I live in an upstairs apartment with a small deck and I have 2 homemade compost bins using trash cans. These have increased my container garden tremendously . . . I cut up my cardboard food boxes, all my junk mail and anything with personal information I don't want to get out, leaves, twigs . . . So easy, beneficial and worth it
@@scohid04 “Many” but not a majority; pretty much every cheaply made ink has a combination of petroleum and organics. The heavy metals shouldn't be too bad of a problem as long as you have worms, pillbugs, millipedes etc. on the ground that are attracted to the finished compost, but petroleum can take years to break down.
For things with ink I think an extra processing step is necessary, if you're making a large amount of compost with them. Best to process that stuff through soil bugs like worms and pillbugs or even black soldier fly larvae; these will accumulate some of the metals and petroleum (and toxic/carcinogenic contaminants associated with plastic, petroleum, paper bleaching, etc.), and maybe even more importantly their guts provide bacteria that help break down microplastics and mineralize metals. Once it's been processed through them, then add it to unfinished compost to give it even more time to break down.
I never in a million years would have thought to add quick start to my compost! I've worked in a pet store and keep fish but I never thought to add an aquarium bacteria starter to my compost. Brilliant!
Take a bucket and go out to the woods, any woods, go the local park. Rack back the leaves and collect that very top layer of "soil". It's not soil, it's leaf mould and it's full of the bacteria he's talking about. Local bacteria that will help you more than anything on the internet. Grab as much as you want and mix it in with your compost. It does the same exact thing, for free.
Watch out for creepy crawlies when you do that. I personally am not worried about them, and I haven't encountered anything problematic. Just be aware that there may be potential and pay attention.
I happened to have a bottle laying around that I was never going to use bc we got rid of our fish tank. Thank you for showing me how I can put it to good use!
I have 5 compost bays at various levels of completion, i always add a bit from each of the more mature bays to new hot piles along with a bit of native soil and humus i take from the forested areas of our property. I get a pallet bay of compost finished in a few months. It works great.
We have a very small pond in the front of our house that I put in. About the size of a whirlpool tub. Before I clean it out in the summer I take the algae filled water that has an explosion of bacteria in it and water my compost tumbler and it works quickly. 3-5 weeks. This year I built a compost bin with a lid about the same size in the back of my property and I will try your suggestion. I’ve been gardening for about 12 years now and get better every year but this year I’ve had insane success and I want to start my own business around gardening. Creating a channel or Selling seeds or seedlings come spring or selling my organic produce possibly. Still planning it out but this is my passion and I thank you for all your help all these years.
Thanks for the tip on speeding up your compost. I live in Chicago and compost in galvanized trash cans with holes drilled in them to let in air. This is the only thing that keeps rodents out, but the composting is really slow. I will try this to see if it helps speed up my composting. Also, I noticed some brown spots in my grass from my dog and I’ll use it there to see if that helps. You also have great gardening and life advice. Happy Gardening!!!!
I would still water down the compost pile first before adding the watering can of your solution. This will allow the bacteria to distribute throughout. If it dries out, the bacteria can't thrive.
I wish I would have known this back when I first got my compost tumbler a couple of years ago. You are right about it taking FOREVER for those first couple of batches of compost to finish! But now it only takes a couple of months since I always leave some finished compost in the tumbler when I start the next batch. Thanks for the great advice!
I just got a used tumbler a couple of months ago. Seemed like my compost just wasn't breaking down much. Thought I was giving it the right things for the balance, but ... Just this past Monday I went and bought compost starter for $15. Wish I had known about this stuff first! Learning still!!
Wow, great tip! I'm a flower farmer, with 2100 sq ft of actual growing surface, trying to make my own compost and not doing a very good job of it. This winter I'm making it a priority to learn how to do better because a truck load of compost is not really the compost I'd like to use; this year's load was very hydrophobic and it is outrageously expensive! 😡 I'm also going to add a vermiculture element to my system (you have a video on that!) but I need it on a bigger scale than your demonstration. I just realized that adding Quick Start solution to the load of compost I got would have helped the hydrophobic situation, but I'd need enough for 12 yards of compost. PS: I love your Trifecta+. I've used that for 5+ years on my veggies and now on my flowers. I'd rather spend my money on Trifecta+ rather than that less-than-desirable commercial compost.
