy to plant in by simply using my hands.
Wise beyond words, honestly.
Don't let these excuses stop you from making compost. Because that what they are excuses
I screwed up compost for over a year until I got it right, and now it's all I use in my gardens. Green, brown, water and a little love. All my gardens absolutely love it and it all come from my property
Thanks for taking the time to make these videos. I've decided to make my 1 acre into a fruit forest in memory of my daughter who passed last June. Using your techniques
Oh man, that breaks my heart. I'm so sorry to hear that. Please email me if you need any help or have any questions. Thank you so much.
And you don’t need to buy fertilizer anymore.
So sorry for your loss. Losing a child sucks beyond words.
What a beautiful way to honor your daughter. I truly are sorry for the passing of your daughter, and can’t even let my mind linger about ever losing my only ‘child’ (He is almost 45 years old now).
It was very difficult when I was 5 1/2 months into my pregnancy years ago, and lost my daughter. (As a result of the problem causing my loss of her, I couldn’t have more children).
May you and I find comfort in being with them in Heaven. That has helped me so much.
May you find peace and comfort that only the Lord can give. What a beautiful way to honor your daughter, may her memory live in your orchard ❤
❤❤
Randomness is a Resource. As Albert Einstein said, "Imagination is more important than knowledge." Awesome!
That's an awesome quote!
Don’t forget to add some finished compost to your pile as it helps speed up the process. I usually add leaves and food scraps to my smaller scale compost bin.
Great video!
I started composting in the '50s using my neighbor's fresh cut grass clippings + a little horse shit. If I turned the pile every other day it finished in 11 days in the springtime. Getting manure was the hardest part but turning was also a problem if I had to travel for work.
I did it the hard way, for 45 years. I don't compost anymore to enrich my soil. I get fresh wood chips/leaves delivered in the fall or whenever possible. Shredded leaves are ideal. Just spread. It's simple, easy, and the more you can get, the better. It creates BLACK organic soil food. Don't pile higher than two feet (2'). Mist if dry and keep moist.
I'm interested to hear a little more. I have plenty of horse poop with cedar shavings, grass clippings and most other ingredients as I live in the country. What would be my quick, easy way to make compost. I also have plenty of very rustic cedar shavings and mulch. The cedar, of course doesn't really mulch too fast though.
@@kellyoliver1943 The leaves alone, well shredded, 10 to 1, mine were 15 to 1, are all you need. Mulch with them. For trees, wood chips are ideal, but take years to break down.
My wife and I just bought a place on almost and acre, and we are so excited to get started from all your lessons William! Let's get growing!
That's freaking awesome! Thank you so much! Let me know if y'all need any help!
Good for you! I live on just shy of an acre and have been gardening for 3 years. Its been so amazi g and I’ve vowed to never take it for granted.
Congrats! Same here! 1 1/4 acres this Feb and starting to come along. Long journey ahead as we bought a fixer upper! Plans and plans to come 😂
Man you're a young cat wish I knew then, your videos are always great. I'm 37 and didn't care about any of this before THE 19, but I made it through without the "medicine" I hope other younger people get into this cuz of you, they're gonna need it if they know it or not. Thanks man I know the work it takes to make videos. And I love the rants, Im sure you know as well as your old man about these red heffiers. Thanks again
Thank you so much man! There's so much here that I can't respond to on this platform 😂. I'm glad you avoided the death cult!
Had zero booster juice, never got sick (I never do, no flu etc ever), I'm 67, and have a lovely kitchen garden ;)
❤
We never got the juice and never got sick. 61 and 71 no meds completely healthy. Make everything from scratch, support local producers and grow some food
I like that you're making it simple for people who don't have access to manure, but you also give some of us new ideas who do have access to pond water. As always, you break it down so everyone can gain a better understanding, and I appreciate you for that. God bless you and your family 🙏🏾
Thank you so much brother! Make sure there's life in the pond before using it. They can sometimes be a collection pool for toxins (golf course ponds as an example)
Recently I've been reading about liquid dethatcher for my lawn, it was noted that you could also use it (the liquid dethatcher) in a compost pile. Didn't pay close enough attention if it makes what type to use.
It would have the bio diversity of pond water but it would be something.
Everybody in Arkansas and Kansas has access to pond water, I think!
With some large oak trees around our lawn, I take advantage of the fall when most of the leaves have fallen and I leave the grass alone long enough to let it grow to a good 4-5 inches tall. Running over it all with a mulching mower with a bagger does a nice job of both chopping up and mixing the leaves and grass together. This is what I use for most of the bulk in my compost pile.
