I have been composting for several years now and I can say, THIS IS THE BEST VIDEO ON COMPOSTING I HAVE EVER SEEN! Your videos are like fertilizer for my brain. Thank you, Gardener Scott!
Amazing view about composting. I get 50Ibs of used Coffe Grounds a week from local coffee places. Plus once every 2 weeks get 20 Ibs on brewery grains. Actually, I do have a free source for carbon every 4 weeks I go to my local recycling plant/bin to grab newspapers. Once every 3-4 weeks get one of our local grocery stores gave me a pallet full of cardboard. Then I shed it in my wood chipper. As well as get 4 yards of wood chips. Feed part of it to my worms and the rest is in heat piles. Coffee Grounds have NPK of N: 2.1 P: 0.3 K: 0.3. People consider coffee grounds, brewery grains, wood chips, and newspapers/cardboard waste. But I consider it black gold with little work. Little money in the pocket considering it was a waste in someone else eyes. This will be my first yard upscaling on the amount of material I'm processing.
I love the shirt Scott. It's awesome to see that you're advocating for autism. My son has it an he loves to garden with me, and we are learning together while watching your videos. Thank you very much for that.
I live on a small suburban CA lot and only have room for one compost pile/bin. We add materials all year, green..brown..kitchen waste.. cardboard..paper.. Paper bags .. grass.. tree trimmings .. it doesn't have to be perfect, large or get super hot to work.. My cold compost (anaerobic) works very well most of the year. My pile is only big enough generate heat about twice a year.
Halfway through watching this video, I discovered a herd of javelina was going to town in my garden. They even ate my compost--both a fresh and a several-month-old pile. I guess that's confirmation that I made some good stuff!
In my previous comments I mentioned the free mulch program I'm fortunate in that I have a large area in which I can compost and I always add chicken manure therefore making a hot compost people recommended to turn this every couple days I found that every month is much better it keeps the temperature up it breaks the materials down much faster I probably have right now somewhere around 10 tons of wood chips and that that is probably mixed with around 30% green chicken manure
Very great teacher! My compost set up is working thanks to your videos . Bought a thermometer , turned the most recent pile and watched the temperature rise to 100 degrees F. , very excited to see this in the winter!
I've just discovered your channel and really enjoying it as I embark on my new composting journey. I salute the editing to include Celsius figures when you're mentioning temps in the video - us non-Americans appreciate that! :)
I've discovered your channel a few weeks ago. I love listening to you, it's both soothing and informative. Plus, it makes the winter (cold Canadian winter where I am) past a little faster :)
I have been devouring your gardening videos. I taught for 8 years and am very impressed with how well you research and explain gardening. Thanks so much! I can't seem to find a video of yours about cover crops. Do you have any opinion on them?
Thank you very much, John. Your question is quite prescient. My video on Friday will be about cover crops. I think they are an easy and effective way to reduce weed growth, build soil, and improve biodiversity... among other things.
I love all of your videos. I am a seasoned gardener and learn something new every video. Thank you for wearing your Autism Awareness shirt. As a grandmother of an autistic grandson. Gardening is a great activity for him. Thanks again
I just moved in to an apartment in the city with an amazing fenced in backyard, that nobody but me wants to play with! I'm so excited to begin working on it & I've been spending a lot of time on your channel getting ready!
Excellent explanations! You've made it so easy to understand and feel confident about my composting endeavor! You are a fantastic teacher! Thank you so much!
Try lasagna gardening so you dont pile compost piles . Do it in the fall! Layer green and brown like nature does. green brown green brown The last layer should be brown( dry leaves). Do it before it rains instead of wasting water
Thankyou so much for your channel. Love all your videos. Greatly appreciate the wealth of knowledge you give us beginners like myself. Blessings to you!!🙏❤🌞☀
I love the autism awareness shirt Scott, my son has autism and I am currently making a sensory/ mini food forest for us thanks in large part to your wonderfully informative videos. Thank you I truly appreciate you and your efforts.
When I had my allotment I had the space to make my own compost and leaf mould . Now I only can grow at home I do not have the space to make the large quantities of compost I would like to make. It is very important for the ground as it feeds the soil which then feeds the plants.I can make some for myself but not enough. Excellent stuff Scott keep it up.