A while back I watched your video talking about alfalfa pellets Do I put the alfalfa pellets in the compost along with the quick start? Would that generate the materials to break down faster? I love your channel Because you have given ideas That anyone could really do I also like the fact that it's cost effective because we're living on an extremely tight budget. Another thing that I absolutely love is that you are in an area That has a shorter growing season Not living in Not not living in Florida or Not living in Florida or California or the state that have warm weather all year around I live in Illinois Plan on the weather I wish you the best for your new property and I look forward to your upcoming videos
So glad I watched this video! I have a pile that was in a garbage can with holes and I dumped it in a bay like yours a week ago after a year of sitting...its a pile of trash. lol I have water softener too so thank you so much for sharing your tips! God Bless
Thanks Luke ! I’ve been using ditch water for the past two years to dampen the compost in the tumbler and it’s been working great. Rain water and especially chlorinated city water are devoid of bacteria. Pond or lake water will work as well if there’s one close by.
Yeah! I'd had the same cross-over thought about *sourdough starters* with my compost before (as I'm sure many RUclips viewers did if they have interests in cooking and gardening); but I've not had the chance to get really into keeping fish, so this useful product is a *total gamechanger* for me! Thanks!!!
My conposting has been almost nothing and I bought some this year to fill up my raised beds. Not cheap. But this might actually help my composting game! I have a compost tumbler but clearly I had no idea what I was doing. Thanks Luke!
Thanks so much Luke, I just got my first compost tumbler so this came at the perfect time. 3 years ago I ended up with Asian jumping worms so I can no longer compost on the ground, they have destroyed my raised beds so I now grow mostly in greenstalks. I am completely amazed how quickly they spread from a few bags of mulch . they are absolutely a horrific creature, they are so destructive to the soil.
That is awesome, Luke. I always compost my perennial vegetables that have died of natural causes in my container garden. Because oftentimes they're in a smaller pot, so I just start from scratch with fresh dirt - compost - coco coir mix, that I add to what's left in the pot. I never even thought of this as a possibility and I used to buy it for my fish tank for years. Thank you again for sharing.
This sounds like a great tip, I do mix in resting hot compost when creating a new pile, but if you do not have any to start with, this sounds great. I add lactic acid bacteria to resting hot compost. The LAB is terrific at breaking down larger pieces of carbon and will destroy any disease causing fungi that may have not been touched by the hot composting process,. LAB has a bunch of other benefits I do not understand, lol.. That is how I can compost plants that had late blight or powdery mildew. Stay Well!!!
Great tip! Adding pelletized animal bedding to our compost tumbler has been a game-changer for us. This adds nitrogen when there are fewer sources of nitrogen during the growing season. Not a problem now, however, as leaves fall here in NE Indiana. I leave a little finished compost in the bottom when emptying it as a "starter." Use of these pellets is akin to Luke's recommendation of alfalfa pellets to raised beds as an inexpensive nitrogen boost. Works very well for us too, in the fall.
I have a small worm farm in a spare room, but limited on how much food scraps they can consume. Amazing little creatures! The rest of the food scraps go to the outdoor compost bin. Never thought of inoculating my slow outdoor compost bin with fresh vermicompost, but would it be a waste of worm compost to add in late fall since it's close to freezing temperatures? I have heard worm compost microbes die in cold weather. I'm in zone 5b. BTW I wanted to purchase the Yellow Pear Cherry Tomato from you but it was sold out. I requested a notice if it came back in stock. Your little company emailed me stating they are in stock and I purchased one. I was so very impressed it was free shipping and only cost me $2.00 for 25 seeds. There is no better seed company and I will continue to purchase seeds for my little backyard garden and hope you have a prosperous future with your new land! Blessings!
