Compost Piles

[Clapper&Company]

How many guys have compost piles?

I'd like to start one with leafs and shrub trimmings ect, what do I need to do this the right way??

[Kiril]

Here's a couple guides to give you some general information. This is just a few I found doing a quick search on google. Remember, google is your friend.

Building Bins and Boxes for Yard Waste Compost

Composting Yard Waste

Making Compost from Yard Waste

A Guide to Determining the Quality & Maturity of Finished Compost

Evaluating Compost Quality

[tadhussey]

Originally Posted by Clapper&Company

How many guys have compost piles?

I'd like to start one with leafs and shrub trimmings ect, what do I need to do this the right way??

First step.....are you interested in vermicomposting (worms), static composting (let the pile sit for a long time), or thermal composting (using the biology in the pile to heat up and process the material in a relatively short period of time).

I would recommend doing thermal composting, though it does require that you have a thermometer, and turn the pile at certain intervals. You should be able to find info. on the links provided by Kiril.

[Gerry Miller]

10% high N, 40% green, and 50% woody

If you use alfalfa as the 10% high N, you cannot include that 10% as part of the 40% green

0.1 cubic yard of alfalfa,0.4 cubic yard of green lawn clippings, coffee grounds, green vegetable material an hay cut green in the previous year, an 0.5 cubic yard of brown leaves, sawdust and wood chips.

[Kiril]

Your target combined raw material C:N should be around 30:1.

Here is a link to a list of typical composting materials and related data in order to determine quantities needed to reach that value.

http://compost.css.cornell.edu/OnFar...apa.taba1.html

[Daner]

Originally Posted by Clapper&Company

How many guys have compost piles?

I'd like to start one with leafs and shrub trimmings ect, what do I need to do this the right way??

If you have the room... make It big....here's a tip...drive or drill 4 fence posts in...wrap it with chain link fence...keeping the front open...make it good and wide that you cand get a skidsteer in there to do the flipping
Cheers
Daner

[Green Man Enviroscaping]

I do composting at home, and when I move on out to a commercial location (as soon as fiscally possible), I'll be reserving space to start a larger pile there.

I'd rather encourage every one of my customers to compost on site. I also offer compost bin/pile setup as a service.

[tadhussey]

Originally Posted by Green Man Enviroscaping

I do composting at home, and when I move on out to a commercial location (as soon as fiscally possible), I'll be reserving space to start a larger pile there.

I'd rather encourage every one of my customers to compost on site. I also offer compost bin/pile setup as a service.

I really like the idea of setting up the compost pile or bin for your customers initially. With that help, and a little instruction, you could really get them into making their own quality compost. Great idea!!!

[ICT Bill]

I've seen a couple people take this to another level
Basically you get paid to take it away (leaves, branches, etc.) and you sell it back to your customer and get paid to apply it.
The circle of life is a wonderful thing

[Daner]

This Is what I use to turn my compost