@@GardenerScott I reckon you are glad when people comment on your videos , same here it's nice to hear back from you and know that you make time to do so.👍😃
I love composting and have been doing it for decades, but there is nothing wrong with a good review once in a while! Great video. The only thing I can’t understand is that I only recently found your channel! Klaus
My neighbor uses a bagging lawn mower anyway, and he's kind enough to drop off the bags of grass clippings on my yard for use in my compost pile. In the fall he blows his leaves over onto my yard. It all adds to my efforts at no extra cost to anyone and keeps the city from having to pick it up, too. So... ask around your neighborhood. :)
Dystopia Gear omgoodness! How do you keep up. I can hardly compost my own grass and leaves let alone my neighbors. Leaves are easier if I break them down with the leaf sucker on my blower. How are you able to do all that? Any tips
@@justmejo9008 Leave it in bags and build as you have the time. 20 min a day is plenty. Litte at a time goes a long way. or put it all in layers in your garden as they come. Preferably in the fall.
Explained in a simple way but without omitting the important details which facilitate the understanding of the whole process. Thank you for this great tutorial!
One of the TH-cam gardener guys always grows something in a batch of compost he has bought to see how it does before spreading it. A tomato plant is a good choice. His concern is aminopyralid herbicide which can spoil your garden.
Thank you for this video! I did finally make compost this year. It took me three years to do it though. Sometimes I got it toooo hot ….there were ashes in the middle of it. Only once did I get it yucky an anaerobic. But I still don’t know it all and I know I have a lot to learn! I have save this for future reference
Great tutorial! I make my own compost in a simple pile and it works, only takes more time Just a bit more lazy. Love your t-shirt of autism awareness. Regards from San Luis, Argentina
Thanks, I guess I should wait till after the heat has finished to mix piles together. I should probly keep finished compost damp for storage till spring.
I'm loving each and every one of your videos sir, thanks so much for making things easily understood. I hope to start my compost pile tomorrow and have listened to quite a few citing Bokashi as an additive ingredient to be watered in between the layers. Is it necessary to include this to help generate microorganisms ? I really want to get it as good as I am able and would really appreciate your advice. Thank you so much, best regards from a bedrock and orange clay environment.
Adding bokashi won't benefit the compost other than adding some decomposed material. Bokashi is decomposed by anaerobic bacteria and a garden compost pile uses aerobic bacteria. The bokashi bacteria will die in a typical outdoor compost.
One year I had a ton of compost so I spread it all over my front yard and it softened up that top layer so nicely that weeds just pulled up like they were in sand.
This was very helpful. I was doing good with my compost but I don't like that trash can muthy that much. We have a lot of waste. I want to put it on the ground and I didn't know how. You made it easy.
Hey! I work in the Springs and was talking with a customer about composting, and he recommended your vids! I used to go to Galileo too!! Must be a sign.. haha 😇
Gardener Scott, around the 4 minute mark you said you would do another video going into more depth on what are Greens and Browns. Have you made and posted that video yet? I've done a quick search and can't seem to find it. Your videos are turning into a great resource for my husband and I. Keep 'em coming!!
Thank you for your methodical approach of the subject matter. I never complained about worms until this summer. I believe that my compost, that is several bins piled atop the soil, have no worms right now. Temperature reaches 100-115 then starts cooling down. I am planning on turning one bin tomorrow and giving it enough moisture and see what happens. I understand that I am not creating the environment for the worms to visit it and thrive. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
To encourage worms don't turn the pile. By adding oxygen you increase the number of bacteria that generate heat. That is what quickens the decomposition. If you want compost fast, the trade-off is a reduction in worms.
Really enjoying your videos.. thank you. My question is that if I have too many greens at this time of the year for the compost bin, and I am unable to increase my composting capacity, do you agree that I add them into my soil, when I turn it over, since they will decompose in any case? Or is there another idea? Thanks again.
Grest video. Love how you explain WHY you recommend certain things. My compost is almost all broken down but the leaf ribbings and sticks are nit moving. There is not much heat now but there was a lot before. i turn it everyday and it's moist . Any suggestions? It's very therapeutic digging into that sweet black mess.
Thanks! It sounds like it's mostly decomposed. You can sift out the larger pieces and use the compost now or bag it for later use. Or you can use it as a mulch with the larger pieces too; I do that a lot when plants are actively growing.
Thanks, gardener Scott! I really appreciate that you take the time to reply. Is it better to use the compost or make one of those rea concoctions? BTW i watch the commercials on your videos because you said that it helps support you. I've been gardening actively for 6 months, starting with 2 tomato plants and 2 cucumbers and a dying rosemary and lavender plant. Now i have over 2 dozen plants in containers and I'm starting my second 4x6 foot raised garden bed and 2 papaya trees planted from seed. I also have a thriving worm bin. Thank you so much for being a dedicated teacher. I'm learning so much from you!
Thanks, Scott! I'm not a fan of most teas. I think compost as an amendment or mulch is better. Every time you water or it rains it creates compost tea in place. I'm glad to hear you're having such great success!