We collect 100's of bags of leaves every fall in our neighborhood. We have 4 four foot by four foot by four foot tall heaps made from metal pallets. Heavy layer of cardboard in the bottom, then leaves, tree trimmings, year old wood chips, weeds, grass clippings, kitchen scraps, shredded paper and cardboard which we soak before adding in as well as butchering waste materials. Chicken, Duck and quail poo with pine shavings as bedding. We layer it all in. Our bins are loaded with Red wiggler worms which have now moved into all our garden beds as well. When one bin is full we flip it to the next heap. We don't cover ours and the rain we get does a good job of keeping it moist. The chickens are able to get into the heaps and turn the top layers and search for bugs and worms. We end up with some gorgeous compost for our gardens. All winter I blend up all the kitchen scraps with extra water and pour into the center of the heaps. Haven't bought any soil in over 30 years and make our own potting soil just by sifting the compost. We cover all the garden beds with a good layer of shredded leaf mold and some aged wood chips and chicken poo and let it sit til we can work the soil and turn it in later winter early spring.
I found the best compost was last year when i took grass and leaves from the lawn mower, put it in 2 large 4x8 raised beds made out of a fallen fence…AND let the chickens scratch thru it. Beautiful black compost after winter (3-4 mos) I’m using in the garden now. Looking forward to this year’s growth.❤
That’s an awesome idea!
Between this channel and your parent's channel, y'all teach the best information in the most digestible ways possible. Your family is invaluable to my permaculture journey. Don't tell Billy, but I'm diggin your channel more, here lately.
😂 Thank you so much man. I'll keep it a secret
@@ThePermacultureConsultant what's your parent's channel's name?
Ha! I thought you were Billy's son! Nice job!
@@weavingrainbow9063 search Perma Pastures Farm
Which one is the parent channel?
I live in a subdivision and found a guy composting in trash cans in discrete places. I think I’ll give it a try. Neighbors don’t like seeing big piles in the yard. Your videos help tremendously. ❤
That's a great video idea! Incognito compost piles! Thank you!
what kind of trash cans. I live in that same kind of neighbor hood. Plastic, Metal?
That's what a privacy fence is for. I live in a subdivision & no one can see my compost pile in the back yard. It's also allowed in my area, so even if anyone did see it they couldn't do anything about it.
HOAs are the pre cursor to communism.
@Agraygurl lowes has a cheap big black trash can. Drill holes fill it mix and wet it and put the top on it. Dig a section and put in the dirt and let it go.
My back hurts just watching this!😂 I've done these in the past, on my urban allotment in London, UK, and it's hard work! Creates beautiful compost, though.
Yes it does! Thank you so much!
Okay, it was not just me.. 😂And I have never used a Scythe, but can hear the resistance. Ouch! Working on getting stronger just to garden better. Thanks for this makes it so much more simple!
Being dependent on government and corporations for our food has made people weak. Then they want you to pay them to go to their gym to strengthen up. Hard work for your own sustainability is very rewarding. My grandaddy did this kind of hard work all his life. Had huge gardens every year. He passed away at 1 month short of 100 and had a huge acre garden that he tilled and planted himself that year. I was always amazed at how strong he was for an "old man"
Good work will keep a body strong & healthy though!
This video popped up when I went to Utube , and I’m so glad that I watched this video about 2 ingredients for making Compost. Also, he showed the steps involved and what we can use that’s perhaps on our own property. Very helpful in making it easier to understand.
So, New Subscriber here
Thank you young man.
I loved that you dont let the small things stand in the way of the big things good on you .
I just started my first pile!!! I'm so excited! Thank you SO much for sharing and making it so easy!!!!! 😊
your bucket system is fantastic. simple solution to a significant problem. Excellent information too. Thanks for the straightforward delivery.
thank you for your information. I have been making compost for years put I never thought about using a cow panel. I'm going to start that tomorrow. Thank you
Thanks for posting and keeping it simple... Most people make gardening seem hard or even expensive.
Howdy again, SGB! You say your bin is roughly 42" high? So about the same measuring across the bin, too? We garden gnomes aren't all that tall, you know. I might need a step ladder to reach the bottom to smooth out my carbon layer. 😅
The rest of the layers, I think, I can toss over like I'm tossing over my midget brother.
