Re: [UC] Composter Query

[Holman Massey]

Title: Re: [UC] Composter Query

Hi Sandra,

You can collect leaves in the fall and add them as you need them, but of this fails (we mulch most of our leaves with a Leaf Hog, a great benefit to the garden in terms of water retention and keeping the roots cool, so we don't have that much left for compost), I have never let that stop me.  We get great compost with a smaller percentage of brown matter.  The 3:1 ratio may be ideal, but not absolutely essential.  One thing to watch out for is making sure the compost gets properly aerated.  Green matter has more water than brown, and this gets released as it decomposes.  Add that to the fact that our composter has holes in the top, with the amount of rain we have been getting it tends to get waterlogged, making for a smelly compost and slow decomposition.  We should plug the holes, along with the many other things that don't get done, but regular turning and the addition what dry matter we can get hold of keeps things going pretty well.

Good luck,

Holman

Hi Everyone:  Can anyone on the list, or list related people, tell me how to accomplish the 3-1 ratio of browns to greens necessary for composting, if one's compost material is mostly green.  Our composting will be mainly kitchen scraps and old plants.  Thanks for any information you can provide.

Sande Knight
Deloitte & Touche LLP
215-246-2424
215-448-2233 fax
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Holman C. Massey, Jr., PhD
Department of Pathobiology
School of Veterinary Medicine
University of Pennsylvania
3800 Spruce Street, Room 430
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6008

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