Had to move it over slightly but it doesn't seem to be composting, it consists of kitchen waste, newspaper, cardboard & grass clippings, does it look like I need more of something or am I just impatient?
Moisture. I would recommend to cover the pile with browns to retain moisture and allow the core can build heat.
I’d flip that pile. 🙂
FlashyCow1
Moisture. And someone will say it, so here. Specifically pee on it
Also stir it every few days
McDooglestein1
Giv’er the ol’ tinkle flip!
SpaceBroTruk
Moisture.
Two pairs of things need to be balanced
1. Moisture and air
2. Greens and browns
Remember this:
WONK
Water
Oxygen
—————-
Nitrogen
Carbon
KSayso253
I’m unable to edit but this is in an actual compost bin & it has a lid (it’s the shadow you can see)
It also does get pee(nitrogen) & does get turnt sometimes.
Thanks for responses, I’ll be doing a bit more for now on
Carlpanzram1916
It looks too dry. Put it back in the bin and soak it
INTOTHEWRX
That thing should be as wet as a baby wipe.
Popsickl3
Greens. Throw in some grass clippings and water it daily for a week.
SolidDoctor
I’m confused, was this in a bin and you removed the bin? Or are you using fencing or wire mesh as a bin?
Compost needs a balance of nitrogen (greens) and carbon (browns) and it looks like you have that. It also needs air and water so the microbes can do their thing in a friendly environment. If it’s not moving, perhaps you should inoculate the pile with a scoop of fresh earth, so you get some hungry microbes in there. Some direct contact with bare soil underneath is also a good idea, as it allows worms and bugs and other hungry workers to move in (provided that it’s moist and not too hot).
Do you keep your pile in direct sunlight? If so it may dry out quickly. My pile is in a black compost bin on a corner of my lot where it gets periods of direct sun as well as some shade.
Extension-Lab-6963
Urine a good spot to get more information about pee pee
IAGreenThumb
Greens
SmoothOperator1986
Water. That’s the difference between compost and a stack of newspaper
milkoak
Did you pee on it?
tlbs101
It needs moisture, and urine is genuinely a good source of moisture especially for a dry pile like this. But it will take a good soaking with a hose, also.
I live in a desert environment and it’s a constant struggle to keep my pile and tumblers moist enough.
Neither_Conclusion_4
Way too dry!
Torpordoor
Mmm pfas compost, yum.
meeksworth
Colored paper or colored inks should not be used in compost because the coloring can contain harmful substances. Black and white newspaper is fine but magazines with color or glossy pages shouldn’t be used in compost.
polygonalopportunist
🟡
Invasive-farmer
Water it
NormalFortune
P
PamelaNRed
Moisture and more green material. You don’t have to add urine. I’ve made compost for years and never used urine.
hardwoodguy71
Water
Thatgaycoincollector
Greens and water 🚿
olseadog
Quit the color. B&W is ok.
Great_Ad3515
Water it and some grass clippings when it’s dropped a little
MaxUumen
Liquid nitrogen in the form of your PEE
atombomb1945
Water and time.
Bacteria is the main thing that is going to break down your compost pile, and in order for bacteria to survice and move around it needs water. And it takes a while. To put it to scale, it would be like a mosquito eating a Blue Whale.
Turn the hose on, soak your pile, keep it wet when it doesn’t rain, wait until mid spring.
DirectorBiggs
That’s really disgusting tbh. If you’re adding compost to your gardens all those dyes and microplastics are going into your food supply, not mention the environmental impact.
I’d encourage a more discretionary approach, anything heavily pigmented or glossy gets recycled, if it’s basic it either goes in compost or in my case paper pile for wood stove.
Do better OP.
TheDoobyRanger
Someone please start r/pissfreecompost so newbies can actually learn how to compost
32 Comments
It needs moisture 💦
Pee
Water, air, nitrogen
Moisture. I would recommend to cover the pile with browns to retain moisture and allow the core can build heat.
I’d flip that pile. 🙂
Moisture. And someone will say it, so here. Specifically pee on it
Also stir it every few days
Giv’er the ol’ tinkle flip!
Moisture.
Two pairs of things need to be balanced
1. Moisture and air
2. Greens and browns
Remember this:
WONK
Water
Oxygen
—————-
Nitrogen
Carbon
I’m unable to edit but this is in an actual compost bin & it has a lid (it’s the shadow you can see)
It also does get pee(nitrogen) & does get turnt sometimes.
Thanks for responses, I’ll be doing a bit more for now on
It looks too dry. Put it back in the bin and soak it
That thing should be as wet as a baby wipe.
Greens. Throw in some grass clippings and water it daily for a week.
I’m confused, was this in a bin and you removed the bin? Or are you using fencing or wire mesh as a bin?
Compost needs a balance of nitrogen (greens) and carbon (browns) and it looks like you have that. It also needs air and water so the microbes can do their thing in a friendly environment. If it’s not moving, perhaps you should inoculate the pile with a scoop of fresh earth, so you get some hungry microbes in there. Some direct contact with bare soil underneath is also a good idea, as it allows worms and bugs and other hungry workers to move in (provided that it’s moist and not too hot).
Do you keep your pile in direct sunlight? If so it may dry out quickly. My pile is in a black compost bin on a corner of my lot where it gets periods of direct sun as well as some shade.
Urine a good spot to get more information about pee pee
Greens
Water. That’s the difference between compost and a stack of newspaper
Did you pee on it?
It needs moisture, and urine is genuinely a good source of moisture especially for a dry pile like this. But it will take a good soaking with a hose, also.
I live in a desert environment and it’s a constant struggle to keep my pile and tumblers moist enough.
Way too dry!
Mmm pfas compost, yum.
Colored paper or colored inks should not be used in compost because the coloring can contain harmful substances. Black and white newspaper is fine but magazines with color or glossy pages shouldn’t be used in compost.
🟡
Water it
P
Moisture and more green material. You don’t have to add urine. I’ve made compost for years and never used urine.
Water
Greens and water 🚿
Quit the color. B&W is ok.
Water it and some grass clippings when it’s dropped a little
Liquid nitrogen in the form of your PEE
Water and time.
Bacteria is the main thing that is going to break down your compost pile, and in order for bacteria to survice and move around it needs water. And it takes a while. To put it to scale, it would be like a mosquito eating a Blue Whale.
Turn the hose on, soak your pile, keep it wet when it doesn’t rain, wait until mid spring.
That’s really disgusting tbh. If you’re adding compost to your gardens all those dyes and microplastics are going into your food supply, not mention the environmental impact.
I’d encourage a more discretionary approach, anything heavily pigmented or glossy gets recycled, if it’s basic it either goes in compost or in my case paper pile for wood stove.
Do better OP.
Someone please start r/pissfreecompost so newbies can actually learn how to compost