Comments on: Got Composting Questions? http://www.compostinstructions.com A guide to making your own compost. Mon, 06 Feb 2012 20:17:30 +0000 hourly 1 By: Steve http://www.compostinstructions.com/got-composting-questions/comment-page-6/#comment-2978 Steve Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:03:57 +0000 http://compostinstructions.com/?page_id=578#comment-2978 @Bonnie, Yes, you can compost in Alaska, the material will go dormant in the winter but should thaw in the spring and reactivate in the summer. I would avoid adding any material that would attract bears, like fruits, or certain veggies they might be attracted to. You may want to consider a worm bin, this way you can keep it indoors and fill it with kitchen scraps. Look up vermicomposting and see what you think. @Bonnie, Yes, you can compost in Alaska, the material will go dormant in the winter but should thaw in the spring and reactivate in the summer. I would avoid adding any material that would attract bears, like fruits, or certain veggies they might be attracted to. You may want to consider a worm bin, this way you can keep it indoors and fill it with kitchen scraps. Look up vermicomposting and see what you think.

]]> By: Steve http://www.compostinstructions.com/got-composting-questions/comment-page-7/#comment-2976 Steve Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:01:23 +0000 http://compostinstructions.com/?page_id=578#comment-2976 @tars, I doubt bran will cause any harm to your garden soil. @tars, I doubt bran will cause any harm to your garden soil.

]]> By: Steve http://www.compostinstructions.com/got-composting-questions/comment-page-7/#comment-2973 Steve Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:55:55 +0000 http://compostinstructions.com/?page_id=578#comment-2973 @Tim D. Jenkins, You need to turn the compost more often, this will keep the roots from growing up into the bin. At the very least you should turn your compost bin a few times a month and if possible once a week. @Tim D. Jenkins, You need to turn the compost more often, this will keep the roots from growing up into the bin. At the very least you should turn your compost bin a few times a month and if possible once a week.

]]> By: Tim D. Jenkins http://www.compostinstructions.com/got-composting-questions/comment-page-7/#comment-2952 Tim D. Jenkins Thu, 26 Jan 2012 23:52:08 +0000 http://compostinstructions.com/?page_id=578#comment-2952 I live in East Tennessee and have a compost bin that I have been using for about a year, have turned it several times when adding new material, I was removing the contents from the bin and found that the bottom foot or so of the material is filled with a thick matt of roots, the roots are growing up from the ground and taking over the compost. Why is this happening and how can I prevent it? I live in East Tennessee and have a compost bin that I have been using for about a year, have turned it several times when adding new material, I was removing the contents from the bin and found that the bottom foot or so of the material is filled with a thick matt of roots, the roots are growing up from the ground and taking over the compost.
Why is this happening and how can I prevent it?

]]> By: tars http://www.compostinstructions.com/got-composting-questions/comment-page-7/#comment-2930 tars Tue, 24 Jan 2012 13:02:29 +0000 http://compostinstructions.com/?page_id=578#comment-2930 Will I hurt the garden soil if I add bran? Will I hurt the garden soil if I add bran?

]]> By: Bonnie http://www.compostinstructions.com/got-composting-questions/comment-page-6/#comment-2927 Bonnie Tue, 24 Jan 2012 04:13:12 +0000 http://compostinstructions.com/?page_id=578#comment-2927 Can you successfully compost in Alaska? I live just outside of Anchorage. Winter is really long here-might be below freezing for greater than 6 months straight, and in the summer, bears are a concern. Any thoughts? Can you successfully compost in Alaska? I live just outside of Anchorage. Winter is really long here-might be below freezing for greater than 6 months straight, and in the summer, bears are a concern. Any thoughts?

]]> By: Steve http://www.compostinstructions.com/got-composting-questions/comment-page-6/#comment-2924 Steve Mon, 23 Jan 2012 18:58:37 +0000 http://compostinstructions.com/?page_id=578#comment-2924 @mattie, The type of composting you are attempting requires bokashi, you can do it without it but the bokashi helps. I found a video that will help a little: http://www.cleanairgardening.com/bokashi-composter-video.html I would dilute the liquid you have collected; it could be strong and burn the roots. @mattie, The type of composting you are attempting requires bokashi, you can do it without it but the bokashi helps. I found a video that will help a little: http://www.cleanairgardening.com/bokashi-composter-video.html
I would dilute the liquid you have collected; it could be strong and burn the roots.

]]> By: mattie http://www.compostinstructions.com/got-composting-questions/comment-page-6/#comment-2909 mattie Sun, 22 Jan 2012 08:32:05 +0000 http://compostinstructions.com/?page_id=578#comment-2909 Hello, About a month ago I got a 5 gallon compost bin, I live in an apartment, I had some old fruits and vegetables that I had saved and then I got started. The problem is that I have to much moisture in the bottom on my bin, I have read that I should add brown paper material but I don't have holes in the bottom of my bin for moisture to escape. Is this really a problem, I don't have anything to put hole in the bins with and would hate to ruin it. I have like I said, fruits and vegetables also with paper towels, brown paper bags and it is starting to smell like poop, will adding the brown material and paper towels help stop the odor. Should I pour the liquid into some soil for my potted plants and then replant my plants, since this is why I am doing it for anyhow. I am so excited and hope that I can continue making my compost. Thank you Hello,
About a month ago I got a 5 gallon compost bin, I live in an apartment, I had some old fruits and vegetables that I had saved and then I got started. The problem is that I have to much moisture in the bottom on my bin, I have read that I should add brown paper material but I don’t have holes in the bottom of my bin for moisture to escape. Is this really a problem, I don’t have anything to put hole in the bins with and would hate to ruin it. I have like I said, fruits and vegetables also with paper towels, brown paper bags and it is starting to smell like poop, will adding the brown material and paper towels help stop the odor. Should I pour the liquid into some soil for my potted plants and then replant my plants, since this is why I am doing it for anyhow. I am so excited and hope that I can continue making my compost.
Thank you

]]> By: Steve http://www.compostinstructions.com/got-composting-questions/comment-page-6/#comment-2868 Steve Mon, 16 Jan 2012 15:05:04 +0000 http://compostinstructions.com/?page_id=578#comment-2868 @Herb, This type of mold is not uncommon; it’s from a combination of the moisture and components being left in the pail. It's not harmful to your garden. Try to dump your pail more often, no longer than three or four days and thoroughly wash the ceramic counter top compost pail before reusing or at least twice a month. You can always rinse it out with hot water before adding new kitchen scraps if regular washing is not practical for you. @Herb, This type of mold is not uncommon; it’s from a combination of the moisture and components being left in the pail. It’s not harmful to your garden. Try to dump your pail more often, no longer than three or four days and thoroughly wash the ceramic counter top compost pail before reusing or at least twice a month. You can always rinse it out with hot water before adding new kitchen scraps if regular washing is not practical for you.

]]> By: Herb http://www.compostinstructions.com/got-composting-questions/comment-page-6/#comment-2860 Herb Sat, 14 Jan 2012 17:35:47 +0000 http://compostinstructions.com/?page_id=578#comment-2860 I have a small ceramic kitchen compost container...I put coffee grounds and egg shells in it. Now there is mould forming in it... Is this material with the mould safe to use as compost in my garden?? Thanks in advance for any help. Herb I have a small ceramic kitchen compost container…I put coffee grounds and egg shells in it. Now there is mould forming in it…
Is this material with the mould safe to use as compost in my garden??

Thanks in advance for any help.
Herb

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