I have a video where I add worms with their castings/bedding into my compost (Johnson-Su) and I am amazed with the results. The worm population when crazy and they really made some great compost. If you have red wigglers like I do, zone 5b is probably getting pretty cold for them. I would still do it simply because it doesn't cost you anything and the worm population in your bin will replenish pretty quickly. The worms in the compost pile will be working right up until freezing. Actually with the heat generated by the compost they may actually survive for quite a while. ruclips.net/video/DP_NNPUrO8A/видео.html
Very interesting I think I’m going to add this to my fall compost pile. I’ve had going about three weeks and try to speed it up a little bit. I live in the north east where eventually with the cold, I know my piles gonna stall for the winter.
@ I have two 4foot by 4footby 4foot bins that I keep working at all times. As soon as one is done I spread it on an existing bed or use to fill a new bed.
@ yes, and heat is borderline I have a lot of carbons and acquiring more nitrogen from the horses, but trying to get it completely broke down for next spring to fill another raised bed
@@johnwood738 I do No-Dig, so even unfinished compost is better than no compost, as long as you’re confident with your sources. Like leaf mold, I want the fungal activity so there’s no need to rush it, and your carbons can store well. I’ve used last years leaves with this year’s grass clippings, and had it cooking within 48hrs. Ime, I’ve had to use more N that I thought to reignite a bin, than to start/supplement a bin that’s already going
That is so easy and a total game changer for anyone starting a new compost pile! $5 and from a pet store? How easy is that! I love easy, cheap, and things that really work! I haven't heard about nitrogen sequestration before. I learned about nitrogen fixation in botany class at college which is why a green manure cover crop can be useful as well as legumes because the roots process and fix nitrogen in the soil. Kewl!
Thanks Luke, this was very helpful. I mostly compost in place but really want to start a compost pile. I haven't yet because all around my property are pine trees. All my leaves that I would like to use are filled with pine needles. Are pine needles okay to add to compost piles? will it make it too acidic?
Nice find. I have fish tanks and so i have that, and other kinds of fish tank starting solutions. But i will keep that in mind. My tumbler could use the help. Great idea 💡 👍
Hey Luke, what if you add fresh chicken squat and pine shavings? I read to use pet food, seaweed, sugar and other stuff to feed the microbes. Stump grindings broke down super fast because of the soil mixed in the wood chips.
I have rwo big bins made from old city trash bins. They cut the bottoms off and drill holes all around them. I now turn them each day and that also sped up composting! I also add some of my finished compost to the new pile!. I can't believe how fast the process is taking!
I keep seeing people talk bout only flip once a week at most and yet my compost is was much faster with daily turns in summer. I can see weekly in winter being fine
Thanks for the info!As always great Video and I will certainly give it a try,just started a new pile a d was thinking this will take a long time to break down,then I stumbled on to your Vidio and there was my Solution,perfect timing on your part!😄
Luke....i wish i could turn my piles😢 but with RA, my arms won't let me. I WILL get some nitrifying bacteria though to help my cold compost piles and see if it helos break down faster
Awesome information! My ex was what I would call a "composting zealot", constantly turning the compost piles... to the exclusion of other activities with friends and family. 🙄 With that, I have been more inclined to cold compost ~ "dump & run", lol. Your approach with the fish tank innoculant may help change my attitude. Thanks so much! 😎👍
I tried straw bale gardening one summer and I used a 10-0-0 fertilizer, which in this case was urea, from a big box store, for composting the inside of the bales. If nothing else I learned a lot about speeding up the composting process.
I believe that Bokashi Bran does the same thing and helps to remove odor should you have an indoor bin for kitchen waste. Thanks so much for your information!
What fantastic information!! I love it!! I totally geek out on soil health and compost videos!! I really appreciate how explain things in a way that is easy to understand and also put to real use!! It’s awesome!
I take veg scraps and shovel in ground and my time grown freezes in two months every inch of beds are graced with scraps and worms grow and soil is great in spring.
A good ratio is 26:1 carbon to nitrogen. This might sound crazy but add plain white sugar to your compost pile or garden. Sugar is a fast food source for the microorganisms. Plain white sugar is a great carbon source.
This is interesting for sure! Do we need to use this during the spring and summer, or is fall ok? May be a silly question, but if the nighttime temps are dipping into the 40s or colder, will that kill this stuff?
