Comments for Composting Toilet Systems http://www.compostingtoiletsystem.net Reduce Sewage Save Water Help The Enviornment Sat, 07 May 2011 00:28:28 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on How do I get my compost to get hot over the winter? by Ed http://www.compostingtoiletsystem.net/blog/2011/05/07/how-do-i-get-my-compost-to-get-hot-over-the-winter/comment-page-1/#comment-706 Ed Sat, 07 May 2011 00:28:28 +0000 http://www.compostingtoiletsystem.net/blog/2011/05/07/how-do-i-get-my-compost-to-get-hot-over-the-winter/#comment-706 you need to turn or airate the compost pile becuase the air is what causes it to begin to break down you need to turn or airate the compost pile becuase the air is what causes it to begin to break down

]]> Comment on How do I get my compost to get hot over the winter? by Utopian http://www.compostingtoiletsystem.net/blog/2011/05/07/how-do-i-get-my-compost-to-get-hot-over-the-winter/comment-page-1/#comment-705 Utopian Sat, 07 May 2011 00:28:28 +0000 http://www.compostingtoiletsystem.net/blog/2011/05/07/how-do-i-get-my-compost-to-get-hot-over-the-winter/#comment-705 I don't think anything except auxiliary heat or good insulation will help you. The rate of heat generation is low, and 24/7 freezing temperatures will suck it away pretty fast. If you do insulate, be sure enough air gets to it. I don't think anything except auxiliary heat or good insulation will help you. The rate of heat generation is low, and 24/7 freezing temperatures will suck it away pretty fast. If you do insulate, be sure enough air gets to it.

]]> Comment on How do I get my compost to get hot over the winter? by astevn81… http://www.compostingtoiletsystem.net/blog/2011/05/07/how-do-i-get-my-compost-to-get-hot-over-the-winter/comment-page-1/#comment-704 astevn81… Sat, 07 May 2011 00:28:28 +0000 http://www.compostingtoiletsystem.net/blog/2011/05/07/how-do-i-get-my-compost-to-get-hot-over-the-winter/#comment-704 This is a ridiculous misconception. Turning the pile accomplishes nothing but massive heat loss. If you want to learn how to compost correctly, read the humanure handbook, which is free on the web. Report Abuse This is a ridiculous misconception. Turning the pile accomplishes nothing but massive heat loss. If you want to learn how to compost correctly, read the humanure handbook, which is free on the web. Report Abuse

]]> Comment on How do I get my compost to get hot over the winter? by mannymal... http://www.compostingtoiletsystem.net/blog/2011/05/07/how-do-i-get-my-compost-to-get-hot-over-the-winter/comment-page-1/#comment-703 mannymal... Sat, 07 May 2011 00:28:28 +0000 http://www.compostingtoiletsystem.net/blog/2011/05/07/how-do-i-get-my-compost-to-get-hot-over-the-winter/#comment-703 Aeration is the key, it will also need to be turned often. http://www.kitchencomposterblo… Report Abuse Aeration is the key, it will also need to be turned often.
http://www.kitchencomposterblo… Report Abuse

]]> Comment on How do I get my compost to get hot over the winter? by csdax http://www.compostingtoiletsystem.net/blog/2011/05/07/how-do-i-get-my-compost-to-get-hot-over-the-winter/comment-page-1/#comment-702 csdax Sat, 07 May 2011 00:28:27 +0000 http://www.compostingtoiletsystem.net/blog/2011/05/07/how-do-i-get-my-compost-to-get-hot-over-the-winter/#comment-702 The heat at the center of the pile is a function of bacterial decomposition activity. As long as there is stuff to break down, the heat continues. Air is also vital to supporting decomposition so regular turning to aerate is crucial as well as the proper moisture level. The heat at the center of the pile is a function of bacterial decomposition activity. As long as there is stuff to break down, the heat continues. Air is also vital to supporting decomposition so regular turning to aerate is crucial as well as the proper moisture level.

