Composting Tips Part 2

If you are adding ashes to your compost pile you should not add coal ashes they are toxic to plants you need to use firplace ashes. When using fireplace ashes you need to sift out the bigger chunks. Wood ash is a great source of potash. Some people use ashes as a bug Deterent.

Burning bannana skins, cocoshells, cucumbers and lemon skins and applying in layers to the compost pile increases potassium and phosphorus content.

Feather contain High Nitrogen.

When adding kitchen scraps do not use: oils, meats, or dairy products. Oils coat plant matter like varnish. Meat attracts flies and wild life.

When applying grass clippings to compost pile instead of "Grass cycling" dry it first and mix with something else dry like leaves or put them in in very small layers.

You must do layers for successful compost pile.

When using grass clippings that have been treated with herbicides or pesticides you should let break down for 1 year before using.

A compost pile that becomes to wet needs turned.

A pile of leaves will sit for a year decomposing. If you chop up the leaves they will break down up to 4 times faster.

Adding oak leaves makes compost acidic which is good for acid loving plants like blue berries.

Soil added to a compost pile is natures best Activator.

A seed once ingested and subjected to the digestive system of a earthworm will never grow.

A compost pile should reach 135 degrees F for a few days to make weed seed sterile.

If adding paper to your compost pile you should shred it first so it breaks down fast.

If you are going to add veg material or green material to your compost pile that comes from a diseased plant you need to burn the material first then add the ashes.

Cat or dog dropping should never be added to compost pile that goes for cat litter as well. This is because the cat/dog waste contains harmful and dangerous organisms that can cause blindness and other organ problems.

You can starta compost pile with material taken from another compost pile called "seeding Compost" this gives the new pile microorganisms and possibly earth worms as well.

A 2 inch layer of seeding compost can be put into your pile on top of every 12 inches or so of new organic matter.

Vegetarians can use things like alfalpha or cotton seed instead of bone meal or blood meal to add protein to compost pile.