So Carbon first. Nitrogen next. Keep rotating midgets ... I mean Carbon and Nitrogen and cap with Carbon. Watering each layer as you build it up.
Cover for 4 days. Flip the pile every other day starting on day 4 until you get to day 18. Water on each flip day enough to keep moist enough for a one drip squeeze.
Tomorrow is mow day and I'll use the lawn sweeper to gather my greens from my neighbor's acre. I have piles of leaves still from last fall's leaf collecting. Lots of maple leaves.
Thanks for the reminder of 18 day compost.
🧙🏻♂️ here's to midget tossing.
God bless ya.
Wu Tang out.
You got the recipe down! Don't throw your brother in 😂
Sounds like you have all the ingredients! Thank you Wu Tang!
#MidgetLivesMatter
Just found your channel. You have the greatest voice! 💪🏼🌻
Just subscribed. Don't know how I missed that y'all had talks own channel. Excellent.
Blessings, julie
Some more great info, short sweet and to the point. Thanks for sharing and teaching!
Thank you so much!
Thanks William! Great video as always. I ways going to go track down the Permapastures Farm video you and your dad did a while back and was pleased to see this video. Need to finally build one
😂 Thank you so much man!
Love this video! I love that you are using such common ingredients.
Thank you so much! I wanted to make this as easy and simple as possible.
William, thanks for the tutorial on making the compost. I live in Japan. You have read a comment of mine on your folks podcast, some months ago. Getting compost here is really hard and expensive. Now I can make some. My garden definitely needs it. Thanks again! -David_
Dude that's freaking awesome! Thank you so much man!
I love ALL The Permaculture Consultant videos!
I love the fact that you say this on every video 😂
Need more videos like this.....Need to get to know Mother Nature. Never know what will grow if you dont mow!! Thanks for this video as it gives me the kick and support I and we all need in the confines and rules in urban cities!!!!!!!!1
Thanks, Permaculture Consultant.
Wow. I love this information. Thank you.
Hi William I made my compost for the second time and I’m so proud of myself the only thing is that I couldn’t turn it as often as I should because of my shoulder pain but it came out wonderful, learn from your father some years ago and a couple more older guys. THANK YOU ❤
That's awesome! Check out the Johnson-Su method. It takes a lot longer but it doesn't require nearly as much work!
dude you rock William what a tutorial! Can't wait to try this..
Thank you so much man!
Thank you, as I am just starting to do composting.
Just found your channel great stuff. I started from scratch in zone 3A a couple years ago. Making it work (barely) despite current lack of a greenhouse. Needs a lot more work, as it was a pine forest. Great tips on compost and cover cropping will try that this year. Will be tuning in to your channel. Love the hat decal.
Thank you so much!
Thanks for share ing and helping! Just watched your video on the two ingredient compost and going to figure it out , I appreciate it!❤
That's awesome! Thank you so much!
Thank you!! I make my compost in a similar manner, but I like how you explain the quick results, albeit it still takes work to reach that goal.
As always from you- great simple content! Please keep it up.
Thank you so much man!
Hi William. It is great to see you have your own channel. I’m loving it! Been a huge fan of your dads PIMP channel for a long time. You got some great content. A question: Often times I have heard you said that the best thing you can do is add fertility to your soil and composting is a way to do this. I noticed you use a cage for the material before the first flip and I have seen this before, but I saw a video on the PIMP channel where he uses a cage that is on a mesh covered pallet and he only does maybe 2 or 3 flips. What are the differences between what he is doing and what your Berkeley Method of 18 day compost?
So easy and informative. I will follow this.
Thank you so much!
Thanks for simple and easy explanation
Thank you so much! That's the goal!
Thank you so much. Love your videos.
Thank you so much!
Thank you for this video. It's very helpful. I need to know the first steps in detail to prepare the ground for starting our garden. We have a small backyard and no yard on the sides. I'm considering planting in bags, planters, and maybe a raised garden. Health issues require me to take the easiest route and am gardening in zone 7b. Thx! 👍👍
Excellent vid! well done
Thank you!
I use fall leaf cleanup in my yard for browns, and lawn clippings and household veggie waste for greens.
That's perfect! You should get some pretty good compost out of that.
I did this a few years ago. And I do thanks to you and your dad for getting me started. Now I have a big 4 by 6 two bin set up (Note) I am old so I don't turn it ever two are three days, but I do try to turn it every 4 or 5 weeks.
Thank you so much! There are a ton of ways to make compost. The reason I like this method (for beginners) so much, is because it gives you a ton of reps. You can learn a lot, very quickly.
