compost piles and heaps, the easy way!!!! compost 101

[trillions of atoms]

OK,

ive had ppl wanty to know about teas and compost- so ive been compiling these threads to explain the ease of compost and teas for organic cultivation.

teas can be made of any composts, and are efficent natural alternatives for chemical nutrients.

Compost Piles 101:

make sure you have alot of medium on hand to get it going at the start.... you can add little by little but if you can find a farm then im sure u can cop free manure. if so get it, and purchase cow compost, mushroom comost and even perlite or sand and other organic amdements like chicken shit or guano.... http://www.420genetics.com/gallery/files/1/7/9/IMG_0387.JPG

step 1- forming the cage.... use a metal galvanized wire, something that wont rust and is strong for yrs of use. the heavier the duty the better. these elevated piles get more oxygen to the micro-organisms which aid the decomposition if done right. wetting is needed!

http://www.420genetics.com/gallery/files/1/7/9/IMG_0385.JPG


step 2- leveling the area, to avoid the pile falling over from weight or wind.... having @ 90 degrees is best. anchored to ground is recommended( will show best way layer in thread).

http://www.420genetics.com/gallery/files/1/7/9/IMG_0403.JPG


st cage in location that has been leveled:

http://www.420genetics.com/gallery/files/1/7/9/IMG_0404.JPG


step 3: add first layers, lowest nutrient rich material first....

http://www.420genetics.com/gallery/files/1/7/9/IMG_0405.JPG



step 4: when adding layers add layers of undecomposed matter like wood chips (sawdust better as it decomposes faster) or pine straw and leaves (mulched is better,for same reason)
http://www.420genetics.com/gallery/files/1/7/9/IMG_0406.JPG


more layers:
http://www.420genetics.com/gallery/files/1/7/9/IMG_0407.JPG


and more layers:

cow manure and quality screened organic topsoil.
http://www.420genetics.com/gallery/files/1/7/9/IMG_0408.JPG


more layers:
horse shit and straw (out of stalls)
http://www.420genetics.com/gallery/files/1/7/9/IMG_0409.JPG


more layers,
more undecomposed material...pinestraw and leaves mixed some old grians in there too.
http://www.420genetics.com/gallery/files/1/7/9/IMG_0411.JPG


overall view after several layers.... a good wetting inbetween each is a good idea.
http://www.420genetics.com/gallery/files/1/7/9/IMG_0410.JPG


more to come here....




EASY Compost Heaps 101:

the easiest way...


select level location, i aded four baggs of cow compost and 20 poinds of dolomite lime to location...whick will be used for a garden plot next yr....gets almost full sun :

http://www.420genetics.com/gallery/files/1/7/9/IMG_0413.JPG

start piling all sorts of organic material:

http://www.420genetics.com/gallery/files/1/7/9/IMG_0414.JPG

wet layers of material and make sure piles gets lots of sun to aid decompostion...
http://www.420genetics.com/gallery/files/1/7/9/IMG_0414.JPG



wet piles almost every day when hot outside and reciving alot of sun...

http://www.420genetics.com/gallery/files/1/7/9/IMG_0415.JPG


more layering and wetting...and tips on getting decomposition to speed up. :D

another day of full sun, the center is HOT!
http://www.420genetics.com/gallery/files/1/7/9/IMG_0440.JPG



COMPOST BINS - the easy way....

Find a nice 10 gallon container at least bigger the better. make sure lid has holes to breathe...this was an old bin that was used to store grian for the chickens, till the squirls chewed through it. i use a metal one now ;)
http://www.420genetics.com/gallery/files/1/7/9/IMG_0442.JPG

find good medium to add like old veggies, eggshells or old eggs...most any organic matter will do....
http://www.420genetics.com/gallery/files/1/7/9/IMG_0443.JPG


layer with compost, shit, grians etc....then wet pile.
http://www.420genetics.com/gallery/files/1/7/9/IMG_0465.JPG


Cover and let sit in as much sun as possible.
http://www.420genetics.com/gallery/files/1/7/9/IMG_0466.JPG


turn material every week if possible....the more the better!

soon you will have rich black earth to use in teas or for planting!

:toa:

please let me finish thread before adding tips and pointers...this thread will take a while.


thanks agian!

:rasta2: :rasta2:

[hushpuppy420]

Good info- nice job.

[trillions of atoms]

whole pile of rabbit shit/compost, VERY rich in nutrients....


tip: find a local feed store and if your lucky they have rabbits, chickens and fish at least....either there is a pile that has accumulated for yrs, or u can simply clean out the area under the cages and make your own compost pile.

i dug this load out from under hanging rabbit cages, the pile is over 3 ft tall and 6 ft wild....and 10-15 yrs old. the earth is BLACK at the bottom and the chicken compost is even darker :)

rub elbows with the owner as i did, i struck a deal to water/feed her flowers and her plants on sundays when they are closed to keep them from dying- and i agreed so she said i could have all the compost i want :D

http://www.420genetics.com/gallery/files/1/7/9/Image017.JPG
http://www.420genetics.com/gallery/files/1/7/9/Image013.JPG

compost piles make great wormbeds too!

http://www.420genetics.com/gallery/files/1/7/9/Image014_222677.JPG
http://www.420genetics.com/gallery/files/1/7/9/Image015.JPG

red wigglers multiply fast!

[stromelk]

Great info TOA!:thumbsup:

[uncle.bud]

Thanks TOA

next time do you think you could add a few more pics

lol

how them toms doin?

[Delta-9]

thanks bro: pipe: ive been wanting to get a small compost pie going i new the basics but i realy like the round cage as im in the city with limited space that would be perfect for my yard just one question ive heard they realy smell or does that depend on what u add to the pile?

[trillions of atoms]

the smell is minimal, every once in a while whn i throw a bunch of cabbage out there does it really ever smell any, i just top the layer with some other medium like cow compost or rabbit compost and that REALLY helps. if you just leave a big rotten layer on top with out covering somewhat, will the wind take the smell tward the house and make it noticeable.\



remember to wet it good at least every week to get it going fast..... you can even set up the ground underneth to catch runnoff (nutrient rich) by setting the grade to catch in a trough and then run it to collect in a hole next to the pile thats a lower grade than where the medium is sitting. you can then dip water out of this and fert with it. :blaze:

[lifecycle]

very nice TOA i like..