I keep fish and sometimes I put the old water in my compost or use it to water my indoor plants I never used the products I put in the tank! Now I know what I'm doing with my expired products. And I have a bottle of fritz turbo start in the fridge
Hi fellow Michigander. Due to health conditions I'm not able to turn my piles as often as I should. I've noticed it's probably not hot enough b/c it's not breaking down seeds. This year I had tomato plants and pumpkins growing everywhere I used it. 🤣 Can I add Quick Start to my winter pile?
Interesting. I started not emptying my compost bin because it's faster when it's already started. The problem is, it frys here in Florida so I'm going to try this too
Hey Luke thanks for all your videos. In Reference to turning your compost, can I use a Auger? on a drill to work it? Aerate it - Think of a Tulip bulb planting size, Or a Large Paint / or concrete mixing paddle, Not a Ice fishing auger, LOL- And maybe adding a little Urine to the mix for a nitrogen mixer? just trying to work Smarter not harder in my Sr years.
I hope you can help me, my compost heap when I turn it over has lots of bugs, Question, can I use this compost when starting new seeds or young plants?
I live in an upstairs apartment with a small deck and I have 2 homemade compost bins using trash cans. These have increased my container garden tremendously . . . I cut up my cardboard food boxes, all my junk mail and anything with personal information I don't want to get out, leaves, twigs . . . So easy, beneficial and worth it
just a F.Y.I. your junk mail has heavy metals in the ink that will get passed to your plants then to you......hope this helps
@@mattrobinson6594 Many inks are now made with veg based dyes, so not necessarily. Do keep the metals in mind though.
@@scohid04 “Many” but not a majority; pretty much every cheaply made ink has a combination of petroleum and organics. The heavy metals shouldn't be too bad of a problem as long as you have worms, pillbugs, millipedes etc. on the ground that are attracted to the finished compost, but petroleum can take years to break down.
For things with ink I think an extra processing step is necessary, if you're making a large amount of compost with them. Best to process that stuff through soil bugs like worms and pillbugs or even black soldier fly larvae; these will accumulate some of the metals and petroleum (and toxic/carcinogenic contaminants associated with plastic, petroleum, paper bleaching, etc.), and maybe even more importantly their guts provide bacteria that help break down microplastics and mineralize metals. Once it's been processed through them, then add it to unfinished compost to give it even more time to break down.
I think you're doing a great job! Many who live in apartments have a mentality of "I can't do that." Good on ya!
I never in a million years would have thought to add quick start to my compost! I've worked in a pet store and keep fish but I never thought to add an aquarium bacteria starter to my compost. Brilliant!
If you keep fish tanks, even just adding the water during a water change is good.
Same here, i use fish tank water to water tomato pots.
I started watering with my son’s dirty fish tank water, diluted.
I guess I should sprinkle some on my compost, too!
Yes! Don't even need to dilute it.
Course that only works with freshwater aquariums😆
👍
My house plants went crazy (good) when I started watering them with my aquarium water.
I already bought some and I’m adding it to my compost today. Thanks!
Take a bucket and go out to the woods, any woods, go the local park. Rack back the leaves and collect that very top layer of "soil". It's not soil, it's leaf mould and it's full of the bacteria he's talking about. Local bacteria that will help you more than anything on the internet. Grab as much as you want and mix it in with your compost. It does the same exact thing, for free.
Watch out for creepy crawlies when you do that. I personally am not worried about them, and I haven't encountered anything problematic. Just be aware that there may be potential and pay attention.
🎯
Dont forget the trash. Needles. Bottles.dont grab that 😂
I have 17 acres of woods. Thanks for this advice. I'll do it.
That's what I do!!
While scrolling thru videos on leaf mulch i stumbled across your channel. Hello fellow Michigander!
Another here Michigander living in colorado. Can you add the kickstart in coldweather? Around 40. Lows below 30
I happened to have a bottle laying around that I was never going to use bc we got rid of our fish tank. Thank you for showing me how I can put it to good use!
