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compost – Page 2 – Homesteader Depot

Homesteader Depot

Tag: compost

  • Easy Composting Tips to Start Using Now

    Easy Composting Tips to Start Using Now

    If you are not composting already, it is something you should start doing sooner rather than later. The following are some simple tips that can help you to get started so you can enjoy the benefits of compost.

    Tip #1 – The Compost Material Should Be Cut into Small Pieces

    One of the mistakes that many people make when they are starting with composting is to throw in large chunks of material into the pile, thinking that it will just break down easily. By cutting everything into smaller pieces, it will help the compost to break down faster and easier. Keep the pieces to about an inch or so, and you will find that it works quite well.

    Tip #2 – Keep It Damp

    The compost pile should have moisture in it. You do not want it to be dry, as it will take much longer to decompose. However, you do not want to have it wet, either, as this could ruin the compost by flushing out the nutrients. Keep an eye on the compost to make sure it doesn’t get too dry, and if it does, slowly add water to get it to the point where it is just a bid damp.

    Tip #3 – Keep It Aerated

    It is important that you remember to turn the compost pile. You can do this very simply with a shovel or a pitchfork, and depending on the size of the compost pile, it should only take a few minutes. If you are keeping your compost in a barrel rather than in a pile, you can simple turn the barrel. However, if you are using a worm composter, those helpful little worms will take care of the turning for you, making things even easier. By aerating the compost, it ensures consistency, and the decomposition will happen faster.

    One of the other benefits of turning is that you can find areas that might be too dry and then add some water, as mentioned above.

    With these tips, you will find that composting is even easier that you thought.

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  • Composting Chicken House (Video)

    Composting Chicken House (Video)

    When it comes to homesteading, I think the more (proverbial) birds you can kill with one stone, the better. After all, that’s a huge part of what homesteading is all about: creating your own little self-sufficient system.

    This plan for a composting chicken house is awesome. It’s well-known that chickens can be easily put to work both by contributing to a compost pile or soil amendment with their nitrogen-rich droppings, or by being let loose on a compost pile to unwittingly turn it for you as they scrape and hunt all the delicious little bugs.

    But these folks in Guatemala have created a chicken coop that closes that system a bit, by putting the compost system right in the chicken coop. The idea is that the chicken coop is it’s own little ecosystem, which I love. Ignore the inexplicably goofy hairstyle of the narrator; he’s clearly so distracted by his passion for composting chickens he didn’t have time to look in the mirror before they recorded the video.

    Check it out!

     

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  • Frugal Ways to Start Seeds

    Frugal Ways to Start Seeds

    It’s almost time for spring planting, are you ready? This is a great time to start your seedlings indoors to transfer to prepped garden beds in a few weeks. However, if you’re not set up with lots of fancy seed trays and want to get started anyway, here are a few frugal hacks for starting seeds indoors.

    Egg shells

    Did you know you can actually start seeds in egg shells? It’s true, and really cool too! All you need to do is save your egg shells, clean them with warm water and soap, and let dry. Collect enough to start some seeds, put some potting soil in each one, and plant 2-3 seeds. Once they’re sprouted, thin back the less hardy seedlings, stick in the ground, and squeeze a bit to break up the egg shell slightly so the roots can poke through. The egg shell with decompose over time, lending great nutrients to the soil as your plant grows!

    Egg cartons

    You can skip the egg shell if you don’t have enough and just plant directly in cardboard egg cartons too! Simply fill each compartment with potting soil, and plant directly in it. Once your seedlings are sprouted, just carefully break apart each compartment and plant right in the soil. The cardboard will decompose quickly.

    Toilet Paper Tubes

    You can also start seeds in discarded toilet paper or paper towel tubes! Simply cut in half (for toilet paper tubes) or in fourths (for paper towel tubes), line up on a tray, or wrap in brown packing paper and secure with some twine to secure the bottom. Fill with potting soil, plant your seeds, and transfer to the garden.

     

    There’s nothing like saving money in the garden, and using materials that will naturally decompose and lend nutrients to the soil. Try one of these frugal seed starting methods to get your garden started off right this year!

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  • 3 Beginner Compost Mistakes to Avoid

    3 Beginner Compost Mistakes to Avoid

    Getting a good compost pile going is an awesome way to build your soil and contribute valuable nutrients to your organic garden.

    There are lots of methods for getting started, and lots of options as far as bioavailable, organic material you can use to build it.

    However, you can also make mistakes, and before you build your own compost pile, try to avoid these simple “don’ts” to ensure you have a successful compost pile and save yourself a lot of trouble.

    Cover your pile

    Compost piles left out in the open are not only stinky and unsightly, but they also attract flies and even wasps, which will make it no fun to turn the pile. While there are many creepy crawlers you’ll happily welcome into your pile, that help decompose and contribute nutrients to compost, flies in particular you do not want. They are unsanitary to have around, can spread harmful bacteria, and are also super annoying.

    Covering up your compost pile also helps it to decompose faster. By wrapping it in a tarp, for example, you’ll trap in warmth and moisture, speeding up the composting process and getting you the end result quicker.

    Water your compost pile

    You don’t have to water your compost pile everyday, but keep it consistently moist enough that it never dries out. Compost piles are essentially their own little ecosystems, full of life that work to decompose the soil, so they need moisture to thrive. Every week or so, stick your hose in the compost pile and let it run for an hour or so, soaking the whole pile thoroughly.

    Avoid weed seeds

    Be careful about the manure or foliage you add to your pile; anything that might have weed seeds in it will not only sprout in your pile, they could easily survive the whole composting process and sprout in the garden you add your compost to. And that’s not something you want to do!