Success...it's measured by learning from others who go ahead of me, my victories and failures. I am grateful to God for the work he does in my garden and for teachers like you.
Hello again. Hope you don't get overwhelmed with all my questions. I started composting my chickens manure last year. Added as much browns as I could get. That was rough lol. Hens poo a lot lol. I managed to get it right. Was so proud of myself. It smelled like the best earthy smell possible. I added it to my garden beds. This year I did it differently. I couldn't get much browns so my arborist in town dropped of mulched tree limbs to me. That's what I have used. It does have an earthy smell but it still needs a couple more weeks I believe. Due to neglect. Not turning nor watering as I should. My question is this type mulch a great source??
I just throw everything in the pile and keep turning it over. Spring and summer are mostly pulled weeds and grass clippings and the fall I get the fallen leaves. It's ready usually by late spring and I run it through a sieve. It is a wonder to behold.
Carbon (Browns), Hydrogen (Water), Oxygen (Air), and Nitrogen (Greens), reminds me of chemistry 101. "CHON", the four main organic elements that form the building blocks that make life possible.
Hello Gardner Scott, I would like to dance and thank you so much for all the amazing information that you give to everyone out here in this country and in this world. I hope this message gets to you I know this video is couple years old at least that’s what it says on TH-cam. My question is I have a pine tree in my backyard and I receive a lot of pine needles from the tree what do use this in composting but I hear people say that the Pineneedles are very acidic and that I should be careful and using this in composting. Please clarify or let me know if the Pineneedles would be a good compost material. Thank you so much have a blessed day
I would suggest caution. Often they accept plant waste contributions from residents and you don't know if any of that contains herbicides, which could harm plants in your garden if you use it. Ask about the source.
Hi there. A very informative video. I’ve been composting for several years now. I do still have one nagging question though. Can I compost thorns? Ie Rose and Bougainvillea trimmings etc. I do use a mulcher so most things are small before I add them to my bins. Should I be worried about the thorns not breaking down and sticking into me later when the pile is finished. My compost is a typical home brew, sometimes hot and sometimes not so hot. Please guide me on this. Regards Malcolm
Yes you can. I compost rose cuttings. The thorns tend to take longer to break down than other plant material so there might still be a few with points when the compost is mostly decomposed. But I've never poked myself using the compost.
Good question. Laying a tarp or plastic sheet over the pile will help. I have the opposite problem and want to keep moisture in; the tarp helps that too.
I have a really good start on my compost pile, thanks to your information! I have a good supply now of garden and kitchen waste. I know I should not continuosly add to the same pile or the scraps will not break down quickly or thoroughly. What can I do with the never ending supply of kitchen and garden waste?
As you see in the video I have two bins and will eventually add a third as I get more waste. Just keep piling everything into one pile until it gets more than three feet high and wide. Then start a new pile if you have the space. If you're active with turning the first pile and keeping it moist, it can decompose pretty quickly and be ready to use in the garden when the second pile has enough volume. Then just keep the cycle going.
UK bro here. I got x6 woodbins roughly 1m square. I find no gaps work best for me. Re used plastic sheets and bubble wrap for insulating. Temps never go above 80c tho which i guess is wood bins but man that black gold. Roughly created compost to the amount costs of the timber bins in under two years. Everything goes in weeds the lot. Even asking elderly neighbours for garden waste saves em lumping it down the tip and i need to burn. Also with x6 bins birds are your friends when turning / emptying im guessing they think its food but they seem to pick out tiny bits of plastic for me to pick out. Surely they not helpin me? Also not a bad work out.
I'm impressed by your efforts. Reaching 80C in compost is quite an accomplishment. I will probably move to adding plastic when I get caught up with my garden build. Thanks for sharing.
I haven't seen this answered well anywhere - when you're talking about the ratio of browns to greens, are you talking volume, weight, or some other measure? I am trying to learn how to get my compost piles working faster.
That's a great question. It's easiest to think of it as volume: using four buckets of brown material to one bucket of green material, or four shovels of brown to one shovel of green. That assumes that the brown is dry and fluffy and that the green is more dense. By weight, it can be closer to one brown to one green. If I have compacted brown material I'll often do a layer of brown about six inches thick and then a layer of green about six inches thick, and then repeat that. That's where the practice and experimentation come in. Give it a try and see what works best for you based on on the material you're using.
