Extreme Composting

CesumPec · #**2361** 04/12/13, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dablack

I'm thinking I'm going to find an unload spot at the bottom of one of my steep hills so gravity will help me unload.

prior to getting a dump trailer, I emptied my P/U bed using a redneck engineered unloader. It is an almost bed wide piece of 6x6 with a couple of lag bolts in it. Put the lumber in the bed, next to the cab. Attach a chain or loading strap to the lags and lay chain on the bed so that the free end hangs out the tail end. Load your mulch, manure, etc on top of the lumber and chain.

When you get to where you want to unload, hook a second strap around a tree and to your free end of chain on the bed. Drive the truck slowly away from the tree and the lumber will drag out most of the load in just a few seconds.

This solution is like a back alley hooker, cheap and easy.

BigHenTinyBrain · #**2362** 04/13/13, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oswego

I know its a dumb time to ask(already did it) but was it okay for me to pour the almost half gallon of milk that had worked its way behind something in the frig and stayed hidden past the smell test in the compost pile.

I put everything in the compost pile. Milk turns to dirt, too.

Forerunner · #**2363** 04/13/13, 08:41 AM

Spoiled milk, to compost microbes, is like chocolate milk, to an 8 year old.

'Nuff said.

3ravens · #**2364** 04/13/13, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forerunner

Spoiled milk, to compost microbes, is like chocolate milk, to an 8 year old.

'Nuff said.

However, you should not compost the 8 year old. Although my 8 year old DGS sometimes has enough dirt on him to BE compost......

**Ross** · #**2365** 04/13/13, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3ravens

However, you should not compost the 8 year old. Although my 8 year old DGS sometimes has enough dirt on him to BE compost......

Look the assigned moderators to this thread are expecting the best from you guys,.....................if you're going to go and compost grandchildren, you're going to create work here and completely spoil the relationship that's been promoted here. Please source your components with deference to the established normal society. How ever out of touch it may be! That is all.

Forerunner · #**2366** 04/13/13, 07:38 PM

Ross, did you know that, in 1983, you were worth approximately 97 cents (for your trace mineral value, that is) ?

BigHenTinyBrain · #**2367** 04/13/13, 08:25 PM

Ross it's the EXTREME composting thread. Isn't the nature of extreme-ness that it get more and more extreme? So you may be working against the tide (of compost).

CesumPec · #**2368** 04/13/13, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oswego

I know its a dumb time to ask(already did it) but was it okay for me to pour the almost half gallon of milk that had worked its way behind something in the frig and stayed hidden past the smell test in the compost pile.

some people use diluted milk either in their irrigation system or via a tank sprayer to spread on pastures. Reportedly it produces great results in the form of vigorous grass growth.

lurnin2farm · #**2369** 04/13/13, 10:54 PM

After watching the video back to eden and reading through this thread I was determined to get this started this year. bout 3 weeks ago tree trimmers started trimming down my road for the power companies. * truckloads later and I have a nice pile started. Now I just need manure.

We did get a little rain the other day and digging around today I see I have steam coming out from where I dug. There isn't much green in the pile. mostly some green pine needles as the trees are just starting to bud. I would guess the green from the pine needles is only about 5% of the total pile. How much is this going to break down my piles? I'm guessing its sort of like fuel for the compost. Once its burned up everything else stops. Is that correct?

Tomorrow a friend is bringing me a truckload of cow manure from his dads an hr away. Since I dont have a truck I am appreciative of it anyway. There are also a couple of horse places within 10 minutes of me advertising free manure. If I could talk them into free delivery I would be very happy

. I already have to unload and build the piles by hand. Good way to get the summer metabolism started

.

Forerunner · #**2370** 04/14/13, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CesumPec

some people use diluted milk either in their irrigation system or via a tank sprayer to spread on pastures. Reportedly it produces great results in the form of vigorous grass growth.

No way !

Did you know that vigorous grass growth is reported to produce great results in milk production ?!!!

I sense a conspiracy.........

