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Shredded paper primary source of browns?
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Posted by
mangomara 9 (
My Page) on
Tue, May 31, 11 at 15:58
| I have a small yard and 1 tree that does not produce a lot of browns. We produce lots of kitchen waste however. I have been using shredded paper bags, newspaper, junk mail as my primary source of browns. I throw in some dirt from the ground occasionally and water it sometimes. Last month I made some decent compost. Is there any reason why I can't continue using kitchen scraps + shredded paper? btw, I have 2 compost bins; one is a tote with holes drilled in it and a lid, and the other is an Earth Machine that is ventilated and sits directly on the ground. |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Shredded paper primary source of browns?
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| Whatever carbon source you have on hand is good. (It would be a shame to send all that paper to the dump & have your kitchen scraps turn yucky!) |
RE: Shredded paper primary source of browns?
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| You are doing fine...Keep it up ;-0 |
RE: Shredded paper primary source of browns?
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| Small yard, but maybe you have some lawn. Clippings that you don't allow to remain on the lawn is a wonderful way to provide nitrogen to the pile. Nitrogen is what is used by the pile to break things down so any help in that department can help. |
RE: Shredded paper primary source of browns?
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- Posted by pt03 2b Southern Manitob (My Page) on
Tue, May 31, 11 at 18:28
| 'Is there any reason why I can't continue using kitchen scraps + shredded paper?" None. Your plan is fine. Kitchen scraps are usually decent N and paper products are decent C. Mix, moisten(if necessary), aerate, wait. WTG! Lloyd |
RE: Shredded paper primary source of browns?
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| Great!!! Thanks so much :) |
RE: Shredded paper primary source of browns?
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| Do exactly what you are doing - but this fall I expect to see you lurking around neighborhoods to get bags of other people's leaves - ha ha |
RE: Shredded paper primary source of browns?
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| Don't forget cardboard and egg cartons. I use them as bedding for my worms and also throw the extra in the compost pile. |
RE: Shredded paper primary source of browns?
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| Kitchen scraps and shredded junk mail are the primary components of my compost also. In the fall I have plenty of leaves, but I use them mostly for mulch and not compost. |
RE: Shredded paper primary source of browns?
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| That's exactly what I do along with adding a handful of leaves or sticks if I have them. I use 2 plastic garbage cans with holes punched and lids on for all my kitchen waste to keep critters out and use open bins for yard waste. I have had a tendency to let those cans get just a bit garbag-y because I hate to take up too much space with "browns" and run out of space for kitchen waste, but after awhile I find that if I add the right amount of paper and cardboard it stays fluffier and breaks down faster so that I can keep adding about as much or more anyway. Don't forget used paper towels & napkins, paper towel or TP rolls (just tear them into a few pieces). Although it fills it up faster, I add small amounts of these items to my kitchen countertop scrap container (usually grab the things that are right at hand generated in the kitchen or nearby, rather than putting these items aside for later or making another trip outside) because then there is already starting to be a green/brown mixture and they absorb moisture from the kitchen scraps. |
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