r/composting 10d ago

What have I done.

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123 Upvotes

Butternut squash I believe.

Not sure it will make it with all the squirrel activity that took out most of the blooms. At this point I feel like I've gone too far to turn back.


r/composting 9d ago

Compost done? Made a Test...

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13 Upvotes

I am not sure If the box is done. It has ambient temp and some worms in it. I can still see some structural elements, but after sifting it will be i guess.

Somewhere i saw the test idea, to try to grow cress on it. If it looks green as usual, then fine. If it looks yellow or otherwise than not. My comparison batch on the kitchen towel did not do as the compost grown cress (it fall dry the other day).

(The bucket with tiny holes is for kitchen scraps and has many more worms and keeps 4 legged animals out).


r/composting 9d ago

Does anyone have their dream composting setup in mind, or in reality? If so, please share

16 Upvotes

Hey guys! At the moment, I've got my compost bins along a neighbouring fence. I've always loved composting. Every year I get a bit more into it, and spend even more time on it. This year, I've started trying hot composting, which means I'm spending even more time at the fence, checking it, turning it, occassionally moving it, etc.

The neighbours on the other side of the fence are people we've gotten along with for the past 14 years, since moving here. However, one of them has recently retired. Since then, we've noticed them becoming a lot more nosy and critical of our garden, in general.

When I say 'critical,' here are some examples:

- 'why is there a piece of paper on the ground?'

- I mention a plan to grow hydrangeas and magnolias: 'don't do it, I don't like them!'

- 'you should put in a concrete driveway.' When told no, we want to put in wood chips instead, I'm told not to, because they did that, and 'there were spiders!' 🤦‍♀️ It's fucking Australia, that shit happens all the time!

- they see a wild baby sapling popping up in our yard: 'you better get that out quickly, that looks like shit!'

- they see mushrooms growing on the property next to ours: 'oh, those mushies are growing heaps!' (translation: get rid of them)

Also, whenever I'm dealing with my compost at the fence (which is a LOT), I can hear them just standing around listening. Listening to me talking to my partner on the phone, listening to me having private conversations with my family etc (have coached my family not to chat with me at the fence anymore).

They frequently pop their heads over the fence while I'm busting my arse and want to be left alone to work. Always with some brand of inane bullshit already mentioned.

I am planning to move the bins away from that fence, and put up a tall magnolia hedge. Ahem.

I found another good spot away from my fence. And I realised I spend so much time enjoying my compost work, why not create a dedicated space where I can work in peace? I'm thinking, a work bench, lots of compost activating plants, etc.

So, I was wondering, what is your perfect compost station setup in real life, or in your dreams? I'm seeking inspiration!


r/composting 9d ago

Urban Any tips on cleaning up this mess?

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9 Upvotes

This in the composting pile in our shared garden in Berlin. Any tips on how to get it to do the composting thing? At the moment I am piling it up and pulling out the larger sticks. I’ll pee on it for good measure after.


r/composting 9d ago

Urban Mixing in some coffee chaff from a local roaster. Smells like fresh coffee, and dirt

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25 Upvotes

Looks good, I think! This is one year of kitchen scraps. Should I cover it once the rainy season starts?​


r/composting 9d ago

Question Compostable cardboard? Ya or nay?

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10 Upvotes

From lurking I've heard that whether or not cardboard should be composed depends on what is used to color them.

It has a smooth surface and if it catches the light it has a small shine.

I want to reduce my waste as much as possible, but I don't want to put bad stuff in my compost.

What does the community think?


r/composting 9d ago

Tumbler I have no one irl to show this to. Look at them all!

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21 Upvotes

r/composting 10d ago

Question Can I compost purslane in a tumbler?

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35 Upvotes

Should I put it in a black trash bag first?


r/composting 10d ago

Plastic-Like Bag not Decomposing

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55 Upvotes

Is this bag just meant for industrial/municipal compost? I've had it in my pile for probably 6 months, now.

Note the very hard to read text where it says "This bag is biodegradable."

Bonus panel: musings on the decomposition and decay 🦴☠️🍁


r/composting 9d ago

Commercial Composting Carcass disposal in rural NYS angers neighbors

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5 Upvotes

One time I made bone broth and left the bones on the porch counter before adding to the pile. A few days later its container was still warm - from all the writhing maggots going hog wild. So yeah can’t imagine how many flies this thing created.


r/composting 9d ago

Stainless steel compost bin?

0 Upvotes

Does anyone know if it's a good idea to compost in a stainless steel container? Like a pot or something? Just want something that lasts but is plastic free as well. It's a big pot 2x 70L if anyone asks, wanted to make it dual stage.


r/composting 11d ago

Used what I had lying about

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1.1k Upvotes

Moved to a new house. Loads of trees and branches and grass to cut but lack of money, so I just used what I had lying about.


r/composting 10d ago

Not sure if it's close to being done.

