/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gifI have a couple of questions about composting. I want to start a vegetable garden next year and was told that compost is a inexpensive and organic way to fertilize. But I dont have a clue where to start!!! I know that it needs to be in a sunny place and be turned and watered, but do I NEED to build or purchase a bin, or can I just make a pile?? How often do I water and turn it?? Also what can I put in it from my home and flower gardens, and what can I NOT put in it?? I have a ton of pine trees on my property, can I put fallen brances and such in it?? Or is that to acidic?? I would love to hear from you guys about it!!! /phpbb/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif

You don't need a container. I started mine with just a pile in an area of my yard. I only turned it in the spring with a pitchfork. I never watered it. I started mine with leaves.
I would tend not to get the container type. I think you could build something that was open with a wooden frame and chicken wire though that would work nicely. You can compost anything from the garden. I used mostly leaves though in mine and grass clippings.

brandy3

Yes, the pine needles are too acidic. No, you don't need a bin, just an empty piece of ground to pile it on. Water it once a week so that the pile stays moist like a rung out sponge. Sun is the most important because the pile has to heat up. All this makes the process fast. You can just pile it all up and let it rot slowly and maybe next year it would be all well composted.

Vegatable scraps, egg shells, coffee grinds can all go in the pile. NO meat or grease or bones.

Leaves and cheap dirt are good too add and dried grass clippings. NO WEEDS.

It is easy and makes awesome dirt and mulch and fertilizer.

Go for it. I did this year and was pleased and suprised with my lack of effort. I was afraid of ants but got none.

Taffy
Florida zone 10