I've made a 9x9foot pile and got it up to 70 degrees Celsius 10 weeks ago. I flip it every weekend and add water. After 10 weeks it is still very hot, around 50 degrees Celsius. I was hoping for finished compost in 4-5 weeks, but this is still hot after 10 weeks. Should I stop flipping it and adding water, or just continue until it is getting colder? Outside temperature started around 6 degrees Celsius and climbed to around 25 at maximum. I'm using mostly plant based food waste and grassclippings along with dry leaves and dry woodmaterial from my schredder. I also mixed in some soil and old compost, in small amounts. Thanks for your superb video's.
Hi Scott I used to make compost by myself but it is not enough. I have about 5000 Square feet for growing and plants, so I need to bring more compost. City of Los Angeles makes compost and we can pickup for free in different places in city. I take about 15 bags Each one about 50 pounds. When I fill up bags I feel real heat and it is warm Also evaporating. Those are black or dark brown. My question is how do I know which one is better? How can I test which one is better? Thanks
There are professional labs that can do testing and I'm sure a simple search can find soil testing labs near you. You can also do test beds where you amend your soil with the different compost and see the results of the plants in those beds.
Our friends and family generally fertilize their lawns 2-3 times per year when Scott's Weed and Feed. Can these grass clippings ever be used, like between fertilizing treatments? Or are the clippings off limits?
They can probably be used with time. The primary herbicide is 2,4-D. It does break down in soil and compost, but the half-life can be as much as a year.
We are making the journey into gardening this year. 2 part question. We have a plastic compost bin that spins. Is that ok to use? 2nd, what materials do we use for our first composting adventure?
It's okay to use, but I prefer an open bin. You want a mix of greens and browns, fresh and dried ingredients. For the bin you have, it all needs to be put in at once when you begin.
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I have been composting for several years now and I can say, THIS IS THE BEST VIDEO ON COMPOSTING I HAVE EVER SEEN! Your videos are like fertilizer for my brain. Thank you, Gardener Scott!
Wow, thank you!
@@GardenerScott I second that! Brilliant.👍
Hi you are wonderful. You teach us like a teacher. Greeting from Turkey. And thank you to speak slowly
Amazing view about composting. I get 50Ibs of used Coffe Grounds a week from local coffee places. Plus once every 2 weeks get 20 Ibs on brewery grains. Actually, I do have a free source for carbon every 4 weeks I go to my local recycling plant/bin to grab newspapers. Once every 3-4 weeks get one of our local grocery stores gave me a pallet full of cardboard. Then I shed it in my wood chipper. As well as get 4 yards of wood chips. Feed part of it to my worms and the rest is in heat piles. Coffee Grounds have NPK of N: 2.1 P: 0.3 K: 0.3. People consider coffee grounds, brewery grains, wood chips, and newspapers/cardboard waste. But I consider it black gold with little work. Little money in the pocket considering it was a waste in someone else eyes. This will be my first yard upscaling on the amount of material I'm processing.
Thank you, Scott. Enjoying the garden and learning so much from your channel.
I love the shirt Scott. It's awesome to see that you're advocating for autism. My son has it an he loves to garden with me, and we are learning together while watching your videos. Thank you very much for that.
my jaw dropped when you said a month. this is one of your BEST!!!
Best explanation I have ever heard, and I have heard many!
I live on a small suburban CA lot and only have room for one compost pile/bin. We add materials all year, green..brown..kitchen waste.. cardboard..paper..
Paper bags .. grass.. tree trimmings .. it doesn't have to be perfect, large or get super hot to work..
My cold compost (anaerobic) works very well most of the year. My pile is only big enough generate heat about twice a year.
Composting is addictive, and I’ve built mine into the sweet smelling pile that it is, today. Thanks for your guidance, Scott!
Halfway through watching this video, I discovered a herd of javelina was going to town in my garden. They even ate my compost--both a fresh and a several-month-old pile. I guess that's confirmation that I made some good stuff!
In my previous comments I mentioned the free mulch program I'm fortunate in that I have a large area in which I can compost and I always add chicken manure therefore making a hot compost people recommended to turn this every couple days I found that every month is much better it keeps the temperature up it breaks the materials down much faster I probably have right now somewhere around 10 tons of wood chips and that that is probably mixed with around 30% green chicken manure
Very great teacher! My compost set up is working thanks to your videos . Bought a thermometer , turned the most recent pile and watched the temperature rise to 100 degrees F. , very excited to see this in the winter!
Love composting. Nice tutorial and love your t-shirt sopporting Autism Awareness
Great video, love the shirt!
I've just discovered your channel and really enjoying it as I embark on my new composting journey.
I salute the editing to include Celsius figures when you're mentioning temps in the video - us non-Americans appreciate that! :)
Thank you. Enjoy the journey.