I have 5 compost bays at various levels of completion, i always add a bit from each of the more mature bays to new hot piles along with a bit of native soil and humus i take from the forested areas of our property. I get a pallet bay of compost finished in a few months. It works great.
We have a very small pond in the front of our house that I put in. About the size of a whirlpool tub. Before I clean it out in the summer I take the algae filled water that has an explosion of bacteria in it and water my compost tumbler and it works quickly. 3-5 weeks. This year I built a compost bin with a lid about the same size in the back of my property and I will try your suggestion. I’ve been gardening for about 12 years now and get better every year but this year I’ve had insane success and I want to start my own business around gardening. Creating a channel or Selling seeds or seedlings come spring or selling my organic produce possibly. Still planning it out but this is my passion and I thank you for all your help all these years.
Thank you so much for the tip! I’ve bought compost starter before, and it’s not cheap. I’m happy to now have a cheaper alternative!
This might be a game changer as my composting skills stink. Best tip I have been given in a while. Thx
Mine too. I failed at composting.
Thanks for the tip on speeding up your compost. I live in Chicago and compost in galvanized trash cans with holes drilled in them to let in air. This is the only thing that keeps rodents out, but the composting is really slow. I will try this to see if it helps speed up my composting. Also, I noticed some brown spots in my grass from my dog and I’ll use it there to see if that helps. You also have great gardening and life advice. Happy Gardening!!!!
I would still water down the compost pile first before adding the watering can of your solution. This will allow the bacteria to distribute throughout. If it dries out, the bacteria can't thrive.
Love this suggestion and have just ordered Quick Start.
QUESTION: How often do you recommend adding it to the compost pile, once a season or more?
I wish I would have known this back when I first got my compost tumbler a couple of years ago. You are right about it taking FOREVER for those first couple of batches of compost to finish! But now it only takes a couple of months since I always leave some finished compost in the tumbler when I start the next batch. Thanks for the great advice!
I just got a used tumbler a couple of months ago. Seemed like my compost just wasn't breaking down much. Thought I was giving it the right things for the balance, but ... Just this past Monday I went and bought compost starter for $15. Wish I had known about this stuff first! Learning still!!
Wow, great tip! I'm a flower farmer, with 2100 sq ft of actual growing surface, trying to make my own compost and not doing a very good job of it. This winter I'm making it a priority to learn how to do better because a truck load of compost is not really the compost I'd like to use; this year's load was very hydrophobic and it is outrageously expensive! 😡 I'm also going to add a vermiculture element to my system (you have a video on that!) but I need it on a bigger scale than your demonstration. I just realized that adding Quick Start solution to the load of compost I got would have helped the hydrophobic situation, but I'd need enough for 12 yards of compost. PS: I love your Trifecta+. I've used that for 5+ years on my veggies and now on my flowers. I'd rather spend my money on Trifecta+ rather than that less-than-desirable commercial compost.
Check out the chest freezer worm bin video from Roots and Refuge or Honeybee Hallow.
A while back I watched your video talking about alfalfa pellets Do I put the alfalfa pellets in the compost along with the quick start? Would that generate the materials to break down faster? I love your channel Because you have given ideas That anyone could really do I also like the fact that it's cost effective because we're living on an extremely tight budget. Another thing that I absolutely love is that you are in an area That has a shorter growing season Not living in Not not living in Florida or Not living in Florida or California or the state that have warm weather all year around I live in Illinois Plan on the weather
I wish you the best for your new property and I look forward to your upcoming videos
Thank you for all of your easy tips Luke❤
I am going to try this as one of my clients Imports this product for the massive Natural Ponds we build. Cheers Denise- Australia
So glad I watched this video! I have a pile that was in a garbage can with holes and I dumped it in a bay like yours a week ago after a year of sitting...its a pile of trash. lol I have water softener too so thank you so much for sharing your tips! God Bless
Thank you, Luke. 😊
Thanks Luke ! I’ve been using ditch water for the past two years to dampen the compost in the tumbler and it’s been working great. Rain water and especially chlorinated city water are devoid of bacteria. Pond or lake water will work as well if there’s one close by.
