Comments on: Compost 101 http://bungalow23.com/2007/07/14/compost-101/ The home improvement journal of a 1923 Arts and Crafts bungalow Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:31:26 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Barbara http://bungalow23.com/2007/07/14/compost-101/comment-page-1/#comment-1405 Barbara Sat, 25 Jul 2009 11:38:04 +0000 http://bungalow23.com/?p=222#comment-1405 This is some good info although I agree about the ash - in fact I find it safer not to use it at all. Manure from herbivores is great - hamsters in particular are a great source. Also if you have an aquarium, add any algae or plants you no longer want. This is some good info although I agree about the ash – in fact I find it safer not to use it at all. Manure from herbivores is great – hamsters in particular are a great source. Also if you have an aquarium, add any algae or plants you no longer want.

]]> By: Josh http://bungalow23.com/2007/07/14/compost-101/comment-page-1/#comment-474 Josh Wed, 18 Jul 2007 01:55:41 +0000 http://bungalow23.com/?p=222#comment-474 We don't put much grass in our composter, but that's because we have a push-reel mower that leaves the clippings on the yard. On the other hand, we eat lots of bananas and I'm sure our compost is unusually high in banana peels. Everyone has his/her own recipe. We don’t put much grass in our composter, but that’s because we have a push-reel mower that leaves the clippings on the yard. On the other hand, we eat lots of bananas and I’m sure our compost is unusually high in banana peels. Everyone has his/her own recipe.

]]> By: 1916home.net http://bungalow23.com/2007/07/14/compost-101/comment-page-1/#comment-473 1916home.net Tue, 17 Jul 2007 23:07:57 +0000 http://bungalow23.com/?p=222#comment-473 I built our composter, roughly to the size of the Garden Gourmet Composter and because my grass is growing so awesome, ive now filled up our composter in two months! Im now scratching my head what to do next time I need to cut the grass. I built our composter, roughly to the size of the Garden Gourmet Composter and because my grass is growing so awesome, ive now filled up our composter in two months! Im now scratching my head what to do next time I need to cut the grass.

]]> By: Josh http://bungalow23.com/2007/07/14/compost-101/comment-page-1/#comment-475 Josh Sun, 15 Jul 2007 13:48:32 +0000 http://bungalow23.com/?p=222#comment-475 @Jason: Although I haven't stuck a thermometer in our compost in the middle of January (an interesting idea to try!) I understand that compost containers help keep a warmer internal temperature allowing the composting process to continue at a slower rate through our cold Minnesota winters. We keep adding to the compost bin over the winter and make our "withdrawals" in the spring. @Anna: Thanks for the welcome tip about ash. We use our fireplace quite a bit and we only compost a fraction of our ashes. That 3% maximum is a helpful guide. @Jason: Although I haven’t stuck a thermometer in our compost in the middle of January (an interesting idea to try!) I understand that compost containers help keep a warmer internal temperature allowing the composting process to continue at a slower rate through our cold Minnesota winters. We keep adding to the compost bin over the winter and make our “withdrawals” in the spring.

@Anna: Thanks for the welcome tip about ash. We use our fireplace quite a bit and we only compost a fraction of our ashes. That 3% maximum is a helpful guide.

]]> By: Anna http://bungalow23.com/2007/07/14/compost-101/comment-page-1/#comment-477 Anna Sun, 15 Jul 2007 06:40:16 +0000 http://bungalow23.com/?p=222#comment-477 We've been composting for years now and what I really like about it is the fact that "everyone" benefits from it: We have great compost that really makes a difference in the garden and on the other hand, you can reduce your waste accumulation up to 40% in a really easy way. Allow me one little addition to your post: Fireplace ashes should not exceed 3% of your composting material - otherwise you'd have too many mineral nutrients in your compost and would in the end over-fertilize your garden. We’ve been composting for years now and what I really like about it is the fact that “everyone” benefits from it: We have great compost that really makes a difference in the garden and on the other hand, you can reduce your waste accumulation up to 40% in a really easy way.

Allow me one little addition to your post: Fireplace ashes should not exceed 3% of your composting material – otherwise you’d have too many mineral nutrients in your compost and would in the end over-fertilize your garden.

]]> By: Jason http://bungalow23.com/2007/07/14/compost-101/comment-page-1/#comment-476 Jason Sun, 15 Jul 2007 04:54:24 +0000 http://bungalow23.com/?p=222#comment-476 Interesting post. How do the seasonal temperature changes affect the composting you do? Interesting post. How do the seasonal temperature changes affect the composting you do?

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