Composting

[WannaComeHome]

Coffee grounds are another thing that I put directly into the soil rather than compost. The nutrients will help your soil, so save yourself a step

DH has been saving coffee grounds for years! problem is that we don't have a compost pile I'm not quite sure what he does with the dried grounds (we also don't have a garden here either) but whatever it is, it's not often enough.

I guess he's been trying to practice.

[elston]

Originally Posted by WannaComeHome

No, not a euphemism...

I've been learning all sorts of things about septic tanks now, and I feel better since I looked at my detergent (and Clorox2) and they both say 'septic ok' - which makes sense because otherwise why would the stores up there carry the regular laundry stuff if no one could buy it... so next to learn is about composting.

We didn't do that sort of thing when I was still at home. So here is partly where I'm confused: I swear I've seen my parents toss chicken bones and beef gristle and banana peels into the compost pot (of course, my mom also has a garbage disposal which was said to be a 'bad thing'). Some friends down here in MD have started composting and they said to never put meat bits into the compost because they don't biodegrade properly? and also that banana peels are very difficult to get to biodegrade.

So... Can someone maybe tell me all about the care and feeding of a compost pile/bin/whatever??

I know that banana peels, bananas for that matter are excellent for roses...high phospherous....and I usually dig them right in or toss them into the rose garden.....but I also add them to the compost bin as it is closer than the rose garden.....I havent seen any problem either way....I do thnk I see more growth on the roses when they are getting banana peels regularly.

[elston]

I compost all vegetable parings and waste while preparing food, egg shells, fruits cores etc....I add leaves and small amounts of grass clippins....small twigs that I pick up off the lawn...grains if left over and not cooked with dairy or fatty sauces. I compost lint from laundry dryer, some newspaper and paper bags and napkins...coffee grounds and filter, tea bag and even the little staple that is on the tag , a shovel full of dirt every-once-in awhile....I try to keep a balance between "brown" and "green" ingredients..I also add any left over beer or wine or cocktails left in bottom of glass..its all good and my compost is looking rich after the first 6 months.

I have heard that Starbucks has a store policy of bagging their grounds for gardeners. I havent tried that source.

My inlaws are Japanese.....MIL just digs every thing into the soil directly...I see her every morning out digging in scraps...My Dad always had a compost pile when I was growing up.....as he got older he skipped that step and also dug everything directly into the soil.

I agree with the advice about meats...and bones.....but I cant bring myself to throw away shrimp shells, steam clam shells, lobster shells etc.......I sorta crush the clam shells and bury them around the lilacs....sweeten the soil.... and I bury fish products directly in the garden ...deeply so animals dont dig them up.

[WannaComeHome]

interesting! I noticed my mother does cut up the banana peels into maybe 2 pieces each - but I had thought it was to make it fit her compost jar better. She has a compost crock that she uses in the kitchen, and when ti's full she just takes the plastic bag out to the bin in the garden.

somehow, I don't see how digging straight in (especially deeply) is any easier than a compost bin! but more power to your parents/in-laws!

Thanks, Elston.