Examples of How a "Seasoned" Composter Composts!
Visuals of how one of Edmonton's Master Composter layers up her compost each spring. She has three compost piles "going" at all times: |
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Pile 1
Finished compost
from last year. |
Pile 2
The master composter adds to this
composting pile all year, including
during winter. |
Pile 3
The master composter carefully layers this pile
every April or May using unfinished compost from "Pile
2", and using leaf and yard waste from the previous autumn. |
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| The following sequence shows how she builds Compost Pile # 3 described
above. Rather than turn it frequently, she layers it carefully in April,
turns it a couple times before the snow flies, and then turns it again
in spring once it thaws. This "lazy composter" gets a beautiful soil conditioner (roll mouse over image to view finished
compost) every April, this way! |
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| 1. Move partially composted materials from “pile
2” into buckets or a wheelbarrow |
2. Start with bare ground |
3. Dig a shallow hole and add coarse materials. Roll mouse over image to view. |
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| 4. Add straw. |
5. Add some materials from last year’s “Pile
2” |
6. Layer materials – dried leaves and
grasses, roll mouse over image to view unfinished compost from “Pile 2.” |
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| 7. Don’t forget to add water! |
8. Keep layering; this “lazy composter” doesn’t
bother to shred material. Roll mouse over image for another view. |
9. Before the pile gets too big, put a frame
around it. Roll mouse over image to view framed compost. |
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| 10. Add more layers. |
11. Continue to add more layers, remembering
browns are important as a carbon source. Roll mouse over image to view browns. |
12. Even the odd “go cup” can
be composted when one forgets to bring a reusable! |
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| 13. Remember to add water! |
14. A bit of soil is good way to add microorganisms. Roll mouse over image to view microorganisms. |
15. Keep on layering; bulky materials allow
for air-flow. Roll mouse over image for another view. |
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| 16. Add all of the material from last year
(Pile #2)! |
17. Add some more dried leaves...and that's about all there is to it! |
18. Turn it over once in August and again
in October and a couple times in March, and come April, you’ll have
more compost than you’ll know what to do with! |
"all photos courtesy of H. Wheeliker"