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California Gardening

Help! New to Composting

fruit_n_vegetables

10 years ago

My compost bin is a 3 x 3 x 3 homemade bin. So far I added grass clippings, fruits and vegetables, shredded cardboard, leaves, and chicken manure. I did this in no specific order; just dumped everything on top of one another. I'm trying to maintain a proper C:N ratio. I started my compost about 8 days ago and the center of the 14-16inch high pile is warming up. I'm watering it whenever I see that it's dry and am turning it every day. Anything I did wrong? And how do you measure your C:N ratio?

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Comment (1)

napapen
9 years ago
It sounds like you are on the right track. I don't do hot compost but if you have time it is a good idea. You might consider a compost thermometer to see if you get up to 140 degrees.

Hot compost mixes are usually a one time deal - make it and let it cook. Adding items to it takes a longer time.

Penny
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