Yeah! I'd had the same cross-over thought about *sourdough starters* with my compost before (as I'm sure many RUclips viewers did if they have interests in cooking and gardening); but I've not had the chance to get really into keeping fish, so this useful product is a *total gamechanger* for me! Thanks!!!
The best compost starter I have ever found was when I get fresh corn. I add the husks to the compost and mix it in. Iw works like magic!
@@dalegaa9657 but it doesn't....we add corn husk every year and not problem!
Corn husks often contain a fungus that breaks down the compost. This fungus has been utilized for centuries.
Wow, interesting to know
What a great tip! Thanks, Luke. You never disappoint.
I was adding old compost to my new compost most of the summer but I stopped in late July. Now I know why my compost isn’t breaking down well anymore.
My conposting has been almost nothing and I bought some this year to fill up my raised beds. Not cheap. But this might actually help my composting game! I have a compost tumbler but clearly I had no idea what I was doing. Thanks Luke!
Awesome information and video, Luke. Thank you for all that you do.
Super tip thanks from England
Thanks so much Luke, I just got my first compost tumbler so this came at the perfect time. 3 years ago I ended up with Asian jumping worms so I can no longer compost on the ground, they have destroyed my raised beds so I now grow mostly in greenstalks. I am completely amazed how quickly they spread from a few bags of mulch . they are absolutely a horrific creature, they are so destructive to the soil.
That is awesome, Luke. I always compost my perennial vegetables that have died of natural causes in my container garden. Because oftentimes they're in a smaller pot, so I just start from scratch with fresh dirt - compost - coco coir mix, that I add to what's left in the pot. I never even thought of this as a possibility and I used to buy it for my fish tank for years. Thank you again for sharing.
Thank you so much for your great info. I had been eyeing some compost starter. Thank you for saving me some dollars!
Loved the grass tip at the end of the video Luke! Thanks!!!!
This sounds like a great tip, I do mix in resting hot compost when creating a new pile, but if you do not have any to start with, this sounds great.
I add lactic acid bacteria to resting hot compost. The LAB is terrific at breaking down larger pieces of carbon and will destroy any disease causing fungi that may have not been touched by the hot composting process,. LAB has a bunch of other benefits I do not understand, lol..
That is how I can compost plants that had late blight or powdery mildew.
Stay Well!!!
Could you please mention where to get LAB or a little about what else you use it for?
How often would you add this? Quarterly? Yearly?
Thanks for the great tip! Putting together my compost for next year and this will be handy. BTW, good luck with the farm!
Oh, Luke, thank you so much! I started a compost pile and it's not doing much. This is just the ticket. Blessings!
I use the fish waste from the filters on my Koi pond and the plants and compost love it ❤
Thank you! I've been needing some help with this.
Good tip! We use this in our fish tanks already. Hadn't considered this.
Great tip! Adding pelletized animal bedding to our compost tumbler has been a game-changer for us. This adds nitrogen when there are fewer sources of nitrogen during the growing season. Not a problem now, however, as leaves fall here in NE Indiana. I leave a little finished compost in the bottom when emptying it as a "starter."
Use of these pellets is akin to Luke's recommendation of alfalfa pellets to raised beds as an inexpensive nitrogen boost. Works very well for us too, in the fall.
Thank you!!!! I can't wait to try this.
That’s a great tip to get compost ready so fast
It would be interesting to see a side by side comparison.
I have a small worm farm in a spare room, but limited on how much food scraps they can consume. Amazing little creatures! The rest of the food scraps go to the outdoor compost bin. Never thought of inoculating my slow outdoor compost bin with fresh vermicompost, but would it be a waste of worm compost to add in late fall since it's close to freezing temperatures? I have heard worm compost microbes die in cold weather. I'm in zone 5b. BTW I wanted to purchase the Yellow Pear Cherry Tomato from you but it was sold out. I requested a notice if it came back in stock. Your little company emailed me stating they are in stock and I purchased one. I was so very impressed it was free shipping and only cost me $2.00 for 25 seeds. There is no better seed company and I will continue to purchase seeds for my little backyard garden and hope you have a prosperous future with your new land! Blessings!
