|
| I started a compost bin about a month ago. I purchased it from Hayneedle. It must be working because soon after I fill it to the top, it's back down to 1/2 full. It heats up during the day and when I remove the lid, I see some steam.
My question is this: It probably won't be "done" till October or so. Should I store it in a bag or something till next Spring when I can put it down for new plants? Will it still be potent then? I plan to keep composting throughout the fall and winter but eventually the bin will be full so I will need to remove finished compost to make room for more composting materials. Here are the things that I am putting into the bin:
Thanks! |
Follow-Up Postings:
|
| It sounds like you're doing everything right. I put mine on in the fall if I have it, tilling it in. I'm not sure where you are but in my zone 5 the composting slows down during the winter months. So if I just keep adding to it all winter, in late spring I usually have more for the new plants. Not a lot but enough. I can't see the sense in letting perfectly good compost sit in a bin over the winter to wait for spring when it can wait just as easily tilled into my soil... :-) Val |
|
| You're hooked Lenore, you might want to think about getting another bin (or three, or four). ;-) Lloyd P.S. It is difficult to have too much UCGs but with some of the |
|
| You're right Lloyd! I also a pretty new to composting. I started with one bin and soon added another, then another. Now 3 bins later I'm wishing they were bigger lol ;) I put mine down last fall. Just spread it out over the established beds. Come spring, everything just loved the new addition! |
|
| Yes you can store until spring, but can also just spread it on any bare spots after harvest now, early fall, or all winter long. Depending on your zone your compost might freeze this winter, but continues to cure once thawed. It will lose a bit of it's potency, but is still good for the soil. By then you'll have more compost to add to it as well I'm sure! I have tried a lot of methods (open pile, pallet bin pile, circular chicken wire bin, sheet composting, plastic bins) & all of them work! It is just a matter of time, energy, location, & material supply. Great job getting the compost going so well & finding various sources for the ingredients. |
|
| There is no reason to "store" finished compost. It can be spread on soil anytime, year around, that you can get out there to do that. |
|
| My soil is so poor (Florida sand) and plot too large for small amounts of compost to make much difference so I store mine in old Rubbermaid garbage cans. Then when I set out new plants I dig a small hole where I want to plant, mix in my compost and set the plant in the middle of it. If and when I ever get large amounts of compost I'll spread it over my plot but I figure I'll need about 5 cubic yards of good compost to amend my garden plot soil properly. |
Please Note: Only registered members are able to post messages to this forum. If you are a member, please log in. If you aren't yet a member, join now!
Return to the Soil Forum
Instructions
- You must be a registered member and logged in to post messages on our forums.
- Posting is a two-step process. Once you have composed your message, you will be taken to the preview page. You will then have a chance to review the contents and make changes.
- After posting your message, you may need to refresh the forum page in order to see it.
- It is illegal to post copyrighted material without the owner's consent.
- HTML codes are allowed in the message field only.
- No advertising is allowed in any of the forums.
- If you would like to practice posting or uploading photos, please visit our Test forum.
- If you need assistance, please Contact Us and we will be happy to help.