When turning, do I need to try to maintain the layers?
Nicely explained!!
Thank you!
Most newbies make the mistake of not putting enough water in the compost, a gentleman once told me that the water is how the microbes can move, and you should take some of your compost, and look at it under a microscope just to see how crazy it always, with all the different lifeforms
Hello William, this is just great! Thank you so very much. Just subscribed to your channel. I do apologize for the following question as I’m pretty much a beginner. When you say flip after the 4th day and then every other day, do you mean flip the whole cylinder upside down, or remove the cage and flip as to mix thoroughly with a pitch fork and then apply the fence cylinder and recover? Once again I apologize for the ignorance…
I built a similar compost pile about a week ago. I used the grass from my first cutting (the weeds behind the shop), leaves that I had mulched and put in a pallet corral last fall, and just bit of dirt from the bottom of a previous compost pile. I just alternated the layers like you showed (probably not as thick on each layer) but the leaves and the grass were both pretty wet, so I didn't add any water. The pile heated up to about 150 within 2 days and when it dropped below 130, I turned it. It's back up to 150 again. The grass was covered in white microorganisms when I turned it. I suppose that it is bacteria since the temperature is so high. I didn't use any enclosure with my pile. I have some 2x4 wire that would work well. Next time I turn it, I might try using some to keep it more intact.
That's awesome! You'll see some white organisms in my pile as well. It's called actinobacteria. It's not good but it's not bad. It's pretty common in hot composting methods. I'll show how to remediate it in Friday's video.
I'm really digging this method of stacking. I'm likely to try this. The only thing I might tweek is putting brown material around all visible parts of the pile to lock in the moisture and nitrogen a bit better. Thank you very much for sharing. Namaste
U and your Family are very awesome. Thank yall for this. Watch all your videos on the 18 day compost. But I don’t have cow or chicken manure. I just had 3 truck loads of crushed leaves delivered and I can add this. Thank u
I found a local stable that has a riding program for autistic children. They allow me to bring large bins and filling them for free. I have purchased chicken manure, it’s costly but effective.
I would be careful using horse manure. Horses are some of the heaviest medicated farm animals which can inhibit the microbes in your compost. If it's breaking down appropriately, then it's probably ok.
Thanks! ❤ I have a compost pile using oak leaves, grass, water and air. Great results so far.
That's awesome! Oak leaves can be difficult to break down sometimes.
Fantastic video my friend! I'm thinking I'm going to have to give this a go here soon. Will be a great way to get good medium made faster. Cheers bro!
Thank you so much man!
Great video and very timely for me. We recently started our first garden and I do not see myself continuing to buy compost. I love how simple this method is. It's great for beginners like me. I can easily source these materials.
Question: can I leave the pile in the more shaded area of our yard, since we don't plan on utilizing that space as much? Is full sun important?
#permacultureqanda
Hey William. My hubby and I LOVE your videos! We have watched you blossom from your parents channel of which we are also big fans. My hubs just tagged you on IG showing how he utilized the info in this video. He wanted to make sure to direct people to the detailed info you provide.
Oh awesome! Thank you so much! I'll be sure to check it out!
On my uncle's 50 acre farm. We used cow patties, chicken crap, and fish guts from fish processing plant. It was amazing the size of our healthy produce. We also did crop rotation, and rest the soil for one season.
That's awesome! The best compost comes from piles with animal products in them.
I thought that looked a lot like my (North) East Texas! I've seen been watching all the best, most-popular, gardening videos and none are in East Texas. Thanks!
I'm in DeKalb! Thanks!
This was great. 👍
Thank you!
I don't have much for a source for nitrogen. We use an indoor compost machine for items not normally recommended to put in an outdoor compost pile. And use it especially in the winter, then dump into an outdoor pot when the machine gets full. When that indoor compost needs to be "harvested" we are suppose to add it to dirt and let it sit for 10-14 days before we can use it because of the microbes the system uses. However I'm trying to make an outdoor compost for our future gardening needs. Most of what I've been adding to the pile has been carbon based, especially since we moved in late fall and it snowed a couple days after we moved in so clearing leaves was on the bottom of our list.
So far our pile is mostly leaves, some paper, some cardboard, some acorns. Some of the leaves that I've collected already started the molding process. There are some decomposing logs I found so I added those near the bottom. Was able to add a small amount of nitrogen this week... parts of strawberries and used coffee grounds. Where we are we don't need to mow yet... expecting a couple weeks out still, trees are just budding now. I've also read that pine needs take longer to decompose. Turning the pile about 1x a week. Pile is about 3+ weeks old.