I have a video where I add worms with their castings/bedding into my compost (Johnson-Su) and I am amazed with the results. The worm population when crazy and they really made some great compost. If you have red wigglers like I do, zone 5b is probably getting pretty cold for them. I would still do it simply because it doesn't cost you anything and the worm population in your bin will replenish pretty quickly. The worms in the compost pile will be working right up until freezing. Actually with the heat generated by the compost they may actually survive for quite a while.
ruclips.net/video/DP_NNPUrO8A/видео.html
Very interesting I think I’m going to add this to my fall compost pile. I’ve had going about three weeks and try to speed it up a little bit. I live in the north east where eventually with the cold, I know my piles gonna stall for the winter.
How many yards of compost do you produce?
@ I have two 4foot by 4footby 4foot bins that I keep working at all times. As soon as one is done I spread it on an existing bed or use to fill a new bed.
@ so a 2bin-turnover, I’m in NY, has your bin been filled for 3weeks and you don’t like your heat?
@ yes, and heat is borderline I have a lot of carbons and acquiring more nitrogen from the horses, but trying to get it completely broke down for next spring to fill another raised bed
@@johnwood738 I do No-Dig, so even unfinished compost is better than no compost, as long as you’re confident with your sources. Like leaf mold, I want the fungal activity so there’s no need to rush it, and your carbons can store well. I’ve used last years leaves with this year’s grass clippings, and had it cooking within 48hrs. Ime, I’ve had to use more N that I thought to reignite a bin, than to start/supplement a bin that’s already going
Love all the information. Question: how often should compost pile be flipped? Thanks!
That is so easy and a total game changer for anyone starting a new compost pile! $5 and from a pet store? How easy is that! I love easy, cheap, and things that really work!
I haven't heard about nitrogen sequestration before. I learned about nitrogen fixation in botany class at college which is why a green manure cover crop can be useful as well as legumes because the roots process and fix nitrogen in the soil. Kewl!
🤯 it's the small things that are really satisfying 🌱 TFS!
Super cool tip! Just started composting this garden season… could really use a boost in speed!
Thanks Luke, this was very helpful. I mostly compost in place but really want to start a compost pile. I haven't yet because all around my property are pine trees. All my leaves that I would like to use are filled with pine needles. Are pine needles okay to add to compost piles? will it make it too acidic?
Super nice hack! I will be getting some of this stuff! Thanks!
What about if you live near a forest get some of what has composted there add it to you compost pile to get the bacteria that way.
Nice find. I have fish tanks and so i have that, and other kinds of fish tank starting solutions. But i will keep that in mind. My tumbler could use the help. Great idea 💡 👍
What a fantastic tip! Definitely going to try this. Thank you!!
Hey Luke, what if you add fresh chicken squat and pine shavings? I read to use pet food, seaweed, sugar and other stuff to feed the microbes. Stump grindings broke down super fast because of the soil mixed in the wood chips.
I have rwo big bins made from old city trash bins. They cut the bottoms off and drill holes all around them. I now turn them each day and that also sped up composting! I also add some of my finished compost to the new pile!. I can't believe how fast the process is taking!
I keep seeing people talk bout only flip once a week at most and yet my compost is was much faster with daily turns in summer. I can see weekly in winter being fine
Thanks for the info!As always great Video and I will certainly give it a try,just started a new pile a d was thinking this will take a long time to break down,then I stumbled on to your Vidio and there was my Solution,perfect timing on your part!😄
Luke....i wish i could turn my piles😢 but with RA, my arms won't let me. I WILL get some nitrifying bacteria though to help my cold compost piles and see if it helos break down faster
Have you tried those tumbling compost bins? They are smaller but I find them much easier to spin as a smaller lady with injured shoulders.
Fantastic tip, will pick up today! TY!!!!
Hi! I have a small compost area, maybe we will try this. Thank you!
