Extreme Composting

Forerunner · #**2781** 08/04/13, 09:21 PM

Myheaven, why haven't you run tubing through that pile and begun your extreme water heating operation ? *taps toe impatiently*

scott · #**2782** 08/05/13, 08:48 AM

I need a good carbon source and a big truck and maybe a boat.

http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/news/we...erie-habs.html

I heard a news story this morning and it got my mind racing.

Forerunner · #**2783** 08/05/13, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scott

I need a good carbon source and a big truck and maybe a boat.

At first glance, I thought maybe you lived near Washington, D.C.

myheaven · #**2784** 08/05/13, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forerunner

Myheaven, why haven't you run tubing through that pile and begun your extreme water heating operation ? *taps toe impatiently*

Tim you must forgive my dh. He is new to this. Even though I have been composting many years in his absence. He takes things slowly. This is now wetting his whistle. Just wait till I bring up the whole heating the greenhouse with hot water from the compost! That's going to send him spinning! I think he may hyperventilate! Lol!

When we came down for the homesteading weekend he was too concerned about me having a good time he didn't ask you questions. At least we have next year. I don't think he comprehends your piles! His poor brain can't wrap around the whole 25 foot tall pile! I'm a patient woman always have been with him.

My dh is a visual learner he has to see hear and touch to understand the concept. Give him time Tim.

Forerunner · #**2785** 08/05/13, 12:48 PM

I still say ya'll need to make the trip down south to see the magic.

Plenty of room to camp and plenty of ponds to swim in.......

Oswego · #**2786** 08/05/13, 06:12 PM

New pile I built this weekend with ground up peanut hulls and cow manure just measured 138 F with digital thermometer 6 inches deep into pile.

Studhauler · #**2787** 08/05/13, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forerunner

My most successful effort at permanently changing soil structure was experimental, and intentional. I spread several inches of aged hardwood sawdust--still quite sawdust but browned in an old pile-- and ripped it in deep and extensively, in an area comprising a quarter acre.
Right on schedule, it was about 18 months before plant life looked close to normal in that area, and the following year I put in wheat or oats. That heavily sawdusted area gave me the quickest and most uniform germination, the most robust growth, and the heaviest and most weed-free portion of crop. That was over ten years ago. To this day that spot discs up to a black fluff, and the green there is noteworthy when the crop is up.

I am sure this has been talked about in the prior pages, but remind me why it took 18 months for your soil to start producing after you plowed in the sawdust.

Oswego · #**2788** 08/05/13, 08:29 PM

I think its because the sawdust sucked up the nitrogen from the dirt.

Forerunner · #**2789** 08/05/13, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Studhauler

I am sure this has been talked about in the prior pages, but remind me why it took 18 months for your soil to start producing after you plowed in the sawdust.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oswego

I think its because the sawdust sucked up the nitrogen from the dirt.

yup.

Studhauler · #**2790** 08/06/13, 06:48 PM

So, if the sawdust has all the nitrogen, after 18 months, were did the new nitrogen come from in the dirt to make plants grow?

Forerunner · #**2791** 08/06/13, 08:53 PM

The sawdust, i.e. carbon, draws from every source around it to procure the nitrogen needed to feed the breakdown microbes.

The carbon WANTS nitrogen, see..... there is an attraction.....

Anyhow, when enough nitrogen from the soil, the air, rain, snow, rotting vegetation, the occasional commune, etc. presents itself to facilitate the breakdown of the sawdust to soil, then the nitrogen is once again released and made available to the plants, and the world again realizes balance.

It's a yin/yang thing.

myheaven · #**2792** 08/07/13, 09:36 PM

Tim we want to make the trip down soon. Dh has to finish his last Leo class then I have to throw a major party and we will be free to come down and see y'all. Well see how things go.

Oswego · #**2793** 08/08/13, 06:57 AM

Temperature update on pile started this past weekend. 145 F, six inches deep in pile.
I am getting me some more ground up peanut hulls while they are available.

DEKE01 · #**2794** 08/08/13, 10:52 AM

My bud paid $175 for a load of dirt that is mostly sand so he could fill some low spots in his horse dry lot and stalls; he is going to need at least one more load. Yesterday Asplunhd was in his neighborhood and I told him to get the FREE chips. There was no way I could talk him into it. I explained how they would be even better than dirt while they held up and would be dirt soon enough. I gave up, wishing those chips were closer to my farm because I have 1001 uses for them.

am1too · #**2795** 08/08/13, 12:03 PM

The horse stall cleanings are starting to go down in temp. They are now running 130 bout 6 inches deep. They were at 140 for 3 weeks.

Oswego · #**2796** 08/08/13, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by am1too

The horse stall cleanings are starting to go down in temp. They are now running 130 bout 6 inches deep. They were at 140 for 3 weeks.

My old pile had started cooling off two weeks ago so I turned it with the tractor and it has heated back up to a point. I think it was low on oxygen and the little microbe workers were gasping. Before turning it was about 100 degrees, after turning it went back up to 118 degrees.

am1too · #**2797** 08/08/13, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oswego

My old pile had started cooling off two weeks ago so I turned it with the tractor and it has heated back up to a point. I think it was low on oxygen and the little microbe workers were gasping. Before turning it was about 100 degrees, after turning it went back up to 118 degrees.

I'm stock piling it next to the growing compost pile. I also spread it bout 2 inches deep out in the pasture.

Oswego · #**2798** 08/12/13, 04:41 PM

I am a member of a local group that gets together once a month to share information and ideas on a variety of subjects.
Tonight I am giving a presentation on COMPOSTING. I'll do my best to make y'all proud.
I just put some 145 degree compost in a small insulated container as part of my "show and tell" , I also have some finished compost and I think I'll go and put some fresh cow manure in a plastic container as an additional prop for the presentation.
I'll for sure mention this site as my source of valuable information.

Forerunner · #**2799** 08/12/13, 04:57 PM

Well now you've gone and done it.

We'll be expecting a full report......

Oswego · #**2800** 08/12/13, 09:36 PM

I thought it went very well, had bunch of questions and several came up after to talk compost. Did not have anyone open the ziplock bag with the cow manure to check out the aroma.
I mentioned that communing with the pile has to happen to get maximum benefit from compost.
Gave out the forum info and how to find this thread