You might remember I invested in a compost mixer in June and set it up with its first “load” of material to compost on 2nd June. It’s been three months so I thought it might be time to get my first load of compost. Not quite … but I don’t think its due to the compost mixer. I had bags of leaf materials and “garden debris” which a garden helper collected for me. I should have told him leaves only, no branches and sticks! The compost is looking good but for all the large sticks in it.
[one_half]The compost mixer
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[one_half_last]First load of almost compost
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[one_half]A closer look
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[one_half_last]Lots of black stuff
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So I guess I’ll be sifting twigs and sticks out of my first home-made compost.
I’m amazed actually at how well everything has broken down. About 70% of the material was garden debris, the rest was what we collect from the kitchen (scraps, egg shells, fruit skins, veggie scraps etc.). I haven’t been very good about turning the compost mixer regularly. I do it when I remember, but I’m wondering how long it should take to be usable?
Happy gardening
xxx
14 replies on “Progress in the compost mixer”
You might not have your carbon (twigs/leaves/mulch/paper) and nitrogen (greens/grass/weeds/household scraps/manure) ratio quite right – ideally 30:1. Bit more nitrogen stuff might help it break down more quickly. Our compost is slower in winter but does take a long time regardless – the garden still loves it if its not fully composted. http://www.composting101.com/c-n-ratio.html for some more on this topic. I’ve actually just buried leaves to break down in the vegie patch with some chook poo pellets and the plants seem to like it.
If you want your compost to be ready very quickly, you must put inside some sol with worm. My in 1 or 2 month is ready.
Thank you Ellada, thats a GREAT idea!! I’ve just gone and done that 🙂
I also don’t know how long compost takes naturally. My bin takes forever! I use a compost activator to get mine going, but I really think your compost is looking deliciously healthy!! I always know that as long as it smells sweet and earthly, it is healthy. It is when there is too much brown (nitrogen) ingredients that it starts to go smelly. I think our next investment is a garden shredder. This will turn those pesky twigs to dust 🙂
Hi Barbs – it actually looks better in real life than on the photos, for some reason.
I’ve been wondering about your composter. Not as fast as I thought, but probably still quite a bit faster than the “just let it sit” method I use! lol
Lol, yes probably. It occurs to me now thats it been winter, so maybe thats why its taken long. It should go quicker in summer I think.
Dear Christine, I don’t think the process is fast as the composter manufacturers claim. I have one that I have to turn manually. I would love one like yours. P. x
Hi Pam – I think if I’d been more concientious in turning it regularly it might have been quicker. But life got in the way … I’ll be better about the next batch.
i’m not sure how long it’s supposed to take. I keep worm bins in my basement and in the summer they create compost very quickly. I’m hoping to buy an outdoor composter next summer. I’ll make sure to keep the branches out!
Hmm, thats a good point, its been winter here. I’m guessing my summer yields will go faster.
Sticks and twigs are a right pain in compost!
Yes, I;’ll sift them out or bury them 🙂
Looks like it’s magicking into stuff you can use Christine! I don’t mind small, short coarser material, it is like the natural compost that is in the woods. It has an informality about it though. Nice your bin has a handle!