Any recommendations to help my pile??
We don’t have access to clean manure in my area, and I don’t have my own animals. This method is amazing. Even if you can’t turn exactly every other day, you can have compost ready to mulch with in a month or less.
That's right! Thank you!
This was one of the most helpful compost tutorials I've seen. Thank you! Question: You said you'll cover this with a tarp. Just the top, or sides, too? I live in AR and it rains a LOT (hey, TX cousin!). So, I'm more concerned about my compost being too wet than too dry. Had never heard of humic acid. Cool!
Thank you so much! Only the top is being covered for now. It's good to let the pile have access to some airflow.
This is very helpful...i am based in the UK Cambridge. This looks very interesting. I have used Compost and making it for time...I'll keep a check 0n your site. Take care.
Oh wow, that's awesome! International composting 😎
I have a very expensive large ride lawnmower and last week I decided to purchase a push mower just to save the grass clippings.. I guess I’m a pretty hard-core gardener now😂🤪 thanks for your Intel.😁
😎 Welcome to the club
Thats me, I use my push to get grass clippings and the rider to do the rest where theres mostly weeds
# permaculture q &a: In a nut shell, where to start if I'm moving on to a new land, what comes first and so on... housing, water, cover crops...
thank you for your insight.
Love the video. I compost EVERYTHING ❤❤❤
That's awesome! Thank you so much!
I have dug a hole in my front yard and cinder blocked in a three foot square area two blocks deep. I dug the hold deeper and filled it with half composted material. Then, I put a plywood cover over it for shade, and I call it my Micro-Coop (like a chicken coop for microbes).
Well, I intend to put some red wigglers in there, as I have a bunch thriving here in my DESERT urban food forest (Tucson, AZ). My intention is to feed them with compost, or veggie slurry (leftovers) like vermicomposting, but also to add microbes I bring from all over the area. A trip up the mountain for a nice fungus run will be in order. What I want is to be able to get a handful of worm casting rich compost with a lot of life in it to make my extracts.
This idea sprang forth while pondering how to keep a matured compost pile moist and viable. Where better than underground? LOL
That's an awesome setup! If I dug a hole, it would just fill with water 😂.
I showed my friends your trick with the knife sharpening and all their expensive chef butter knives and now sharp chef knives again!
😂 Dude that's freaking awesome! If that video ONLY helped you, then it was worth it
@@ThePermacultureConsultant. What is this trick for knife sharpening? I could not find it in the video. Thank you.
@@Tigerchump he had another video where he went into sharpening all kinds of stuff.
Thank you very much for the useful information! AmosP
Super task. I add crushed egg shells to my compost. Great idea. ❤
That's a good idea!
Thank you for all the information you share. Will you please answer a debate on if you should plant seedlings that have gnats or should you wait till you have treated them.
Thank you! I would plant them. They are probably too wet and need some aeration.
Thank you for the video, brown on the bottom and top is good information for me, should make my piles go faster.
Thank you so much!
❤Great video!
Thank you so much!
happy gardening host, very useful
Thank you!
Are you layering for convenience? I'm premixing my greens with browns before I load the bin. Seems to work good and heats up FAST.
Everyone is good to give their opinions.
This was very interesting! But I wanted the final product! Show us the results please, in the next video? I just found your channel!
Permiculture Q and A: William I see I had no idea what I was doing when I set up my raised bed. It was a spare of the moment thing. I piled brown green in 4 layers. I threw a bag of black cow in then Cardboard and black cow again and garden soil to fill. Sorry for the long explanation.
The question is at the end of my session will I need to dig it up or will I be alright to just add real compost as it settles?
First time I’ve ever heard my name on TH-cam! 😂
-Stephen
😂 I forgot to mention that to you while we were on the phone!
Can you put a link to the scythe? Thank you for the easy instructions
Q&A: William, doesn't look like my compost heap is decomposing. I have a 10' diameter pile of long pompass grass and cow manure with alternating layers that peaks to about 3'. (Most of the pompass grass was dessicated but some green mixed in and lots of manure) I haven't turned it since it is clumped together and heavy. I assembled it together about 4 months ago, wet it and now have it covered with a tarp. I've uncovered it a couple of times when it's rained to rewet it. It pretty much looks the same as when I started all those months ago. Any suggestions? Looks like churning it often is the part I'm missing. We do live in the desert which needs to be factored in as well.