We are starting our compost bin. Thank you for sharing your knowledge 🙏🏽
Thanks for including the temps in Celsius!
You are very welcome.
Excellent video
You are a fantastic teacher sir! Your videos are super helpful. Thank you!
Thank you very much.
I've discovered your channel a few weeks ago. I love listening to you, it's both soothing and informative. Plus, it makes the winter (cold Canadian winter where I am) past a little faster :)
Good information
I could listen to you for hours... You're such a great teacher! The way you explain everything is so useful. 😁
Your knowledge is appreciated. It helps us new gardeners build on it.
Love it.
The most scientific approach i have ever seen on gardenning channels regarding composting . Well done !
I love how you break it all down. You are a great teacher, now I'm feeling confident in my journey of composting... Thank you 🥰
You can definitely do it.
“break it all down”. I see what you did there.
Almost like hes a compost heap of information bc he breaks it down so easily😅
@@zigzag2370 😂
@@serrielu8025 haha 😂
Thank you very much.
I have been devouring your gardening videos. I taught for 8 years and am very impressed with how well you research and explain gardening. Thanks so much!
I can't seem to find a video of yours about cover crops. Do you have any opinion on them?
Thank you very much, John. Your question is quite prescient. My video on Friday will be about cover crops. I think they are an easy and effective way to reduce weed growth, build soil, and improve biodiversity... among other things.
Great video! Composting has changed many things in my daily life and has definitely made a huge positive impact in my garden.
You’re an excellent teacher. I have been watching your videos constantly lately. Thank you.
I love all of your videos. I am a seasoned gardener and learn something new every video. Thank you for wearing your Autism Awareness shirt. As a grandmother of an autistic grandson. Gardening is a great activity for him. Thanks again
Thank You Very Much for your valuable information. 🙏🙏🙏
I just moved in to an apartment in the city with an amazing fenced in backyard, that nobody but me wants to play with! I'm so excited to begin working on it & I've been spending a lot of time on your channel getting ready!
I love the way you teach.......thanking you.
Ok, you convinced me, I'm starting a compost pile! Thank you!
Good for you! 👍
Excellent explanations! You've made it so easy to understand and feel confident about my composting endeavor! You are a fantastic teacher! Thank you so much!
Thank you, Lydia.
Try lasagna gardening so you dont pile compost piles . Do it in the fall! Layer green and brown like nature does. green brown green brown The last layer should be brown( dry leaves). Do it before it rains instead of wasting water
You are an amazing teacher! Thank you!!
Thankyou so much for your channel. Love all your videos. Greatly appreciate the wealth of knowledge you give us beginners like myself. Blessings to you!!🙏❤🌞☀
I love the autism awareness shirt Scott, my son has autism and I am currently making a sensory/ mini food forest for us thanks in large part to your wonderfully informative videos. Thank you I truly appreciate you and your efforts.
Like I said before, YOU SIR are the best gardener teacher for me and my wife ! God bless you and your family ! Greetings from Romania !
Thank you, Florin.
Many Core value for me ... Thank You so much.
When I had my allotment I had the space to make my own compost and leaf mould . Now I only can grow at home I do not have the space to make the large quantities of compost I would like to make. It is very important for the ground as it feeds the soil which then feeds the plants.I can make some for myself but not enough. Excellent stuff Scott keep it up.
It's hard to make enough compost. I know I'm behind what I need, but every little bit makes a difference.
@@GardenerScott I reckon you are glad when people comment on your videos , same here it's nice to hear back from you and know that you make time to do so.👍😃
I love composting and have been doing it for decades, but there is nothing wrong with a good review once in a while! Great video. The only thing I can’t understand is that I only recently found your channel!
Klaus
Thanks, Klaus. I'm glad you've discovered my channel. Welcome aboard.
My neighbor uses a bagging lawn mower anyway, and he's kind enough to drop off the bags of grass clippings on my yard for use in my compost pile. In the fall he blows his leaves over onto my yard. It all adds to my efforts at no extra cost to anyone and keeps the city from having to pick it up, too. So... ask around your neighborhood. :)
Great idea! Thanks.
Dystopia Gear omgoodness! How do you keep up. I can hardly compost my own grass and leaves let alone my neighbors. Leaves are easier if I break them down with the leaf sucker on my blower. How are you able to do all that? Any tips
@@justmejo9008 Leave it in bags and build as you have the time. 20 min a day is plenty. Litte at a time goes a long way. or put it all in layers in your garden as they come. Preferably in the fall.
Svetla Nikolova I will give that a go. Thanks
Explained in a simple way but without omitting the important details which facilitate the understanding of the whole process. Thank you for this great tutorial!
