Compost piles attract a lot of life. Some are bad but most are there to do a job. Statistics: Posted by imafan26 — Sat Sep 23, 2023 9:33 pm ..read more

thank you !!! Statistics: Posted by felinelia — Sat Sep 23, 2023 11:38 am ..read more

The image is blurry at close zoom, but I think these are probably Black Soldierfly (BSF) maggots. They are normal especially if there is protein like dairy or cheese, or livestock manure among the compost ingredients. They are good at breaking down and reducing ingredients that are not easily or as quickly digested by the microbes and earthworms — I consider them beneficial to my outdoor compost piles, bins, and vermicompost bins —and some people intentionally build BSF composting systems — typically because they either can’t get earthworms/red wigglers or because they use the maggots as FEE ..read more

I usually buy bagged compost. But, I did a soil test and my phosphorus was higher and it could only have come from the bagged organic potting soil or compost I had added. My organic matter was over 7%. So the last two plantings I have not added compost, only nitrogen and kmag. The phosphorus is already too high. According to my soil report I could either not add compost for awhile or add only 1/3 inch for maintenance. It is better to use your homemade compost because you know what goes in it. People have been experiencing issues with composts that have been contaminated with grazon in hay, ma ..read more

It is long enough, the problem with pathogens is that the pile needs to be hot enough to kill them. Most home compost piles don't heat enough. Aging does help, but I only know you have to age cow and chicken manure for at least 90 days. Statistics: Posted by imafan26 — Thu Jul 13, 2023 1:57 am ..read more

Well we have 2 large square type compost areas. Made with 4 4X4 pressure treated corner post and then 1 by 6 boards with gaps between them. They are both about 4 by 4 square and 4 feet tall. we empty them about every 4 years onto the garden. Well we empty one. Anyway thats not a long enough time for that saw dust waste to beak down and be fine? I'm still learning on all of this. Statistics: Posted by ApertureF11Sniper — Tue Jul 11, 2023 9:52 pm ..read more

Burying the sawdust is an option, but it should be at least a trench you can fill over time. The end product should be at least 18 inches deep so nothing can dig it up. It probably would be o.k. for non edible plants, but it should not be anywhere near vegetables or near a water source that may flow toward a stream or garden. Actually, I had more problems with the dog digging up the cat poop and eating it. Statistics: Posted by imafan26 — Mon Jul 10, 2023 5:23 am ..read more

My understanding is that meat eaters just generally host myriad of gut bacteria and parasites that are unsafe for humans. Cats also of course can host toxoplasmosis which is unsafe for pregnant women (actually to the fetus). Children and pets have been known to become contaminated and bring the parasite into homes where susceptible individuals live. Sifting out poop doesn’t guarantee complete elimination (Bits and pieces can remain in the litter.) That’s why — as I understand it — cat litter is not recommended in a home compost pile that is expected to be used for a food crop garden. So I ca ..read more

Okay but I sift the poop out so all thats left is the saw dust. Those wood pellets when they pee the pellets disolve so all you have is saw dust. which should be compostable right? Unless in the making of the wood pellets they use chemicals... These pellets are generally used as bedding for horses. Statistics: Posted by ApertureF11Sniper — Mon Jul 10, 2023 4:39 am ..read more

Cat and dog waste are not recommended for compost piles. You could set up a doggie doolie and put the waste in that, but the litter would fill it up fast. I stopped using litter in the boxes a while back. The cats kick all the sand all over the floor. I have them trained on newspaper now. It all goes out with the trash. Sometimes, I will put a little cat litter clay on top of the newspaper so they have something to bury, otherwise they protest. Statistics: Posted by imafan26 — Sun Jul 09, 2023 10:57 pm ..read more