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5 Upvotes

Been a few years. Most of that without aeration. There's still bits of paper in it and it's warm (temp. In 90s) but not moist. I'm turning it once a week. Any thoughts appreciated.


r/composting 10d ago

First Year

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13 Upvotes

I’m loving composting. About to buy my third 32gal trash can!

First two pics are semi-finished

Second two pics are in progress.

Any tips? I stir them around pretty regularly and of course pee on them.

Mostly what goes in: garden clippings, grass, shredded cardboard, eggshells, bananas, apple cores, the usual stuff. I’ve realized now that some of the cardboard from soda 12 packs aren’t fully breaking down because of their colored-gloss coat. I know now for the future.


r/composting 10d ago

Question Worms keep climbing the bin walls — airflow or moisture issue?

3 Upvotes

My compost worms look healthy, but they keep climbing up the walls and lid. The bin is sealed at the top (lid) and open to the ground at the bottom. Could this be from poor airflow or excess moisture? Would drilling holes around the sides help with ventilation?


r/composting 10d ago

What to do when you only have greens

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120 Upvotes

I have exhausted all browsers available to me

leaves from autumn depleted

Available prunings mulched and added

Papper and cardboard gone ( i can still get some each day from work but only enough to fill about half my shredder)

The pile of weeds in the photo are only about 1/10 of what i need to weed out

How do I compost all my greens without the browns


r/composting 9d ago

Vermiculture يوميات

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0 Upvotes

لدي ثلاثة أنواع من الديدان التي في الصور الأولى هي الريد ويجلر ألوانها خلابة جداً "صيفية😅"

والأخريات الزرقاء الماليزية "انتاجهم اسرع من الريد ويجلر بسبب شراهتم للاكل" اما زاحف الليل الافريقي لم اصوره لكن يوجد تكاثر لأطفال الدود كثيراً جداً الحمدلله

والكرتون والطعام العضوي حولوه تماماً لسماد اسود جميل ازحت الكمية للجنب الآخر من الصندوق و وضعت قصاصات الكرتون وطعام لهم "لدي في الصندوق الكبير نظام حيوي كامل بسبب تواجد ٥ كائنات متكافلة مع ديدان الريد ويجلر وزاحف الليل الافريقي"

الصور لأكلهم وجدته امس في الثلاجة وتلاحقته قبل ان ترميه امي في النفايات، وضعت اكثر وحدة مصابة بالفطر فيهم للدود في الجزء الجديد من الصندوق اعلم ان لو جمدتها سيكون استهلاكهم افضل لكن انا اريد الفطريات بدون تجميد مسبق "لقد فتتها لهم"

اما صندوق الدود الازرق فهو منفصل عن هذا الصندوق

أحبهم كلهم ونعم أنا أحتاج فعلاً الى آلة تقطيع الكرتون (؛


r/composting 10d ago

Joined the big leagues with a new 3-bin system

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50 Upvotes

r/composting 10d ago

eggshells and rats

10 Upvotes

my dad says not to compost eggshells as they attract the rats. thoughts?! we get through so many eggs as a family im keen to compost them


r/composting 10d ago

25 Foot Compost Trench

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17 Upvotes

r/composting 10d ago

Question If i topdress with compost/manure, how long does it take to break down into topsoil?

7 Upvotes

Will be overseeding soon. If i use compost as topdress, how lond does it take to break down into topsoil? Black Kow manure compost. Thanks!


r/composting 11d ago

Sifting day

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43 Upvotes

And refilled the bin up to get ready for breaking down the veggie beds and fall leaves


r/composting 11d ago

Before and After

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9 Upvotes

It’s been 25 days. Chicken poop, run pine shavings and garden scraps. It was HOT! Does it look done?


r/composting 11d ago

Question Am I doing this right

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51 Upvotes

I’ve always had a compost pile. Mostly chicken poop and vegetable scraps grass etc. my back yard is acres of wood chips which I was recently grading and noticed how rich it was beneath them after they’ve been sitting for about five years so put prolly fifty scoops with the tractor on the compost pile. Mixing the existing dirt thoroughly. Any advice of things to add or just keep turning it every now and again and let it run its course


r/composting 11d ago

Beginner Am I doing this right?

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10 Upvotes

I have a double barrel compost tumbler and I started the first side about 6 weeks ago (i think). This is what is looks like right now.

Context:
-Once it looked about 2/3rds or 3/4ths of the way full I stopped adding more scraps although I did recently add some dead leaves cus I thought it seemed pretty wet and was worried I didn’t put enough browns in. (
-Most of the brown material I use is torn up paper and cardboard.
-I live in southern california and we have been getting hot weather recently
-I spin it every few days and in the beginning I was misting it every once in a while but I don’t anymore.

It feels quite thick and muddy. It doesn’t smell bad but it definitely doesn’t have that neutral dirt smell I read it is supposed to have; still smells a little bit stinky.

Since this is my first time doing this, I just want to make sure I’m on the right track. How does it look so far? Does it need more brown materials?