I think it's crossed my path before - I have mixed feelings about big, expensive devices for composting - and anxious about anything that is made of any kind of plastic ("the safest" doesn't mean much to me). How do you feel about it?
It feels like a bougie, consumerist approach to composting, and it’s not big enough to really make much compost. I do like the idea of the lid, but I thank I can pull this off better myself.
haha, yes. this is (uncensored) exactly how i feel, too - i just try to be a little pragmatic in how i talk about it, because i dont want to to accidentally offend or bum somebody out
Hey! Love the newsletter. I've got a nerdy composting question: I try to compost my milk cartons and paper take-away containers lined with PLA (polylactic acid), but the plastic doesn't break down quickly in my bin. Is there any reason I shouldn't burn items with PLA liners before putting them in my compost? Thanks!
Thank you so much! Just out of curiosity (and apologies if this is a dumb or obvious question) - but are you shredding the paper containers before you add them? Or just crunching them up? Any shredding you do will help expedite decomposition a *lot* - even for tougher to break down items. Unfortunately, PLA *is* toxic when burned. It can release VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds), which aren't good for health :(
Okay, I just read every post up to this one and now I’m in--I’m going to stop using the stupid small rotating compost tumbler that doesn’t work and dig myself a pit. I’m in the Pacific Northwest, so it’s going to be wet--maybe I need a roof? I’ll figure that out.
Hah! Love to hear it. Will you keep me posted on how it goes? A roof can def do wonders! If it's a trench and you're in a rainy area, the compost might get really wet anyway - another option (if you feel like it) might be a slightly raised wood platform, also with a roof. But that takes more effort and materials.
I've been composting for 2 or 3 years now. We have an oak tree in our yard. I tried adding dead oak leaves to our pile thinking that would be a great source of carbon, but they basically never decayed... Then I read one place that oak leaves have something in them that resists composting (lignan maybe?) I didn't look any further and discontinued adding oak leaves. I'm wondering if what I read about oak leaves is true and they're not great for compost, or if one only needs to do X and Oak leaves become a great compost addition. thanks
I *love* using oak mulch in my compost, but when I go to collect the leaves— I tend to root down a bit and grab the bottom layer - where decay has already begun. I actually hadn't heard that about oak leaves resisting composting, but I am going to look it up! (Turns out, I don't know EVERYTHING - go figure, hehe.) Maybe pile the oak leaves separately and leave them to rot for a bit, then add once partially decayed. Or grind them down a bit before adding. If you have the time or inkling, experimenting a bit will probably solve the problem for you! But if you don't have the time, leaving the oak leaves right where they are makes for very, very happy soil. ^__^
Thanks for the thorough reply! I’ve just been letting the leaves stay where they land and decomposing there. The grass around the tree seems to like it. We have plenty of food scraps and cardboard to fill out our pile as it is anyway. One follow up, and I could probably look this up, but if you know off the top of your head a one word answer would be awesome… thinking about the balance of our pile, do oak leaves add nitrogen or carbon? Thanks again!!
I compost my live-oak leaves whole: the key is to keep them moist in the dry months and add a good compost starter. Is there a horse barn or cow pasture near you? a few handfuls of manure is a good start. Job's organics makes a decent compost starter if that doesn't work . . .
Thanks for the tip! No good manure sources nearby, but I’ll check out Job’s organics. When you’re talking about non-manure starter would that be something like a compost tea? Or just already existing compost if re-layer on top? Or either?
The already existing compost, layered on top works great, as well. Compost tea works, too, as apparently will 'green manures' like comfrey leaves, which are apparently high in nitrogen . . . but I have no experience using green manures myself, so can't vouch for it.
Can you share your thoughts / explain why compost tumblers make composting more difficult? Would you consider a house visit to consult on best practices? Do you have tips to share on general soil health (how to identify, how to reinvigorate, does soil ever ‘go bad’?)?
Have you seen this: https://subpod.com/pages/subpod-design-details-usa ?