Good question! I would say not flipping it is part of the problem but also the dimensions of the pile. Try to pile it as high as you can, otherwise, too much heat escapes from the sides.
Thanks for sharing
Thank YOU!
2024 is the year I finally make some of my own compost! Thank you for the words, anything I make is going to be better than the stuff I can buy.
Absolutely! Feel free to ask any questions that may pop up.
PERMACULTURE Q&A: We have access to a kudzu patch that I considered using in my compost pile, however, my wife is concerned about introducing kudzu to our property. What are your thoughts on using this "edible invasive" in my compost pile?
Ugh, youtube is a nightmare for deleting comments. So I will try again. Is cardboard ok for the first carbon layer or are leaves better? I live in rural Appalachia and a trip over the state line to Tractor Supply is time consuming. On a side note, vitamin C removes chlorine from water as I understand it and you only need a small amount. I am not sure how vitamin C would affect the plants but my guess is that it can only benefit nutritional needs. Thanks so much for a simple, and brilliant approach to composting. I have watched so many videos that do show an extremely complicated process and it convinced me to go out and buy compost. I am thinking that is intentional. lol I will start the super simple fast compost method of yours today. Thanks so much!!
Hi should I worry about weeds in the nitrogen piles. I guess heat will kill seeds? Thanks
Enjoyed the visit.
I'm using wood chips in my chicken coop and composting it with leaves ans kitchen shapes. This takes forever to compost. I'm going to start this method and see what I get. Thank you
That's awesome! Thank you so much!
Aspect Q & A
William, what is the importance of layering? I understand putting browns on bottom and top layers to begin. However, once the bottom layer is in place why couldn't you be mixing the browns and greens together with a little more greens than browns in light of the fact that you used extra brown in the bottom and top? That seems like it may create a little more interaction between the browns and greens earlier in the cycle, or is it important to begin the process with them separate?
Are brown pune needles ok for browns?
Awesome ty.
Good one Willy!
Haha thank you!
Love your voice 😊but I’m learning 😊
Thank you so much Cynthia!
Adding a couple of leaves of comfrey, chopped up a bit and scattered through the pile will accelerate the composting like you wouldn't believe it.
That's for sure. Comfrey can definitely kick up the activity.
What can i use if we don't have fallen leaves right now? We'll have some in the fall!
I see that you are wearing Duluth trading company pants.
I wear those everyday at work and love them.
Good Job 👍
They're the best!
Thanks I have 8 - 4x4x6 pallet bins and once I’ve cleaned out the present compost I’ll use your system when I re fill my bins. Thanks CMAC82
I have 4 compost piles going, 2 were huge, 2 are new. I need a TON compost or organic material to help change the density of my clay. I'm determined to do it. I'm planting a live cover crop on 1 section, mounded beds on the 2nd section with clover pathways to till in, mixing a crap ton of compost in the 3rd and 4 sections so I can plant in autumn.
I have no clue how to deal with the rest of the 2-3 acres. The 1+ acres actually has a ton of nature food sources, wild onions, wild garlic, several edible wild greens, etc. I may just leave the 1 acre. I can take back 5 of the acres on the west side of our property from the ag farmer, but I don't know if it's good soil to grow strawberries in after the fields have been sprayed for so many years.
I don't have any leaves at all. I've planted 60 the first year, but only 1 has grown due to having record hot summers. I have 360° no shade and the wind blows the leaves to the next county. I go to town 40ish minutes away and ask people for leaves, sawdust, wood chips, etc. This spring I planted 12 deciduous trees, an will have a movable leaf "catch" wall on the east side to catch as many leaves as I can. I have a ton of nitrogen sources. It may take me 3 more years to get my clay soil in all the ploys usable, but I am determined to make it happen.
I have a crazy question, could I create the same thing inground? I have a 8×10 space within in my 100x100 garden where a neighbor put a load of RED clay soil. I've dug most of it out and put on an out of the way spot. But now I'm left with this 8x10 crater about 10 inches deep in the center of my garden, I'm thinking of doing the layers of browns, greens and water in place then keep flipping until it all breaks down then create a flower patch. What are your thoughts on this idea? And/or stick with just creating compost like the video?😊
At what point are the brown materials considered carbon? Since they are all green initially are they all nitrogen initially and then considered carbon when they are dry like the straw and dead leaves, or is it a period of time they must go through to become considered as carbon?