Forerunner · #**2371** 04/14/13, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lurnin2farm

There isnt much green in the pile. mostly some green pine leaves as the trees are just starting to bud. I would guess the green from the pine needles is only about 5% of the total pile. How much is this going to break down my piles? I'm guessing its sort of like fuel for the compost. Once its burned up everything else stops. Is that correct?

Almost correct, but the pile won't stop working, though it will slow down until you get that cow manure mixed in.

I just guess, between the chips, the cow manure, the potential for horse stall cleanings.......close by...... and summer metabolism figured in, that I don't see where is the problem.

lurnin2farm · #**2372** 04/14/13, 05:57 AM

Slowin down is ok by me. I'll try to keep it fueled up though. I'll get some pics later today.

dablack · #**2373** 04/15/13, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CesumPec

prior to getting a dump trailer, I emptied my P/U bed using a redneck engineered unloader. It is an almost bed wide piece of 6x6 with a couple of lag bolts in it. Put the lumber in the bed, next to the cab. Attach a chain or loading strap to the lags and lay chain on the bed so that the free end hangs out the tail end. Load your mulch, manure, etc on top of the lumber and chain.

When you get to where you want to unload, hook a second strap around a tree and to your free end of chain on the bed. Drive the truck slowly away from the tree and the lumber will drag out most of the load in just a few seconds.

This solution is like a back alley hooker, cheap and easy.

Being an actual redneck engineer I am HIGHLY ......... impressed with your unload method. Sounds like a plan to me.

thanks
Austin

CesumPec · #**2374** 04/15/13, 04:41 PM

we FINALLY got some rain. first time in months that it was more than just a few drops. My piles said thank you. When i got to the farm this morning, the piles that had received a dose of sludge were all steaming.

I rescued the dump trailer with no damage. I just over loaded it last time. Once I pulled a few thousand pounds of poo out the back, it went up just fine, with only a small hydra hose leak that was fixed by tightening the connection. Delivered two loads today and all worked well.

Dablack - when I tried to redneck dump loose stuff, like sticks that had not been chipped, I had to add a piece of plywood to the 6x6 to make a bigger drag. But when just dumping manure or tight packed chips, the 6x6 worked just fine.

Oswego · #**2375** 04/15/13, 08:44 PM

I have a low spot where I wanted to build my next pile. I now plan to build the redneck unloader, put it on the trailer, alternate my loads with manure and sawdust. I'll back trailer up to low spot, chain front of trailer to tree and have tractor on other side of spot to drag stuff off trailer into low spot and build next pile with minimum shovel/pitchfork use. I can mix the manure and sawdust with tractor bucket after each trailer load.
Thanks for the idea.

CesumPec · #**2376** 04/15/13, 09:12 PM

I do apologize for not mentioning this sooner, but the redneck unloader is redneck patented. While normally a beer or two is considered adequate payment for any redneck debt, I'm holding out for a load of manure or saw dust, ...or the ham of a wild hog.

Oswego · #**2377** 04/16/13, 05:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CesumPec

I do apologize for not mentioning this sooner, but the redneck unloader is redneck patented. While normally a beer or two is considered adequate payment for any redneck debt, I'm holding out for a load of manure or saw dust, ...or the ham of a wild hog.

How about a load of BS, I can call and give it to you or talk about it here

Forerunner · #**2378** 04/16/13, 08:03 AM

Just so long as there's no growth hormones or persistent herbicides in it, we're good to go.

lurnin2farm · #**2379** 04/16/13, 01:59 PM

I owe some photos that I promised

. The first photo with the bucket has a truckload of manure mixed in already. All mixing done by hand with lots of love

. The 2nd photo is what I have left to mix when I get some nitrogen. I need at least 10 truckloads I figure. Had a neighbor stop by with a bob cat yesterday and push that back some for me. Now I can get another 6 loads or so of chips in there too. I also have 2 other spots on the property where they can dump chips so I should be able to take them all summer.

lurnin2farm · #**2380** 04/16/13, 02:05 PM

This was the piles before I started.