I think it's crossed my path before - I have mixed feelings about big, expensive devices for composting - and anxious about anything that is made of any kind of plastic ("the safest" doesn't mean much to me). How do you feel about it?
It feels like a bougie, consumerist approach to composting, and it’s not big enough to really make much compost. I do like the idea of the lid, but I thank I can pull this off better myself.
haha, yes. this is (uncensored) exactly how i feel, too - i just try to be a little pragmatic in how i talk about it, because i dont want to to accidentally offend or bum somebody out
Your tone is always admirably non-judgmental. Keep it up
Hey! Love the newsletter. I've got a nerdy composting question: I try to compost my milk cartons and paper take-away containers lined with PLA (polylactic acid), but the plastic doesn't break down quickly in my bin. Is there any reason I shouldn't burn items with PLA liners before putting them in my compost? Thanks!
Thank you so much! Just out of curiosity (and apologies if this is a dumb or obvious question) - but are you shredding the paper containers before you add them? Or just crunching them up? Any shredding you do will help expedite decomposition a *lot* - even for tougher to break down items. Unfortunately, PLA *is* toxic when burned. It can release VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds), which aren't good for health :(
Okay, I just read every post up to this one and now I’m in--I’m going to stop using the stupid small rotating compost tumbler that doesn’t work and dig myself a pit. I’m in the Pacific Northwest, so it’s going to be wet--maybe I need a roof? I’ll figure that out.
Hah! Love to hear it. Will you keep me posted on how it goes? A roof can def do wonders! If it's a trench and you're in a rainy area, the compost might get really wet anyway - another option (if you feel like it) might be a slightly raised wood platform, also with a roof. But that takes more effort and materials.
I will keep you posted ...
I've been composting for 2 or 3 years now. We have an oak tree in our yard. I tried adding dead oak leaves to our pile thinking that would be a great source of carbon, but they basically never decayed... Then I read one place that oak leaves have something in them that resists composting (lignan maybe?) I didn't look any further and discontinued adding oak leaves. I'm wondering if what I read about oak leaves is true and they're not great for compost, or if one only needs to do X and Oak leaves become a great compost addition. thanks
I *love* using oak mulch in my compost, but when I go to collect the leaves— I tend to root down a bit and grab the bottom layer - where decay has already begun. I actually hadn't heard that about oak leaves resisting composting, but I am going to look it up! (Turns out, I don't know EVERYTHING - go figure, hehe.) Maybe pile the oak leaves separately and leave them to rot for a bit, then add once partially decayed. Or grind them down a bit before adding. If you have the time or inkling, experimenting a bit will probably solve the problem for you! But if you don't have the time, leaving the oak leaves right where they are makes for very, very happy soil. ^__^
Thanks for the thorough reply! I’ve just been letting the leaves stay where they land and decomposing there. The grass around the tree seems to like it. We have plenty of food scraps and cardboard to fill out our pile as it is anyway. One follow up, and I could probably look this up, but if you know off the top of your head a one word answer would be awesome… thinking about the balance of our pile, do oak leaves add nitrogen or carbon? Thanks again!!
I compost my live-oak leaves whole: the key is to keep them moist in the dry months and add a good compost starter. Is there a horse barn or cow pasture near you? a few handfuls of manure is a good start. Job's organics makes a decent compost starter if that doesn't work . . .
Thanks for the tip! No good manure sources nearby, but I’ll check out Job’s organics. When you’re talking about non-manure starter would that be something like a compost tea? Or just already existing compost if re-layer on top? Or either?
The already existing compost, layered on top works great, as well. Compost tea works, too, as apparently will 'green manures' like comfrey leaves, which are apparently high in nitrogen . . . but I have no experience using green manures myself, so can't vouch for it.
I am so excited about this!
Can you share your thoughts / explain why compost tumblers make composting more difficult? Would you consider a house visit to consult on best practices? Do you have tips to share on general soil health (how to identify, how to reinvigorate, does soil ever ‘go bad’?)?