You're welcome, Isolde. Thanks.
First time the 3 bacteria were explained. As always well prepared well presented and thorough. Love this channel
Great videos!! You make it very easy to soak in, and understand. Rock on 🤙
Nice👍
great video scott this helped me a lot
I'm glad it was helpful. Thanks.
The light bulb just went on for what to do with the bits of thread and trimmed seams from my quilting projects
Thank you for your videos Scott. Ive learned a lot!
You're welcome, Nolan. I'm glad they've been helpful.
Thank you for the info, Gardener Scott. I love your shirt.
Thank you.
Love learning the science behind gardening. Thanks!
You're welcome, Michele.
You're welcome, Michele.
this was an awesome video! best one on composting ive seen yet :)
Thanks, Joanna!
I've become a subscriber recently. I am devouring your wonderful and very handy advice. Thanks so much for sharing all your valuable knowledge.
You're very welcome. Welcome to the channel.
One of the TH-cam gardener guys always grows something in a batch of compost he has bought to see how it does before spreading it. A tomato plant is a good choice. His concern is aminopyralid herbicide which can spoil your garden.
Thank you. I hope to be a big gardener soon enough. :)
Thanks!
Thank you for this video! I did finally make compost this year. It took me three years to do it though. Sometimes I got it toooo hot ….there were ashes in the middle of it. Only once did I get it yucky an anaerobic. But I still don’t know it all and I know I have a lot to learn! I have save this for future reference
Excellent explanation of composting. Thank you.
I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Great work, nice knowledge sharing
Thanks.
Great tutorial! I make my own compost in a simple pile and it works, only takes more time
Just a bit more lazy.
Love your t-shirt of autism awareness.
Regards from San Luis, Argentina
Thank you, Walter. I often like the lazy way too.
Thanks, I guess I should wait till after the heat has finished to mix piles together. I should probly keep finished compost damp for storage till spring.
Keeping the compost damp will keep many of the microorganisms alive. Good idea.
I'm loving each and every one of your videos sir, thanks so much for making things easily understood. I hope to start my compost pile tomorrow and have listened to quite a few citing Bokashi as an additive ingredient to be watered in between the layers. Is it necessary to include this to help generate microorganisms ? I really want to get it as good as I am able and would really appreciate your advice. Thank you so much, best regards from a bedrock and orange clay environment.
Adding bokashi won't benefit the compost other than adding some decomposed material. Bokashi is decomposed by anaerobic bacteria and a garden compost pile uses aerobic bacteria. The bokashi bacteria will die in a typical outdoor compost.
Amazing understanding about compost!👍 Would you please make a video example of the whole process of your composting from start to finish?🙏
I will.
Thank you, looking forward to it🙏
Thank you for all your advice!
You're very welcome, Rebecca.
One year I had a ton of compost so I spread it all over my front yard and it softened up that top layer so nicely that weeds just pulled up like they were in sand.
This was very helpful. I was doing good with my compost but I don't like that trash can muthy that much. We have a lot of waste. I want to put it on the ground and I didn't know how. You made it easy.
Hey! I work in the Springs and was talking with a customer about composting, and he recommended your vids! I used to go to Galileo too!! Must be a sign.. haha 😇
That's great! It's a small world.
Gardener Scott, around the 4 minute mark you said you would do another video going into more depth on what are Greens and Browns. Have you made and posted that video yet? I've done a quick search and can't seem to find it. Your videos are turning into a great resource for my husband and I. Keep 'em coming!!
That video is not up yet. I'll be adding footage to it over the season as I add garden material.
@@GardenerScott Great! We'll be watching and waiting :)
Thank you for your methodical approach of the subject matter.
I never complained about worms until this summer. I believe that my compost, that is several bins piled atop the soil, have no worms right now. Temperature reaches 100-115 then starts cooling down. I am planning on turning one bin tomorrow and giving it enough moisture and see what happens. I understand that I am not creating the environment for the worms to visit it and thrive.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
To encourage worms don't turn the pile. By adding oxygen you increase the number of bacteria that generate heat. That is what quickens the decomposition. If you want compost fast, the trade-off is a reduction in worms.
Really enjoying your videos.. thank you. My question is that if I have too many greens at this time of the year for the compost bin, and I am unable to increase my composting capacity, do you agree that I add them into my soil, when I turn it over, since they will decompose in any case? Or is there another idea? Thanks again.
Thanks! Adding to soil is a good option. More often I use them as mulch mixed with leaves and grass. And I'll bag greens to add to the pile later.
