Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Interactive compost
I need some help. Yesterday I mentioned the compost pile out in the north yard. That pile has been bugging me ever since we knew we were going to move here back in April of this year. We drove by this place an average of three times a week, and every time I'd think to myself, "That's has got to go." Eventually, however, I learned about the value of good compost on one's garden, so I let it go and let it grow.
Our overflowing compost pile is much bigger than the one pictured in today's edition of "Home" in the Spokesman-Review. Ours is partially wrapped of that orange, open-aired plastic fencing which is attached to four metal posts. It's about six feet high and maybe 10 feet long by 5 feet across. The pile has bulged far beyond its boundaries, and we've still got a yardful of leaves and shrubbery stems to add to it before the snow flies (which, by the way, it has flown at Schweitzer overnight---a full coating).
When I went to the Master Gardeners a few weeks ago, they told me about the importance of keeping track of the temperature and turning the stuff every so often. Knowing I had no idea how to tell the temperature of developing compost, I figured I could at least get started on the turning process.
So, the other day, with pitchfork in hand, I went to the pile with good intentions. Well, I think its mere size long ago prevented such notions. I'm especially sure of that after viewing this morning's picture in the paper, which showed a very manageable compost pile about one tenth the size of ours.
One stab of the pitchfork into the mass of grass clippings, kitty litter, goat poop, leaves, sod, and whatever else the previous owners threw into the mix told me I wouldn't be doing much turning. The pitchfork tines lodged themselves into the conglomeration and refused to move. By the way, for all compost aficionados, as of this morning, I also know that doggie do and kitty poodies are not desirable in compost. At this stage, however, it appears there's not much I can do to remove those faulty ingredients.
So, with my reading and my momentary experience at managing my pile, I know I've got a problem. What the heck does one do with an oversized, undermanaged, unsightly pile of garden, yard, and household cast-offs?
I've thought about just burning it and throwing the residue on top of my garden. Then, I'd go get a good book on compost, learn the process and start all over again. In the meantime, all sage advice will be read, thought about, acted upon and appreciated.
Anyone? Anyone?
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7 comments:
I will be checking back to see what everyone has to say. Because we started one about 7 years ago. Thankfully it isn't as big as yours. But still overwhelming. It isn't so tall(about 3 feet) as it is around. Each year I tell Ken to take the top off and use the rest in the garden...but it is another one of those jobs he is going to do tomorrow. And you know tomorrow never gets here, as it turns into today. lol... So will be interested in what you find out. And share with the rest of us.
check with master gardners-but i'd burn it.
rmt
Have one, not as big. Started it several years ago. It never composted correctly but molded, so we bagged the immediate moldy stuff, burned some of it and then turned it in the ground with the tractor. They are tempermental things that have to be tended to correctly, or they don't work. Yours sounds like a monster. Best of luck.
Use a tractor or other piece of heavy machinery and turn it as much as possible. If you can't use machinery, start at the edges and turn it into the middle, making the pile less wide and taller. Then next spring dig into the center as much as possible and use it on your beds.
I've had mine for over 25 years and just love it. It sometimes brings me interesting four-legged visitors (bears) but still has been a valuable asset to my gardening efforts.
I don't know about you, Marianne, but this is starting to sound like a lot more work than I was into when I came up with the idea with my husband. lol... I just thought you thru the stuff up there, and then a year later pull out of the bottom. Knew there had to be a catch. lol...
that is suppose to be threw, not thru
I'm opting for burning it. It's been ugly since before I moved here. Every time I look at it, I cringe because I know I'll never figure out what to do with it.
Somehow I was so stupid as to think it might take on a life of its own and take care of its own business, but that does not appear to be happening.
Bill says I need to get a fire permit before burning it or that I need to wait a couple of days.
Whatever the case, I'm figuring it will be ashes before the snow flies.
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