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Post by Gord on Dec 7, 2009 11:25:33 GMT -5
Our compost bin is mostly full of Rabbit cage "stuff" and some kitchen scraps.
How do we keep it actively working through the cold months? We are getting below freezing now, and don't expect a real reprieve until mid-March.
One of our challenges is that our composter is not in a sunny spot, and there isn't really one of those available. A shady, cold composter, is not a very active one, or so we have come to discover.
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debio
Elementary School
Posts: 50
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Post by debio on Dec 7, 2009 12:01:38 GMT -5
Ours is frozen solid all winter, but we are not in any hurry. There are lots of leaves down deep, garden leftovers and stupid brussel sprout plants next and kitchen scraps with lots of coffee ground on top. Sometimes the deer get into it, but oh well. We have a very casual pile of stuff, just some chicken wire around 3/4 of it and the other side open so I can get at it. In the spring dh will take the tractor with a bucket and turn it, then it will take off again.
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Post by roxanna on Dec 7, 2009 12:05:52 GMT -5
now, this just points out something we need here on this wonderful new forum -- a way to state where we are located so gardening queries can be better answered! i forget where you are, Gord. in any case, cold composting is all i have ever done. my two bins, and the three huge piles in the woods are shaded, and while that is a slower process, eventually i have great stuff. we who are in the northern states are not likely to have hot compost piles for a few months of each year!
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Post by Gord on Dec 7, 2009 12:09:56 GMT -5
now, this just points out something we need here on this wonderful new forum -- a way to state where we are located Incorporate it into your signature line! You can edit your signature in your profile. I put a step by step instruction into the General Forum just for you! |
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debio
Elementary School
Posts: 50
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Post by debio on Dec 7, 2009 12:11:16 GMT -5
Roxanna, look at my signature, I have northern WI on it
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Post by roxanna on Dec 7, 2009 13:05:35 GMT -5
just for moi?? i am so pleased. now if i, the computer-illiterate, can figure it out.... hmmmm.
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Post by mjinmich on Dec 7, 2009 16:13:48 GMT -5
I have never done anything but cold composting. We keep three piles going, one to dump in, one to "ripen" and one to harvest, on a three year rotation. Nor have we ever turned a pile. As a favorite garden writer of mine says, "compost happens". Sometimes we take the tiller to the harvest pile and till it so we don't have to bother to do any sorting or sifting and it works fine.  |
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debio
Elementary School
Posts: 50
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Post by debio on Dec 7, 2009 16:30:02 GMT -5
We ONLY turn because dh likes to fool around with the tractor!!!!
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