]]> Comment on Can I start a small compost pile in a planter? by ant3eye http://www.compostingtoiletsystem.net/blog/2011/05/07/can-i-start-a-small-compost-pile-in-a-planter/comment-page-1/#comment-701 ant3eye Fri, 06 May 2011 22:21:25 +0000 http://www.compostingtoiletsystem.net/blog/2011/05/07/can-i-start-a-small-compost-pile-in-a-planter/#comment-701 yes you could start a compost pile that is small, it really doesn't matter the size but the quality is what really counts. You could easily use a planter just make aure it is open at the bottom . You need to supply air and have ventilation for your compost area. Without air you will have anerobic conditions and that is where foul smellling methane comes from. Good comost should have a a sweet, earthy smell to it. Regular turning is esscential. You need to have a balance of green materials ( nitorgen) and brown materials ( phosprorous). THe compost should be moist to the consistancy of a damp wrong out sponge. Material needs to be added on a regular basis based on the rate of decomposition. The temperature should be bery warm if not hot in the center of the pile. Often chicken manure will help with comost warm temperatures and decomposition. yes you could start a compost pile that is small, it really doesn't matter the size but the quality is what really counts. You could easily use a planter just make aure it is open at the bottom . You need to supply air and have ventilation for your compost area. Without air you will have anerobic conditions and that is where foul smellling methane comes from. Good comost should have a a sweet, earthy smell to it. Regular turning is esscential. You need to have a balance of green materials ( nitorgen) and brown materials ( phosprorous). THe compost should be moist to the consistancy of a damp wrong out sponge. Material needs to be added on a regular basis based on the rate of decomposition. The temperature should be bery warm if not hot in the center of the pile. Often chicken manure will help with comost warm temperatures and decomposition.

]]> Comment on Can I start a small compost pile in a planter? by Jing http://www.compostingtoiletsystem.net/blog/2011/05/07/can-i-start-a-small-compost-pile-in-a-planter/comment-page-1/#comment-700 Jing Fri, 06 May 2011 22:21:25 +0000 http://www.compostingtoiletsystem.net/blog/2011/05/07/can-i-start-a-small-compost-pile-in-a-planter/#comment-700 With a small garden in a townhouse environment the best way to get into composting without upsetting the neighbors would be to use a compost tumbler. A compost tumbler is neat, sealed (so it doesn't attract pests) and makes it very easy to turn your compost. A compost tumbler is usually a container that you add food scraps and yard waste to and then give it a spin every once in a while. A month or two after filling it, the container will be full of compost. Here is a video of a compost tumbler in action. http://compostbin.blogspot.com/2007/06/c… With a small garden in a townhouse environment the best way to get into composting without upsetting the neighbors would be to use a compost tumbler. A compost tumbler is neat, sealed (so it doesn't attract pests) and makes it very easy to turn your compost.

A compost tumbler is usually a container that you add food scraps and yard waste to and then give it a spin every once in a while. A month or two after filling it, the container will be full of compost.

Here is a video of a compost tumbler in action.
http://compostbin.blogspot.com/2007/06/c…

]]> Comment on Can I start a small compost pile in a planter? by kay http://www.compostingtoiletsystem.net/blog/2011/05/07/can-i-start-a-small-compost-pile-in-a-planter/comment-page-1/#comment-698 kay Fri, 06 May 2011 22:21:25 +0000 http://www.compostingtoiletsystem.net/blog/2011/05/07/can-i-start-a-small-compost-pile-in-a-planter/#comment-698 I have a worm bin thay works well in a small area, but a compost tumbler would also work in a small area. http://www.kitchencomposterblo… Report Abuse I have a worm bin thay works well in a small area, but a compost tumbler would also work in a small area.
http://www.kitchencomposterblo… Report Abuse

