(Part 3) Top products from r/composting

I think this depends on how committed you are and by that I mean how much you're willing to invest. I'm a big fan of John at Growing Your Greens. I am new to composting and did quite a bit of research before discovering that my HOA forbids the use of composters. I'm on the fence about whether I'll get one anyway or not but based on John's reviews of the various types I would have or will purchase a Joraform. It's pricey to start (Note: I've seen it at $299 on Amazon, it seems to be higher right now so you can keep an eye on it if you're interested) but he does a follow up review here and has actually purchased a second, larger one because it works so well and so quickly. He says it turns out high grade usable compost in about 4-6 weeks. That seems much faster than any of the other ones I've read about. I've also read that the insulation keeps the pile hot enough that it works during snowy winters as well if your area experiences that type of climate. John puts the Lifetime tumbler in second place and I've seen the dual 50 gallon model at Costco for $150 which is pretty good as well.

The bonus of the tumblers, as he mentions, is that they're raised and sealed so rodents can't get to your pile. With the Joraform the holes are relatively small, I believe, so it keeps the insects you get to a minimum as well. Being able to tumble your compost has the advantage of making it easier to turn so you can keep the pile processing more easily and preventing it from creating odors. They're long but I highly suggest watching John's videos as they give a pretty good run down of the various types and the pros and cons of each.

1. There are a lot of calculators on "Green to brown ratio" or "C:N" ratios... but unless you are capable of weighing your debris and figuring the moisture content, it's all just a guideline for you. For your needs, make the pile a 2:1 ratio in volume of leaves to grass. Mix the mass evenly as grass tends to mat and go anaerobic if you layer with it.
   
   
2. shred the leaves. If you have a mulching mower that actually recirculates the material and shreds it, use that. You mentioned a blower... does this blower suck as well? I use a blower/vacuum for my backyard leaves, but my back yard isn't that big.
   
   
3. Instead of one big pile, which gets to be a chore to turn due tot he size and weight, instead aim for several small piles about 1 - 1.5 cubic yards. Start a pile as tall as your chest and it will shrink to your waist or lower as it cooks.
   
   
4. add some water as you add to the pile. The pile should not be soaking... just damp. If water is dripping or running out of the pile, there is too much water.
   
   
5. use a thermometer. Use a compost thermometer and place it in the fresh pile. The temperature will rise over a couple days and may even hit 160 degrees. Let the pile sit until it hits 120 degrees. When the temperature gets to 120, turn the pile into a new pile. Do this by scraping the fresher material from the top and making a pile with it. Then add the internal pile, now darker and warm, on the outside of the new pile. The pile will cool as you do this, but you will be moving the still compostable stuff to the middle. The temperature will rise again but not as high. When it gets to 100, turn and mix it to a new pile. It may rise and fall again. Keep this going every couple days until the temperature doesn't move. At this point it is done with any meso or thermophilic action.
   
   I recommend having a larger passive pile and a few smaller active piles. The larger pile can be for food scraps and such... the larger items. The smaller piles will be for active composting -composting you are doing. Turn the larger pile every week or so... or less.
   
   Once the small piles aren't changing in temperature, they can be used as compost but you can take some extra steps.
   
   
6. take the new compost and sift it through a 1/4" screen. Store the 1/4" stuff in a bin with a lid.
   
   
7. the stuff that doesn't make it through... you can add to a new pile for further breakdown.
   
   
8. the can of 1/4" stuff should sit for a month or so in the sunlight with the lid on. Any seeds left in the compost that survived the thermophilic process will sprout in the can (instead of in your garden.) This will prevent weeds.
   
   Amend your soil with the 1/4" stuff. I recommend doing so with a wheel hoe as this will help break into the soil a bit better. Or use a motor tiller if you have one.
   
   As for JUST the leaves, if you place damp leaves (better if they are shredded) into a pile and let it sit for a few months, you'll get something called leaf mold. Sift this as with the compost and combine the two or use separately. It's not quite compost, but it will add biological activity to the soil.
   
   RIP your free time. Composting is strangely fun.

Yeah I would also say to stop adding. A month is a good amount of time. Keep the pile going on standard operating procedure. If you really want to turn it every three days that may help. It also looks a bit wet to me so ease up on watering maybe.

I’ll probably get flamed for this but I’ve gotten great results from this Job’s inoculant in the past. A bag costs $5. You might consider adding some before you process for another month.

Jobe's Organics Compost Starter 4-4-2, 09926, 4 pounds, 4 lb https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002MZ2UOA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_SXHPCb2BKK3P9

But adding more unprocessed material to a pile that looks unfinished may be counterproductive, unless you have strong reason to believe your materials are grossly unbalanced.

The compost bin I purchased came with a Wing Digger. I didn't expect it to work well, but I have been pleasantly surprised. It works well enough for turning my pile, which consists almost entirely of coffee grounds and shredded paper and leaves. Using this, I never have to use a pitchfork or dump out the compost and pile it back in.

If I were to get a new one, I would consider getting one with two pairs of wings and an extra hand hold. It looks a little sturdier, and should turn the compost at least twice as much.

I keep my kitchen compost bucket on the counter, by the sink. I think accessibility would help you. When cooking, you can set up your cutting board (or whatever) near the bin so you can easily transfer scraps.

Oxo makes an easy-open/non-latching countertop bin — that might help it “feel” easier too.

https://www.amazon.com/OXO-Grips-Clean-Compost-White/dp/B003ZFW0YQ

I think adding a multi-bin setup would make your life more complicated.

Nice support from the family!
On the topic of lower waste, composting, and coffee. If you’re more of a one-cup-at-a-time user, check out the Aeropress. I use my filters at least twice (rinsing after use obviously).
AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker - Quickly Makes Delicious Coffee without Bitterness - 1 to 3 Cups Per Pressing https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0047BIWSK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_G2TxCb441315J

I got one like this a few years ago. Doesn't smell at all. Just don't put any animal bones/meat/oils and you should be fine. Has never smelled bad or had any unusual odors ever.

Tumbler is fine too. I prefer the one that sits on the ground though because worms find their way in it when it's not too hot.

https://amazon.com/gp/product/B003HOR8BK

you say you're storing it, where does it go after storage?

I keep my compost in a repurposed asparagus steamer under my sink, stuff stays there for a couple of weeks sometimes before I take it out and it's fine. I line the bottom with half of a cardboard egg carton to absorb the liquid. They also make special containers for this with super heavy lids to contain odors like this but I rarely have issues with odors even living in a hot climate. There are fulling self contained small compost bins for indoors like theis

Meh. I'd never get that, let alone pay $280 for it. If I were to splurge on composting, I'd get a good reliable paper shredder. All you need is a 10Gal bin with lid and a saucer to collect leachate if space is limited...

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https://www.amazon.com/Carlisle-Bronco-Round-Waste-Containers/dp/B004FNQ82W

https://www.amazon.com/Carlisle-Bronco-Round-Waste-Containers/dp/B01CH9X17A

https://www.amazon.com/Bloem-SDC24-00-Cotta-Saucer-24-Inch/dp/B00FGIIVCU

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008B0T5Z2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Fits on top of a five gallon bucket. I just have a small tumbler so I don't have to use it for a whole lot. It's probably not ideal if you have a bigger pile but I've seen a few bigger DIY versions on YouTube that do basically the same thing.

Ditto. I use this one.

One of these.