Composting...?
Question:I just started a new compost pile this year. I am concerned because I looked in there today and saw plants growing! What is going on? I assume it is just because it is not hot enough outside for the pile to heat up. Am I doing something wrong?
Answers:
Don't worry about it. It's just some seeds or plant pieces that are sprouting, just turn the pile over and they'll become part of the compost.
Compost is truly wonderful stuff. It adds nutrients and organic material to your garden while keeping lots of stuff out of the landfill.
Making compost isn't rocket science. Some folks like to just pile things up and let nature take it's course, while others like to do everything they can to speed thing along, It's all about what fits into your lifestyle. A properly constructed pile can reach temperatures of 150 degrees internally which will kill any weed seeds.
To properly construct a pile you should alternate layers of high nitrogen materials (fresh green plant material, animal manures, kitchen wastes) with materials containing carbon (dead leaves, straw, newspapers). Items you should never use are meats, bones, fats and dog or cat manure. The dog and cat manures can contain pathogens that are harmful to humans.
Using a containment system depends on how much room you have and how organized you want to be. I use recycled sections of fencing for my bins, but you can also use pallets, garbage cans with drainage holes in the bottom or anything else that will contain the compost and provide drainage. The only thing I advise against are the "compost tumblers." They are very expensive, and while the theory behind them sound appealing, they do not have tha capacity to have a large enough mass to heat up properly, in my humble opinion.
Check out our website for more composting ideas at-
http://www.gardening-at-the-crossroads.c...
Good Luck and Happy Gardening from Cathy and Neal!
Actually, the inside of the pile needs to be "hot". Are you watering your compost pile? It needs to remain consistently moist. Make sure that you are turning the compost pipe with a pitch fork regularly. The composting process requires plenty of oxygen.
Seeds and things that you threw out have started to grow. Check out this website. You need to mix the compost with dirt. It's ok if theink start growing.
http://www.gardenguides.com/how-to/tipst...
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