Awesome information! My ex was what I would call a "composting zealot", constantly turning the compost piles... to the exclusion of other activities with friends and family. 🙄 With that, I have been more inclined to cold compost ~ "dump & run", lol. Your approach with the fish tank innoculant may help change my attitude. Thanks so much! 😎👍
Great tip. Going to give it a go
Thanks for the good advice. I frequently pee on my compost when I'm working in my garden. It seems to like it.
I use Urea to get things rolling and it's awesome!
Amazon add to cart before your video was even over. Thanks for the great idea!
Great tip! How much do you recommend adding to the size pile in the video, or did you say and I missed it?
Thank you! i just bought it on Amazon.
Great tip
Can you share the name or link?
I tried straw bale gardening one summer and I used a 10-0-0 fertilizer, which in this case was urea, from a big box store, for composting the inside of the bales. If nothing else I learned a lot about speeding up the composting process.
I believe that Bokashi Bran does the same thing and helps to remove odor should you have an indoor bin for kitchen waste. Thanks so much for your information!
Great idea. Thank you. My question, though is-will this harm the worms i already have in my compost? Im feeling that it qont. But want your opinion.
This sounds great Luke, thanks. Would adding Sassy Lass help too?
What fantastic information!! I love it!! I totally geek out on soil health and compost videos!! I really appreciate how explain things in a way that is easy to understand and also put to real use!! It’s awesome!
I take veg scraps and shovel in ground and my time grown freezes in two months every inch of beds are graced with scraps and worms grow and soil is great in spring.
Quick-Starter für Aquarien
A good ratio is 26:1 carbon to nitrogen. This might sound crazy but add plain white sugar to your compost pile or garden. Sugar is a fast food source for the microorganisms. Plain white sugar is a great carbon source.
Billy at perma pastures shows how to make it in 18 days! Luke, you 2 really need to hook up!!!!
I bought this today, although it’s $30 here in Australia but if it helps with lawn die off from our dogs it’s a bargain. Can’t wait to try it
Hey Luke love your channel quick question can you add the quick start to your raised beds?
Loved your video ❤ You guys should sequester this market!!!
Can you add Quik start to small garden ? I've been adding grass clippings n mushrooms and leaves wtc
This is interesting for sure! Do we need to use this during the spring and summer, or is fall ok? May be a silly question, but if the nighttime temps are dipping into the 40s or colder, will that kill this stuff?
I keep fish and sometimes I put the old water in my compost or use it to water my indoor plants I never used the products I put in the tank! Now I know what I'm doing with my expired products. And I have a bottle of fritz turbo start in the fridge
Hi fellow Michigander. Due to health conditions I'm not able to turn my piles as often as I should. I've noticed it's probably not hot enough b/c it's not breaking down seeds. This year I had tomato plants and pumpkins growing everywhere I used it. 🤣 Can I add Quick Start to my winter pile?
Great tips thanks what is the shelf life? Can I keep it for a year?
Does this help if I’m starting my compost in the winter?
Definitely trying this!
Love this tip!
it's cold here in Nebraska now, add now or wait until next spring??
Interesting. I started not emptying my compost bin because it's faster when it's already started. The problem is, it frys here in Florida so I'm going to try this too
Black is beautiful
I’m going to try it!
Hey Luke thanks for all your videos. In Reference to turning your compost, can I use a Auger? on a drill to work it? Aerate it - Think of a Tulip bulb planting size, Or a Large Paint / or concrete mixing paddle, Not a Ice fishing auger, LOL- And maybe adding a little Urine to the mix for a nitrogen mixer? just trying to work Smarter not harder in my Sr years.
Yes! That's a smart tool to use and makes it a quick and easy job
I've totally done this before.
I am new to gardening/composting. I am anxious to start using this technique. Can I use my dirty tropical water as well?
As long as there is no salt.
Does this work during during the winter in a rotating composter or will it be too cold in your zone?
I use jadam microorganisms and water from the weed rott tea for that.
Always put some old compost and earth in the compost.
Great idea Luke😊
Is there an ideal time to add it to an existing pile thats sluggish? November in Minnesota...wait til spring or add now since its so mild out?
I hope you can help me, my compost heap when I turn it over has lots of bugs, Question, can I use this compost when starting new seeds or young plants?