Anyone out there good at composting?

[Rae]

Is anyone out there an expert composter? I have a few questions:

1) Can you compost seeds? I pitted a bunch of cherries and wondered about putting the pits in the compost pail. That made me start to wonder about apple seeds, citrus seeds, etc.

2) I read online that a compost pile should have much more brown organic material than green. Assuming that "brown" is dried/dead leaves, grass, weeds, etc. and "green" is fruit and vegetable scrap and green leaves, where do people get all of the "brown"? I have lots of green.

3) Has anyone used the Compost Thermometer?

I started my pile with a bunch of bad sod I dug up for beds and have pretty much just been adding fruit and vegetable scraps and coffee grounds. I did add some shredded newspaper, because I'm concerned I don't have enough dried/dead/brown material but then am wondering if I'm over-thinking the entire process. The pile doesn't smell bad and it appears to be working but I'm just not sure and don't know anyone to ask.

I'd be grateful for any tips or words of experience or advice.

Thanks in advance!

Rae

[hlao23]

Is anyone out there an expert composter? I have a few questions:

1) Can you compost seeds? I pitted a bunch of cherries and wondered about putting the pits in the compost pail. That made me start to wonder about apple seeds, citrus seeds, etc.

Yep...sometimes they sprout, but overall the temperature of the compost should kill most of them. I've heard that citrus peels shouldn't be put in compost piles because it retards the process...not sure about seeds.


2) I read online that a compost pile should have much more brown organic material than green. Assuming that "brown" is dried/dead leaves, grass, weeds, etc. and "green" is fruit and vegetable scrap and green leaves, where do people get all of the "brown"? I have lots of green.

I think (maybe someone else can chime in here) that "more" brown doesn't refer to the physical bulk. You probably won't need as much as you think. We keep spare bags of leaves from fall just in case. Newspapers will work too...but they don't add nutrients. If the compost starts smelling...add brown. Having the "perfect" mix just helps everything break down faster.

I've never used a thermometer so I can't help there.

I'd like to mention that if you have tons of food scraps I would highly recommend a vermicomposter (worms). We ordered ours on-line but I think you can make your own. Those worms break everything down so much more quickly than composting. We do our composting by tumbler.

I bet you'll get quite a few replies...I think we have a lot of people who compost.

[charley]

... wondering if I'm over-thinking the entire process. The pile doesn't smell bad and it appears to be working...

Sounds like you're doing everything right. The main thing is to layer your greens and browns. Save those bags of leaves in the fall like Hlao mentioned. That way you can toss a bag or two on top of a green layer through the summer months. Keep the pile moist. If it doesn't rain every week, make sure you add some water.

The only seeds you don't want are those from weeds. Even though most are killed by the high heat during composting, you don't want to take a chance that some may survive and end up being reintroduced into the garden.

I compost all produce scraps, coffee grounds & filter, unsalted peanut shells, egg shells, etc.

Have you been able to use any of your compost yet?

[Meganator]

I've been thinking about composting for a long time, but have yet to actually start...how do I know if my mix of green and brown is "wrong"? If there is too much food waste, I guess it will smell like a garbage dump, and I will know it needs more brown stuff. What happens if there is too much brown? I guess it doesn't break down as fast if the mix is imperfect, but how will I know if it's not breaking down fast enough if I haven't done it before?

Thanks,
Megan