Grest video. Love how you explain WHY you recommend certain things. My compost is almost all broken down but the leaf ribbings and sticks are nit moving. There is not much heat now but there was a lot before. i turn it everyday and it's moist . Any suggestions? It's very therapeutic digging into that sweet black mess.
Thanks! It sounds like it's mostly decomposed. You can sift out the larger pieces and use the compost now or bag it for later use. Or you can use it as a mulch with the larger pieces too; I do that a lot when plants are actively growing.
Thanks, gardener Scott! I really appreciate that you take the time to reply. Is it better to use the compost or make one of those rea concoctions? BTW i watch the commercials on your videos because you said that it helps support you. I've been gardening actively for 6 months, starting with 2 tomato plants and 2 cucumbers and a dying rosemary and lavender plant. Now i have over 2 dozen plants in containers and I'm starting my second 4x6 foot raised garden bed and 2 papaya trees planted from seed. I also have a thriving worm bin. Thank you so much for being a dedicated teacher. I'm learning so much from you!
Thanks, Scott! I'm not a fan of most teas. I think compost as an amendment or mulch is better. Every time you water or it rains it creates compost tea in place. I'm glad to hear you're having such great success!
Success...it's measured by learning from others who go ahead of me, my victories and failures. I am grateful to God for the work he does in my garden and for teachers like you.
I love this video very much and really enjoying it . so, I can doing better than last year for my gardening.
Thank you very much.
Hello again. Hope you don't get overwhelmed with all my questions. I started composting my chickens manure last year. Added as much browns as I could get. That was rough lol. Hens poo a lot lol. I managed to get it right. Was so proud of myself. It smelled like the best earthy smell possible. I added it to my garden beds. This year I did it differently. I couldn't get much browns so my arborist in town dropped of mulched tree limbs to me. That's what I have used. It does have an earthy smell but it still needs a couple more weeks I believe. Due to neglect. Not turning nor watering as I should. My question is this type mulch a great source??
Yes, it can be. It provides different minerals and nutrients than a typical compost pile and that can be a good thing.
I just throw everything in the pile and keep turning it over. Spring and summer are mostly pulled weeds and grass clippings and the fall I get the fallen leaves. It's ready usually by late spring and I run it through a sieve. It is a wonder to behold.
It is a wonder. Enjoy it.
Alchemy for abundance.
Carbon (Browns), Hydrogen (Water), Oxygen (Air), and Nitrogen (Greens), reminds me of chemistry 101. "CHON", the four main organic elements that form the building blocks that make life possible.
You're right. Compost makes life better for plants. Thanks.
Love the shirt.
Hello Gardner Scott, I would like to dance and thank you so much for all the amazing information that you give to everyone out here in this country and in this world. I hope this message gets to you I know this video is couple years old at least that’s what it says on TH-cam. My question is I have a pine tree in my backyard and I receive a lot of pine needles from the tree what do use this in composting but I hear people say that the Pineneedles are very acidic and that I should be careful and using this in composting. Please clarify or let me know if the Pineneedles would be a good compost material. Thank you so much have a blessed day
Time, pine needles on the tree are acidic but once they dry and fall they are not acidic. They are okay to use in compost and as mulch in the garden.
@@GardenerScott Thank you so much Scott I hope you have a very blessed day
Hey freind thanks for the information
Thanks for great video. My city has a huge compost pile for the residents use. Is it advisable to use that in my vegetable garden.
I would suggest caution. Often they accept plant waste contributions from residents and you don't know if any of that contains herbicides, which could harm plants in your garden if you use it. Ask about the source.
Hi there. A very informative video. I’ve been composting for several years now. I do still have one nagging question though. Can I compost thorns? Ie Rose and Bougainvillea trimmings etc. I do use a mulcher so most things are small before I add them to my bins. Should I be worried about the thorns not breaking down and sticking into me later when the pile is finished. My compost is a typical home brew, sometimes hot and sometimes not so hot. Please guide me on this. Regards Malcolm
Yes you can. I compost rose cuttings. The thorns tend to take longer to break down than other plant material so there might still be a few with points when the compost is mostly decomposed. But I've never poked myself using the compost.
I'm in the Pacific Northwest. What do we need to do to protect our compost piles from getting too wet during fall/winter/spring?
Good question. Laying a tarp or plastic sheet over the pile will help. I have the opposite problem and want to keep moisture in; the tarp helps that too.
TeaThreePO tarps are great .. I have a couple plastic kids swimming pools I use through bad weather in the summer
Everything is connected...
I have a really good start on my compost pile, thanks to your information! I have a good supply now of garden and kitchen waste. I know I should not continuosly add to the same pile or the scraps will not break down quickly or thoroughly. What can I do with the never ending supply of kitchen and garden waste?
