How To Compost Like a Pro!

In today’s episode I will go over 4 four things you need to know to comost like a pro.

[jeffcampbell]

I have three 55 gallon plastic barrels w/ lids in which I drilled multiple 1/8” holes all over them for plenty of air flow. Over the years of my compost practice, I have noticed that if I place the right amount of nitrogen (greens) in my barrels with the (browns) carbon materials, I have never needed to add any water to them! In the end, my compost is a nice fluffy, black and earthy smelling humus with loads of worms all throughout! By the way: the more worms you have, the more worm castings as well! 😉👍 I grow BIG here! 😁

[bwayne]

I tried for four years before I was satisfied I was composting the right way. It isn't perfect compost but it sure broke down in a few months and it certainly boosted the fall or winterized beds. My garlic and asparagus beds are buried in several inches of it this winter. I look forward to next spring and composting again.

[clivesconundrumgarden]

1 our biggest adjustments was increasing the size of the pile. We had small piles and they never got hot. We start piles that our at least 4×4×4. It's made a huge difference. 1 small tool that makes a huge difference is a manure or hay fork for turning pile. Takes way less time and is much better on my back !!

[katipohl]

In my garden there is thousands of #CompostWorms at work and several big compost piles, mostly from horse manure. As a biologist I published scientific research: A large workforce of Eisenia fetida worms speeds the composting process up for months. No need for turning it myself. Hi from Germany.

[brusselsprout]

From this tutorial now I realize it was all the manure added to compost that ruined my second year garden. It actually made the soil appear dry. More thank yous.

[kathryncolton]

One of the most helpful composting videos I've seen, thank you! I actually started my FIRST successful hot compost pile this fall :) Been turning it every 7-14 days (what a workout! phew...), and adding a little green material each time. So far, so good! I hope I'll have something amazing to fertilize my garden next spring.

[joshuab]

Steps to compost.
1. Accept that it takes time, is a function of what you have to put into it, and depends on the time of the year (rain fall and heat)
2. Learn what are greens (nitrogen) and browns
3. Make a pile (don't worry about the size, you can even do it in a can - just make sure it can get oxygen)
4. Wait --- you can turn it from time to time to give more oxygen, but you don't have to and you can do it too much too!
5. Adjust - slow and no real smell, add more green; smells bad, add more brown; very dry, add water -- should just be moist;
6. Be patient and you will have good compost --- once you get going you will only need it to top off your beds once or twice a year anyways
Tip, if you are just starting and have a new pile, throw in handful of organic fert. The nitrogen will kick start it and many organic ferts have beneficial bacteria added that will aid.
Tip, if you already have compost, leave a little bit when you start your new pile --- same reason as the last tip.
Lastly --- just relax! Everyone I ever knew that had trouble with compost was because they made it too hard!

[johncaswell]

Something different that seems to work for me, you want many of the same bacteria in a compost pile that you do in a healthy aquarium, so I use some aquarium water from water changes sometimes to moisten the compost pile. It seems to give it a bit of a kickstart. I wouldn't use any water from a tank that I was treating for any disease, most aquarium meds contain a lot of copper that you may not want in your compost.

[familyforever]

Thank you so much for this!! I have been composting for almost 2 years and I never really fully understood it until now. I’ve been trying to get it right and I’ve been trying to incorporate it into my backyard garden. You are amazing For giving us the knowledge and helping soil become better. I applaud you! 🌏🌱🌻

[jimsgardenproject]

I’ve gotten to the point that most of my beds are compost now. Took about 4 years. All my large potted plant pots I half fill with semi broken down compost each spring then fill with reconditioned soil to grow in. I’m at the point I just fill my compost and let it go for a few months at least. mostly because I’m tired of impatiently waiting for it to be ready. The watched pot syndrome. So now I’m putting my energy elsewhere. In fall is my big pileup of materials and those larger pots of soil to layer with. By spring I start all over again. In spring I think all told I may buy 6 or 8 bags of soil to have just in case. Sometimes I buy it just to mix in with the compost but probably don’t need it. Great explanation of the differences in material and how it breaks down for our specific needs. Very helpful. Thanks Luke

[memorysmaid]

This is a wonderfully helpful video--such a clear description of the composting process and purposes. Thank you for providing this information, Luke!

[kimberleehuckeba]

Luke I have watched MANY composting videos but YOURS was the best! Explaining things I was doing, bit need to do better to get compost faster than a year! Great information

[AlbathFamilyHomestead]

I'm using Animal manure, now I'm starting to think differently, I thought pure goat manure is perfect enough but now I've learned a lot and I'll change my way of composting, thanks so much🙏🙏

[steveo_o]

I have two piles, 1 with wood chips and another with manure, greens and browns. In spring I'm mixing both piles.

[mandybraden]

Really appreciated all this info! My grandparents were dairy farmers and grew everything!🤗 they taught me and my cousins so much and the way, my papaw would compost, has kept me scratching my head for years cause I just couldn’t get the out turn that he always did. Wishing he was still here to continue his teachings has been my thought for years now but you certainly hit on some keys points that’s jogged my memory and I’m very thankful, I watched! Many blessings to you and your family throughout the holidays! Thanks again!🤗👊

[Gkrissy]

I use a lot of food scraps in my compost and leaves. think the key of my compost breaking down in 1-2 months like Luke said, is turning it. I turn my compost every few days in the summer and less often in the winter.

[hannaolsson]

Best explaination I have heard without overcomplicating it ❤

[sandybayes]

Thanks for the compost lesson! Much appreciated.

[charlestessier]

Great video again Luke. Like you, I like the hot compost method which I successfully proceeded to accomplish in spring and fall. Around my place without needing to go far-no more than 2 or 3 blocks away- I can get more dead leaves than one would know what to do with. With so many trees lining the sides of the streets I was able to prepare next spring’s hot compost pile. I will also venture to try -at least that’s the plan- to mulch up leaves and place in a black bag to do a winter compost. Will be my very first try at it so there’s a little bit of a 
‘’ here goes’ kind of thing that will be going on hoping it will work out well.

[desertflower]

Loved this complete explanation. A lot of help!