Composting

[snap]

Heard of advantages in composting for gardening. Wanted to know if it's easy to do.

[biker]

Yeah, but it's addictive.

I don't know what to do with all the stuff now.

[Longtimegone]

Really easy....and rewarding....
You can simply start a pile. Take your grass clippings, kitchen scraps (vegetable only), etc. and throw 'em in the same place. Every once in a while, turn the pile. If you have allergies, wear a mask, as the mold spores will go up your nose.
You can also buy a kind of sideways-rotating drum. With this, you just put your food/grass in, and then turn it occasionally.
Either way, you've got great, environmentally friendly food for your garden.

[WNYresident]

I dont think I would use grass clippings if they are sprayed by chemlawn for a veggie garden.

[snap]

Very helpful. I'm new to this idea so I have a couple questions. With a pile does it have to be closed in with a cover? How bad is the smell? Does it attract rodents? What do you do when winter comes? Is a drum better? Thanks for the lawn chemical warning.

[Longtimegone]

I dont think I would use grass clippings if they are sprayed by chemlawn for a veggie garden.

Oh, good thinking! I didn't think of that since I don't use anything on my lawn.

Using the barrel is a bit easier, and everything is contained. But I kind of like just piling it up. You get to watch nature do her thing as your huge pile shrinks and grows. It can get a bit smelly in the heat of August, but nothing gross. And you shouldn't have problems with critters. I've only had a couple animal sightings at my compost heap, and that was a grey fox a few years back. After I quit putting egg shells in the pile, he found other feeding grounds.

[snap]

Don't think I'll be seeing any grey foxes around here. Thanks for the help.

[biker]

From the Mantis brochure, do not put meat, dairy, or grain products in the pile. They would attract rodents. They say to rinse off the eggshells, probably for the same reason.

I would counter that you're OK with the grass clippings. The anti-weed stuff is supposed to break down pretty quickly.

[snap]

Is it true. Red Peppers keep squirrels away? anyone?

[Shasta13]

When we used to feed the birds we tried the red pepper mixed in the seed and it seemed to work. So I assume it would work in other areas as well.

[buffy]

also, your pile needs moisture to work and should be in a warm enough spot.

[snap]

Have a sunny back yard. Would be warm enough all day.

[DR_GONZO]

If you have a neighbor down wind who you really don't like, make sure your pile is rife with rotten everything. They'll love you even more!

[snap]

My non-rural lot down wind suprisingly has no neighbors. Loved the advice though.

[snap]

Would a compost pile survive a WNY winter?