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Q&A: Compost Questions
Answer: A healthy compost pile should be teeming with creatures of all kinds, ranging in size from microscopic to inches long. You've probably uncovered some potworms, and some scarab beetles. These are normal discoveries in a compost bin. Earthworms are sensitive to heat and generally stay out of compost bins, preferring to live in the cool, moist soil. Don't worry about most of the creatures you see, as they won't hurt your garden or growing plants. Their preference is to feed on and break down organic debris. Slugs are another matter, though. They will feast on your plants, so keep an eye out for them and remove them. Foul-smelling compost is a sign of too much moisture. Try turning the compost to incorporate some air, and helping excess moisture evaporate. The pile will heat up when it has the right moisture content, and you can keep things cooking by moving the cooler material on the sides into the center of the pile. The insects and worms will stay in the cooler parts of the pile to continue feeding on decaying organic matter. Your compost will be ready to use when it's brown, crumbly, and has unrecognizable bits of organic matter. It should smell like clean soil. If you can still identify roots or leaves, the compost needs more time.
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Posted Comments:
11-01-2008 10:12
KATHY wrote:
SUCCESSFUL COMPOSTING
MY HUSBAND IS AN OLD FARMER BUT WE LIVE IN TOWN NOW. WE NOW HAVE A MINI-FARM IN OUR BACK YARD...SO MY HUSBAND IS VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE ON GARDENING. HE HAS A VERY SUCESSFUL COMPOST BIN. HE HAS A TWO SIDED BIN. WE ADD COFFEE GROUNDS AND THE FILTERS, VEGGETABLE SCRAPES FROM COOKING, THE GARDEN LEFTOVERS AT THE END OF THE SEASON, DRIED PLANTS, ETC. MY HUSBAND WILL ADD A COMERCIAL COMPOST STARTER EACH SEASON TO THE NEW COMPOST BIN. FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, USING A SPRING COMPOST IN THE FALL JUST ISN'T ENOUGH TIME FOR THE COMPOST TO PROPERLY BREAK DOWN. WE HAVE NEVER HAD A FOUL SMELLING BIN AND IT LOOKS LIKE RICH DIRT WHEN IT IS DONE. BY HAVEING A TWO SIDED BIN, WE ROTATE BACK AND FORTH SO THAT EACH BIN SITS AT LEAST A YEAR BEFORE WE USE IT.
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