]]> Comment on Can I start a small compost pile in a planter? by Jane Doe http://www.compostingtoiletsystem.net/blog/2011/05/07/can-i-start-a-small-compost-pile-in-a-planter/comment-page-1/#comment-697 Jane Doe Fri, 06 May 2011 22:21:25 +0000 http://www.compostingtoiletsystem.net/blog/2011/05/07/can-i-start-a-small-compost-pile-in-a-planter/#comment-697 Yes, but it'd be easier to do a worm bin in such a small space. You can't really get "hot compost" (internal temperature high enough to kill weed seeds and plant diseases) in less than about a 4x4x4 ft pile. The two best alternatives I know of for composting done in dribs and drabs are trench composting, where you dig a trench, drop in the stuff to be composted, and cover with soil, and worm bins. The trench method works very well if you have a vegetable garden and use rows... dig a trench between two rows, and when it gets filled in, move on to the next row. When you're ready to plant again next spring, the previous season's detritus is now soil organic matter. http://www.saskwastereduction.ca/compost… If you're as lazy as I am, you can scrape out a trench as needed with the heel of your boot, dump in the scraps, and cover with your boot again. <g> Worm composting is very easy -- here's an introduction: http://whatcom.wsu.edu/ag/compost/Easywo… Dice up what goes in, and don't throw in huge amounts at any one time. A little more depth: http://www.cityfarmer.org/wormcomp61.htm… Should you decide to go for traditional hot composting, the way to keep things odorless is to keep the pile aerated, generally by turning the pile. Easy way, imo, is to build a pair of bins next to each other, and fork the compost from one bin to the next to aerate. There are all sorts of slightly complex formulas to make "ideal compost", with certain ratios of green to brown materials. But even if you don't follow those recommendations, compost happens anyhow. http://homepage.mac.com/cityfarmer/Phot http://www.tulsagardencenter.com/htdocs/… http://www.compostinfo.com/tutorial/meth… The big issues with traditional hot composting are slow piles from too little moisture or too little nitrogen, and stinky piles from waterlogged or unturned compost. Ideal compost water amounts are about as wet as a sponge you'd use to wipe down the counter. Nitrogen can be supplemented with everything from urine to that old lumpy sack of fertilizer in the corner of the garage -- the stuff that won't go through the spreader. And aeration is just good regular exercise. Yes, but it'd be easier to do a worm bin in such a small space.

You can't really get "hot compost" (internal temperature high enough to kill weed seeds and plant diseases) in less than about a 4x4x4 ft pile.

The two best alternatives I know of for composting done in dribs and drabs are trench composting, where you dig a trench, drop in the stuff to be composted, and cover with soil, and worm bins.

The trench method works very well if you have a vegetable garden and use rows… dig a trench between two rows, and when it gets filled in, move on to the next row. When you're ready to plant again next spring, the previous season's detritus is now soil organic matter.
http://www.saskwastereduction.ca/compost…
If you're as lazy as I am, you can scrape out a trench as needed with the heel of your boot, dump in the scraps, and
cover with your boot again. <g>

Worm composting is very easy — here's an introduction:
http://whatcom.wsu.edu/ag/compost/Easywo…
Dice up what goes in, and don't throw in huge amounts at any one time. A little more depth:
http://www.cityfarmer.org/wormcomp61.htm…

Should you decide to go for traditional hot composting, the way to keep things odorless is to keep the pile aerated, generally
by turning the pile. Easy way, imo, is to build a pair of bins
next to each other, and fork the compost from one bin to the next to aerate. There are all sorts of slightly complex formulas to make "ideal compost", with certain ratios of green to brown
materials. But even if you don't follow those recommendations,
compost happens anyhow.
http://homepage.mac.com/cityfarmer/Phot
http://www.tulsagardencenter.com/htdocs/…
http://www.compostinfo.com/tutorial/meth…

The big issues with traditional hot composting are slow piles from
too little moisture or too little nitrogen, and stinky piles from waterlogged or unturned compost. Ideal compost water amounts are about as wet as a sponge you'd use to wipe down the counter. Nitrogen can be supplemented with everything from urine to that old lumpy sack of fertilizer in the corner of the garage — the stuff that won't go through the spreader. And aeration is just good regular exercise.

]]> Comment on Compost Tumblers Hot Composting by Composting Makes Sense | Composting Toilet Systems http://www.compostingtoiletsystem.net/blog/2009/01/23/compost-tumblers-hot-composting/comment-page-1/#comment-1 Composting Makes Sense | Composting Toilet Systems Sun, 25 Jan 2009 04:39:29 +0000 http://www.compostingtoiletsystem.net/?p=73#comment-1 [...] persistent Fall leaves can go into the compost tumbler along with grass clippings, bush trimmings, weeds, and other yard waste. Kitchen scraps (no meat or [...] [...] persistent Fall leaves can go into the compost tumbler along with grass clippings, bush trimmings, weeds, and other yard waste. Kitchen scraps (no meat or [...]

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