     

    When you invest your time and effort into starting a compost pile,  make sure you’re doing it right!

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  • Back to Eden Gardening Explained

    Back to Eden Gardening Explained

    Last week, we shared a video from YouTubers Deep South Homestead of their “Back to Nature” gardening method that they improvised themselves.

    They got this idea after they tried the Back to Eden gardening method with poor results. This method of gardening may have failed in their area for any number of reasons and their improvisation was clever.

    The Back to Eden gardening method is still worth a try in your area, and is a very clever and natural way of starting a garden. It’s a bit like lasagna gardening in that you are building your own soil, and start in the fall so the “ingredients” of your garden beds can break down over the winter.

    It was developed by a man named Paul Gautschi who has been using this method in his garden for over 20 years. It has grown popular after the release of a film on the method, aptly titled “Back to Eden“.  You can watch the film there for free, or, for a quicker explanation, keep reading.

    Garden Plot

    Start by choosing your space. Anywhere that has been plowed at some point or cleared out to use for gardening will do, virtually. You do need loose soil underneath, so make sure it is ready for planting in some capacity and not hard, packed soil.

    First layer

    Once you have your garden bed plotted out, it’s time for your first layer. Lay old newspaper down in an even layer all over the garden bed. If it’s at all windy where you are you’ll probably want to move on to the next step simultaneously, or have someone spray a light mist of water over the newspaper to keep it on the ground as you move on.

    Second layer

    Next, you will need lots of manure. If you have your own animals, great, if not, check with local farmers to see if they’ll let you come pick up some buckets of manure. Horse or cattle ranches will probably be particularly happy to share.

    Spread it out over your newspaper, in a nice, even, relatively thick layer.

    Third layer 

    Finally, top this with wood chips. Wood chips aren’t hard to get for free, if you look in the right places. Spread these all over your manure layer.

     

    Now, wait for a season. The components of your garden will break down over time, creating wonderfully nutritious soil to plant in. The wood chips will eliminate the need for excessive weeding.

     

    When you’re ready to plant, simply spread the woodchips back a bit and sow or transplant directly into the manure layer. The three layers of this garden will create the perfect environment for plants to grow and the nutrition they need to be healthy.

     

    That’s it! Have you ever tried this gardening method? Let us know!

     

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  • Awesome Compostables You Probably Already Have at Home

    Awesome Compostables You Probably Already Have at Home

    Composting is awesome. You can create your own amazing humus right in your backyard, and there’s  just nothing quite as nutritious for your soil as well-composed, beautiful homemade compost.

    Once you start composting, you might find you view your kitchen and home as a veritable goldmine! You might not be familiar with how many everyday items that you just toss in the trash or recycling bin every day can help you build a healthy, well-fed compost pile.

    We’ve put together a list of great compostables you probably already have in your kitchen, home, or on your property, that you can collect, save, or regularly add to a compost pile to add valuable nutrients.

    The items on this infographic are also things you might be able to get for free from businesses who discard them regularly on a large scale as well, so check with lawn care businesses, coffee shops, bakeries, and florists, if you’d like to build a big compost pile!

    Enjoy:

  • 5 Things you Should NOT Compost  

    5 Things you Should NOT Compost  

     

    Since compost is the primary soil amendment (other than mulch since every garden should be mulched) in back yard gardens, it can be tempting to compost everything you can so that you can give the most back to your garden.  While this is true for the most part, there are things that you should not be composting and could have an adverse effect upon your garden or your health.  Here are 5 such items.

     

    Meat

    It’s a shame to waste food, especially meat which costs much more than other foods, but it’s better to feed meat that has past it’s prime to the dog than to put it in your compost pile.  It will attract flies and scavengers to your pile and could introduce harmful bacteria that can persist in your soil for long periods making it dangerous to consume your vegetables raw.

    Weeds

    Seeds can remain in the soil for decades, usually not the seeds of any plants that you want, but the seeds of weeds most certainly can.  Even a hot compost pile will not kill the seeds of most weeds, which means that you will effectively be spreading weed seeds in amended soil when you apply compost to your garden if you add weeds to your pile.

    Pet Waste

    Manure for the garden should come from animals like chickens, horses, and cows, not dogs and cats.  It would take much longer for these manures to be safe.

    Diseased Plants

    If you remove plants, or portions of plants due to pests or disease, throw them away and do not compost them.  Placing them in your compost could result in spreading the issue throughout your garden.

    Persistent Plants

    Similar to composting weeds, attempting to compost extremely hardy and easily rooting plants such as sweet potato or mint will never end well.  Ultimately you will need to remove every little piece from your pile because they will not die and decompose, they will continue to root and take nutrients from your compost time rather than provide them.

     

    Composting is about quality, not quantity.  There are plenty of resources that can be had for free, or nearly free for most people that will provide more than enough for any backyard compost pile.

     

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  • No Septic for an Off-Grid Homestead (Video)

    No Septic for an Off-Grid Homestead (Video)

    Nature happens, and off-grid homesteaders need to deal with it! If you do not have a septic for your off-grid homestead, this is a very cool, low-tech solution.

    Putting in a septic system can be incredibly pricey, and sanitary waste removal is an important aspect of healthy living. This homesteader has a great alternative if you’d like to save your money and actually reuse your “humanure” to fertilize your plants. Don’t worry, it’s not gross at all!

    The system is very simple and uses some buckets, pallets, and lots of sawdust. One nice benefit to this system is you can build your house wherever you like, as you won’t have to worry about plumbing or pipes dictating where your house will go. Check it out!

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