Creating Compost at Home (vegetables, backyard, leaves, freeze)

[marykate1]

Hi,

We just bought a nice juicer and have been using it throughout the week. The juicer leaves behind slimy waste created by the fruits and vegetables. I am interested in using that for my compost.

The way I see it I can just dump all that waste in a large empty paint bucket (I got it from HomeDepot) and put it under the sun.

Does it require any other thing on my part or that is it?

[DulceJ]

I have a chicken wire compost pile in my backyard so is a little different than yours

You need to punch holes on the bottom and on the sides of your compost pile since you are using a paint can you need all 4 elements to make a nice compost pile
Nitrogen
Carbon
air
water you cannot let your compost get to dry or to wet
Also you need to watch out for critters getting into your compost pile, some critters are good and some are bad.

In my compost I throw everything in, yard clippings, leafs, peels ect
and have it under full sun
when it gets brown and has a nice aroma I know is done.

They have great books at the library that teach you step by step

[Threerun]

I've never tried it that way, but we do compost all our scraps. I took 4 metal fence t-posts and hammered out a 4x4x4 compost corral with garden wire. We dump everything in there and once a week or so I turn it with a pitchfork. When it's mixed around with leaves, other compost and completed compost it really leaves no odors or anything else.

I'd be worried that a 5 gal bucket would be too small to compost in. It might actually just rot and smell in that environment.

[marykate1]

Also, on the web it says that it needs heat to warm up and develop into the compost. But what about the temperature right now. I live in Houston and even here it is not HOT at all. There is also limited sunlight.

[angelbug]

Composting is a bit more complicated than just throwing scraps in a can or a heap. You need a good mix of different types of organic material, and it helps to turn or mix the pile periodically. Here's a great site with more than you wanted to know about composting:

Compost Guide - Composting Fundamentals

[Threerun]

Originally Posted by marykate1

Also, on the web it says that it needs heat to warm up and develop into the compost. But what about the temperature right now. I live in Houston and even here it is not HOT at all. There is also limited sunlight.

A proper compost pile will develop it's own heat. It could be 30 below outside but if you stick your hand in the middle of my pile you're apt to get burned, lol.

[Marlow]

Also, a compost pile needs to be a certain size to have enough "stuff" to heat up and get going. If you're just wanting to get rid of some fruit waste but don't want to start an actual compost bin, you can always just toss it in an out of the way place in your yard. Most of it is water and it will dry up and decompose in a couple of days.

If you're interested in starting a compost pile, there is lots of information available online and at the library. It takes a bit of effort to get started, but it's not rocket science and the rewards are great, especially if you're a gardener.

[tcs1366]

I have a tumbler and went out to 'roll' it today... stuck my hand in, and ever though it was in the shade, it was nice and warm in there.

I add the left overs from my juicer too... but dont forget your "browns".

[Gerania]

If you're just going to be using a few kitchen scraps, you could trench compost,...until the ground freezes.

Trench Composting - Compost in Trenches

[DKVA]

Thanks for the info! I think it is worth a try.