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Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

We probably all do it. Personally I'll toss almost any type of organic residue (food or yard waste) onto the heap. And yes, even some of the Duke plops land in there, but I usually bury them in.

Food scaps are usually limited to coffee grounds (mine, the deli, & Starbucks), spoiled fruit & vege's, etc. No meat scaps though.

Now my new thought. What about Pasta? Any thoughts or additonal items we might wish to compost?

Steve

2/12/2004 3:21:04 PM

Taber, Alberta

I got on the coffee grounds kick and went to my local 7-11. They were thrilled to let me take theirs. The first day they gave me about 15 pounds of used grounds, the only catch was they could not separate the filters from the grounds. Does anyone know if the filters can be composted? I heard once that newsprint could be composted if it was shredded.

Alan

2/12/2004 5:00:27 PM

Norton, MA

Oh ya, filters can be composted. I don't see anything wrong with pasta at all. Howdya think of that one Steve?Alex.

2/12/2004 5:37:30 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

I love the coffee grinds and the filters are gone with a roto tilling....Heres one I like....Easter brunch at a big restaurant where they whip up so many eggs....grab them shells!..excellent source of calcium.
Chuck

2/12/2004 6:44:40 PM

Montoursville, PA

I would post one area, of concern, due to increased awarness of the elements of compost on this site. I investigated the local big brand name seafood house in our community for sea type shells and waste.
....While talking with the manager and looking to see how I could make it easy for them to let me enjoy their waste I desided that I did not really want it anyway. Their waste contains a lot of oils, including butter, and salad dressings. Oils to that extent may not be in the best interest of the ballance. Another concern was not answered as to what preservative was in the components of their salad making lettuces and such.

...The biggest undesirable factor was that there was no seperation of the elements of garbage. It all came together in one huge garbage can. The second factor was the quick turn to rancid in warm weather and finally to much oil. I know a commercial opperation could deal with composting this mix. I am not sure we amateurs would be able to handle it. It sure has potential as good stuff if you could deal with the elements without difficulty. The vollume in just one restrurant was two fifty gallon containers a day. That's a lot of goodies!!!

2/13/2004 9:38:53 AM

Ontario, Canada.

I have a deal with King's Buffet Restaurant in Barrie ON. They provide to me all the compostable material from veggie scraps. My pile is getting higher and higher. This is a diverse mix of materials, from beans to cauliflower.

2/13/2004 10:58:09 AM

Appalachian Mtns.

I use veggie scraps, horse manure, wood, grass, hay, last years healthy pumpkins, leaves, coffee grounds and filters, blood meal...anything but meats, animal oils, and dog/cat crap (had to tell the wife no) BUT...if you can get a large pile going that'll reach a core of 145 degrees plus, dead animals will break down and the heat will kill all pathogens. The neighbor and I have a pile of sawdust and hay with rabbits, squirrels, crows, birds, groundhogs, deer and a dog or two in the center pile that's been sitting for 2 years or so....haven't used any yet and won't for 2-3 more years.

2/13/2004 11:31:14 AM

Wisconsin

I have come to the conclusion that there is a great art to proper composting. I have posted here before on a couple "super composts" that I have found in my area from farmers that have learned to compost their organic wastes. Their final products are far better than anything that most of us would ever achieve in terms of much higher % Organic Matter levels, nutrient levels, etc..

From what I can tell, they aren't concerned much about what they throw into the pile (I don't know about food material). They are, however, very careful about how it composts. They monitor the composting temperature and moisture levels very carefuly and turn the material at very specific intervals.

I am convinved that there could be a huge advantage growing pumpkins by learning to compost properly. I have toyed with the idea of getting relatively fresh manure and composting it outside the garden each fall under very careful conditions instead of just throwing it on the garden and letting in breakdown on its own.

2/13/2004 12:17:50 PM

Montoursville, PA

Jim.........why not do some of both activities. I am buying one load to start my compost pile right after I put two thirds of the old pile on the patch. Last fall I put a load of semi fresh cow manue into the patch. More manures are freebee's but I have to gage the work too.

I agree with you that compost will improve soil very quickly. Compost tea from good quality compost is even better. Done correctly within a few years no other fertilizer will need to be added. Done correctly and with a little luck no more insecticides and fungicides will need to be administered. We have folks that are doing this now. There is no reason why any small grower could not do this and do it well within a couple of years from a serious starting point.

Applications and proceedures for larger growers are constantly being tried or tested. Most who make the effort with proper guidance and coaching have improved their profit pictures while being able to change their practices away from the synthetics if not completely eliminating them.

Another one of Rachael Carson's speaches contained this conviction: "No civilization can wage relentless war on life without destroying itself, and without losing the rights to be called civilized."

2/13/2004 3:14:23 PM

Sheridan . NY

You cant do any better for the patch than compost--- and everyone should try to keep a pile going a year a head of time so you have end less supply-------

2/14/2004 10:15:57 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Agreed. I would suggest the most difficult & important task is turning for aeration. Probably nothing stalls more composts. Even drought is more forgiving I have found.

2/14/2004 11:26:11 AM

Sheridan . NY

keeping microbes and the pile going turning is a big key --no one said pumpkin growing is easy--------

2/15/2004 10:52:44 AM