Composting 101 -- Making Compost in Composting Bins and Compost Piles

Tricia shares with you how to start your very own compost pile or compost bin. Get more info plus organic gardening supplies at Peaceful Valley, GrowOrganic.com http://www.groworganic.com.

Extra composting facts in our blog posts "Composting tips -- how to balance your compost bin" http://intheloop.groworganic.com/2011/04/composting-tips-how-to-balance-your-... and "What's going on in your compost pile?" http://intheloop.groworganic.com/2011/04/whats-going-on-in-your-compost-pile/.

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• composting bin
• intro to composting
• introduction to composting
• how to compost
• beginner compost
• groworganic
• grow organic
• grow organically
• compost
• compost heap
• compost pile
• composter home
• environment tutorial gardening

[DimplesDeep1]

can this be done in the winter months when its cold and snowing outside?

Thanks for sharing

[groworganic]

@DimplesDeep1 Yes, composting can certainly be done in the winter months. Just cover your pile with a tarp or a compost cover because if the pile gets soggy the decomposition will stop. It should be moist like a damp sponge.

[chest002]

At the risk of sounding totally ignorant, how does one store the finished product? After the compost proceedure is finished should it be mixed with peatmoss before applying to garden surface? What amount should be applied to plant life? How much is too much? I let my compost sit for a year and was surprised to see that it was loaded with earth worms. Did not have an imediate use for it so I need to store it for later.

[groworganic]

@chest002 Good question! There is no need to mix it with peat moss. Move the compost into your garden, where it will carry along microorganisms that will start their life process in a new section of your garden, and your soil will be improved. You can spread compost in a 3" layer around your ornamental plants, keeping it 3 " away from the stem of the plant. For a vegetable garden, you can lightly fork in a 3" layer of compost before you plant seeds or set our seedlings.

[groworganic]

@chest002 Good question! There is no need to mix it with peat moss. Move the compost into your garden, where it will carry along microorganisms that will start their life process in a new section of your garden, and your soil will be improved. You can spread compost in a 3" layer around your ornamental plants, keeping it 3 " away from the stem of the plant. For a vegetable garden, you can lightly fork in a 3" layer of compost before you plant seeds or set our seedlings.

[groworganic]

@groworganic If, after the suggested uses in the other section of the answer, you still have compost left, you can leave it in its own pile on the ground, or in a bin similar to the one you used to create the compost.

[alan30189]

I recently read on the Organic Gardening website, that the layered process is no longer recommended. They say that is is better to thoroughly mix all the ingredients and moisten. Kind of like a tossed salad.

[erfernandes1]

Thanks for the video! I too have the Rodale Book of Composting I picked up from a local natural garden and nursery. It was a great help for me getting started and your videos provides all the information needed for basics. Good luck on your composting and natural farming and keep up the good work!

[apaulanarius]

@groworganic Thanks for the video. I have been using the same compost bin and aeration tool for a couple years. I try to force the tool all the way to the bottom(with a turning movement) which when pulled back up really bring air into the system. It really speeds up the process. I can turn a full bin around in 3 to 4 weeks doing that plus I always save some of the finished compost to mix into the next batch to give it bump in bio activity.

[organicgardener66]

vwery good video it shows all about waht u need and ya i hope 5that hellllllllllllllllllpsss