What Every Homeowner Needs To Know About Compost Piles (Video)

Marjory Wildcraft · October 2020

Hi again!

I had some friends over at my property in Paonia, CO. While I was gone, they decided to build a compost bin for me . And let's just say it's a lovely compost area.

Super awesome of them! Now I have the chance to tell you about a classic mistake you should avoid when building your compost system.

The system they made was so good. I love using pallets. If I just had one more bin, it'd be almost perfect.

Check out my video on what every homeowner needs to know about compost piles... Trust me, if you follow this method you can protect your compost piles from turning into a huge grass fest lol

https://vimeo.com/457908173/fa4c26fd91

Have any tips on composting? Please share below!

dottile46 · October 2020

@Marjory Wildcraft you had me laughing so hard watching you throw those branches. Good info.

bcabrobin · October 2020

I was told if your compost is not working you need to add green or browns. If you've only added greens ( see Green matter note) add more browns (see brown matter note). Also if you haven't had rain in a while, give it a good drink.

Green matter, such as grass or clover clippings and any legume debris, is nitrogen-rich.

Brown matter, such as dry fallen leaves and chopped straw or hay, is carbon-rich. Newspapers are a really good add, just make sure they are covered so they don't blow around.

Mix these in a ratio of 2:1, green to brown, for a well-balanced compost pile.

Melissa Swartz · October 2020

Check out Marjorie lifting the bins. What a beast! Too much fun!

Merin Porter · October 2020

Awesome, @Marjory Wildcraft ! Look at you go! Where did you get that heavy-duty weed mat? Wondering where the best place to buy something super-sturdy like that in bulk is so I can build some Lynn-style raised beds.... Thanks! :)

Gil Montano · October 2020

Nice effort you made. Maybe it would be a good thing if you had two compost bins, that way, if needed, one can be under maintenance while the other continues its process. I see that you are only composting grasses, do you have other composters with organic products?

Marjory Wildcraft · October 2020

https://community.thegrownetwork.com/discussion/comment/876922#Comment_876922

hmmm, @Merin Porter uh, let me look around for a source. Most of the stuff at home depot is kind of thin...

Marjory Wildcraft · October 2020

https://community.thegrownetwork.com/discussion/comment/877970#Comment_877970

Hi @Gil Montano yes, that is exactly why I have three bins. One is the active one I am filling up, and the second stall is to be used once the first one is filled.

And yes, in that video I only had grasses, but I put all kinds of stuff in there... veggie scraps, rotted fruit, coffee grinds, etc. If @David The Good were here, he would put his enemies in there!

annflancan · October 2020

@Marjory Wildcraft That was a great video, informative and humorous too. Gonna start on my compost bin this weekend. Fortunately is will be on dirt.

Merin Porter · October 2020

https://community.thegrownetwork.com/discussion/comment/877986#Comment_877986

Thanks so much, @Marjory Wildcraft! I tried the stuff from Home Depot last time, and it shredded before the season was even over. Would love to know where you get the "good stuff"! :D

Wendy · October 2020

Great video! Marjory, you sure are strong. I love to see you active and barefoot.

gardneto76 · October 2020

I agree with @Marjory Wildcraft with having 3 bins. Mine is 2 bins so the 2nd one ends up holding all of my browns until I need them. I always have more browns than greens it seems. I get lots of browns from my small chicken coop so it will rest in the 2nd bin to age before I use them with the browns.