Hello everyone! My name is Ferdi, I'm a composting rookie from the DFW area in Texas. I just wanted to say, how happy I am that my 3ftx3ft compost pile was steaming yesterday when I turned it, thank God. I have used kitchen scraps(egg shells, tree leaves, fruit and veg waste, grass clippings)

Any advice from experienced composters? I am going to wait 3 days for the pile to heat up and then turn it again. How do I know when it's finished? Can I add more kitchen scraps to it, or should I start a new pile?

I encourage anyone who wants to start composting, to do it! Instead of making trash, why not make compost.

Thank you all if you read this and nice to meet you. I'm looking forward to posting in the future. ✌️ Peace out, the Ferd.

Ferid and congrats on your start! It can be addictive.

While you're off to a great start, be aware that it does not (usually, reliably) "turn into all finished compost in xx weeks" as some articles imply. Keep it moist, the heat of action can cook it dry. Like a wrung out sponge, I've seen said. I take the view that you are 'growing' a crop of organisms, and they do best with a given range of moisture, temps and nutrients, like any garden crop. If not getting their best, they will grow but be slower. It's all good

I think most of us end up adding to the same pile for some months, then starting a new one. I probably do that about 2x a year. I pick a new location for the pile, then open up the existing one and start transferring the dry outer layers and chunks to the new spot. Lower in the pile you find more finished stuff (looks like dirt, few identifiable bits) which you then use. So you're kind of sorting as you go. Some do this with a sifter, to get a nice uniform crumbly product. Others just toss the mostly finished compost into the garden, or dig it in.
I could go on and on- been composting something for about 45 years gawd that makes me sound old.

Hi SallyG, thanks so much for the advice! I think that composting for +40 years makes you sound distinguished, if I may say so myself. Only wish I had started sooner. Question: Is it a good idea to turn the pile every day?



Quick Update: So I waited 4 days to turn the pile, spent the 3rd day trimming a tree. I noticed it was starting to get a bit smelly and matted, so I added branches and tree limbs to let air pass through it.

Thanks again sallyg, I look forward to learning from and sharing with you all. I can't wait for more fun in the sun! 😎 Ferdi De La Rosa

I would not turn it every day. I also dump the contents of my vacuum sweeper into my compost bin - it composts very quickly.