As you see in the video I have two bins and will eventually add a third as I get more waste. Just keep piling everything into one pile until it gets more than three feet high and wide. Then start a new pile if you have the space. If you're active with turning the first pile and keeping it moist, it can decompose pretty quickly and be ready to use in the garden when the second pile has enough volume. Then just keep the cycle going.
@@GardenerScott okay, will do!
UK bro here. I got x6 woodbins roughly 1m square. I find no gaps work best for me. Re used plastic sheets and bubble wrap for insulating. Temps never go above 80c tho which i guess is wood bins but man that black gold. Roughly created compost to the amount costs of the timber bins in under two years. Everything goes in weeds the lot. Even asking elderly neighbours for garden waste saves em lumping it down the tip and i need to burn. Also with x6 bins birds are your friends when turning / emptying im guessing they think its food but they seem to pick out tiny bits of plastic for me to pick out. Surely they not helpin me? Also not a bad work out.
I'm impressed by your efforts. Reaching 80C in compost is quite an accomplishment. I will probably move to adding plastic when I get caught up with my garden build. Thanks for sharing.
I haven't seen this answered well anywhere - when you're talking about the ratio of browns to greens, are you talking volume, weight, or some other measure? I am trying to learn how to get my compost piles working faster.
That's a great question. It's easiest to think of it as volume: using four buckets of brown material to one bucket of green material, or four shovels of brown to one shovel of green. That assumes that the brown is dry and fluffy and that the green is more dense. By weight, it can be closer to one brown to one green. If I have compacted brown material I'll often do a layer of brown about six inches thick and then a layer of green about six inches thick, and then repeat that. That's where the practice and experimentation come in. Give it a try and see what works best for you based on on the material you're using.
@@GardenerScott Thank you! I have three piles going, as well as a small compost tumbler just to see what they all do, this will help tremendously!
Glad to help. Enjoy it!
Fantastic video. Subscribed.
Awesome, thank you!
Will rotting citrus be okay in a compost pile?
Sure.
The Gardener abides.
I've made a 9x9foot pile and got it up to 70 degrees Celsius 10 weeks ago. I flip it every weekend and add water. After 10 weeks it is still very hot, around 50 degrees Celsius. I was hoping for finished compost in 4-5 weeks, but this is still hot after 10 weeks. Should I stop flipping it and adding water, or just continue until it is getting colder? Outside temperature started around 6 degrees Celsius and climbed to around 25 at maximum. I'm using mostly plant based food waste and grassclippings along with dry leaves and dry woodmaterial from my schredder. I also mixed in some soil and old compost, in small amounts. Thanks for your superb video's.
That's a nice hot pile. Turning the pile is adding the oxygen the bacteria need. If you stop turning you can expect it to cool.
How do you manage/remove weeds in gardens with rock mulch?
I try to pull them when when small to avoid getting established. Often, herbicides become the best option.
Hi Scott
I used to make compost by myself but it is not enough.
I have about 5000 Square feet for growing and plants, so I need to bring more compost.
City of Los Angeles makes compost and we can pickup for free in different places in city.
I take about 15 bags
Each one about 50 pounds.
When I fill up bags I feel real heat and it is warm
Also evaporating. Those are black or dark brown.
My question is how do I know which one is better?
How can I test which one is better?
Thanks
There are professional labs that can do testing and I'm sure a simple search can find soil testing labs near you. You can also do test beds where you amend your soil with the different compost and see the results of the plants in those beds.
Don't forget the little red worms that invade the compost pile. They eat and leave their waste behind and make great compost..
Definitely. They won't venture far into a hot pile, but will be very happy around the edges.
Oh ok thanks.
Which video is the one you went in depth with the greens and browns?
I don't have a dedicated green/brown video yet. I plan to release it in a few months.
Our friends and family generally fertilize their lawns 2-3 times per year when Scott's Weed and Feed. Can these grass clippings ever be used, like between fertilizing treatments? Or are the clippings off limits?
They can probably be used with time. The primary herbicide is 2,4-D. It does break down in soil and compost, but the half-life can be as much as a year.
I'm also living in Colorado (southern Colorado). Do you have any tips on keeping bears etc out of the compost pile? Thanks!
You might consider a barrel composter that is fully enclosed. I don't have a bear problem so can't speak from experience.
We are making the journey into gardening this year. 2 part question. We have a plastic compost bin that spins. Is that ok to use? 2nd, what materials do we use for our first composting adventure?
It's okay to use, but I prefer an open bin. You want a mix of greens and browns, fresh and dried ingredients. For the bin you have, it all needs to be put in at once when you begin.