Composting for Beginners | A Market Gardener's Guide

Today's video is all about a simple recipe for compost making.

This video addresses: compost simplified, compost making for beginners, carbon and nitrogen, carbonaceous materials and nitrogenous materials, leaves, wood chips, compost temperatures, compost turning,how to start a compost bin, and more.

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[nextchancenow]

For easy gardening composting I’ve turned people on to using a large garbage can with a ton of air holes on the sides. Flip upside down and cut a hole in the bottom and add from there. Once filled, you can lift the can to free the pile up. Mix it as you reload the can, repeat or leave in place til finished. It’s like a sand castle mold, and keeps it easy and light lifting for elderly or physically limited people.

[mrspleasants]

As an older lady I have found a way to compost that does not tax me. I have three five foot high/wide/long compost bays. The middle bay has removable slats to allow access to the two outer bays so that I cab pull the bottom compost into the middle. I leave my compost for a couple of years because I put my chicken waist into the outer piles, as well as grass clippings, and household non-meat food waste. I don't turn, but I do layer and I have wonderful compost with lots of worms and good microbes.

[marywaldmann]

So glad you said that the compost will stink after the first 1-3 turns. I’ve never heard anyone say that and I would have been freaking out

[cliveburgess]

You all may already know this, but Starbucks will give you used coffee grounds that you can add to your compost, for extra nitrogen etc. might be helpful to someone.

[Blueblood]

Dude that's the most notes I've ever taken in a Youtube video. WOW that's a ton of helpful info. Thank you! (My notes below with some added worm stuff, because I like them too.)

Simple Composting Guide:

Start composting by making a pile of your kitchen waste and yard trimmings. Choose a place that drains well so water doesn't pool under your pile. If the area doesn't drain well, put down a layer of woodchips first.

You'll need a pitchfork to turn your compost pile and a long thermometer to check its temperature. Try to turn your pile a few times each year to help it break down.

Your compost pile needs a mix of carbon-rich stuff (brown things like wood chips and dried leaves) and nitrogen-rich stuff (green things like fresh grass clippings, vegetable scraps, and animal waste - but not too much animal fat because it breaks down slowly). Try to keep a 30:1 ratio of carbon to nitrogen, but don't worry too much about it. If the pile smells bad, add more carbon. If it's too dry, add water. If it's not getting hot, add more nitrogen or water.

When you add new nitrogen-rich stuff, cover it with dry carbon-rich stuff. If you've done it right, your pile won't smell bad. If your pile isn't getting hot enough, add more nitrogen-rich stuff.

Your compost pile needs to be about 3-4 feet high to work well. At this height, you can turn it effectively, and it will heat up properly. Smaller piles might not get hot enough.

Composting is slower in winter than in the warmer seasons of spring, summer, and fall. Keep checking the pile's temperature. If it gets above 137 degrees, turn it. Make sure your pile is moist - if you can squeeze a drop of water out of a handful of compost, it's moist enough. If it's dry, add water, but avoid using city water because it has chlorine in it.

After you add water, cover the pile with a tarp that lets air through and keep checking the temperature. Aim for over 131 degrees. If it's not heating up, add more nitrogen. If it gets hotter than 165 degrees, spread the pile out, add water, or make it taller. Putting wet, green stuff in the middle of the pile can help it heat up.

Rules for Certified Compost Managers:

In the first fifteen days, you need to turn the compost pile five times and keep the temperature between 131 and 170 degrees. This is to meet the rules of the NOP Regulations and Food Safety Modernization Act.

Adding Worm Bins:

Besides regular composting, you can also use worm bins, which is called vermicomposting. In this method, earthworms eat the organic waste and make nutrient-rich worm poop, which is great for your garden. You can keep worm bins inside or outside, depending on the weather, and they're great for composting kitchen scraps. Don't add citrus, onions, and meat or dairy products because they can hurt the worms. Keep the bin in a dark, airy place and keep it as moist and warm as a regular compost pile. Every 2-3 months, collect the worm poop and use it to enrich your garden soil.

[sarahlovesdonuts]

Jesse, I super duper appreciate all that you have taught me. I am new to organic/regenerative practices and would be lost without the No I’ll team. Also, your dad jokes get me every time.😁

[conradsutton]

Excellent video, Jesse. This is exactly the common-sense instructions and advice I've been looking for, to make a compost pile about the size you demonstrated. Well done and thank you!

[carissalizotte]

Great video. I needed this right now. About to get serious about this whole composting situation!
Great information and as always! Appreciate it! ❤

[cmac]

I'm so grateful for your efforts. These videos are more than informative, they are enjoyable and uplifting. Thank you so much!

[joshua]

I really appreciate the knowledge you drop on these videos. Thanks.

[midwestribeye]

We are being blessed with 2 rainy days here in IA. Having fun binge watching your and other's gardening videos. I'm glad I found you.

[BaruchHaShem]

I have never had success making compost. Now with my back pain I can't do all that turning, so I just throw everything in a pile, and maybe move it around once in awhile, but mostly it just sits there and rots. After several years I begin another pile. In time, I start planting where the old pile was. The soil is usually much better there than anywhere else around the yard. :)

[jeanmuehlfelt]

I'm currently reading through my "Complete Book of Composting" by J.I. Rodale once again. It's close to 1000 pages. It's great hearing young farmers using the basic composting techniques that have been around for decades. Thanks for the hands-on video showing us the steps to making successful compost. 😊

[WilliamFarwell]

jess you guys are amazing man thank you for sharing your life with us all your a dam good man !

[LY]

This is amazing. Thank you for sharing your wisdom.

[ZmokeYT]

Cheers to another year of No tilling. Thanks for the lesson!

[lunanother]

Love the content AND the music. Keep them coming!! Thanks for sharing!!

[SenorGonzo]

I live in an apartment so no compost pile for me. I use a worm bag. It takes care of most of my green food scraps and a good amount of card board too. And worms are just fun!

[nfinityfarm]

I’m about to inherit an established farm. It hasn’t been used as such for several years though. I am going to attempt to get it back on the rise. Using this channel to gather as much info as I can to help myself through the beginning stages quickly. Hopefully I’ll be able to master the farm 😅

[D-H-D]

Great work Jessie! We follow you from France, if you're ever on tour give us a shout. You have become one of my go-to/mainstays over the last couple of years. High fives all round!