Starting my first compost pile!

I've just secured a number of pallets (if I compost here it has to be contained In a "structure", no free range compost piles allowed! ) it's still winter here in S.E Virginia, and all I have is brown leaves, pine straw and a butt-load of soggy fungusy mixed wood in all diameters and a dependable supply of rabbit poop via 2 bunnys and kitchen waste.

Am I good to go? Planning on mixing all this stuff up until it looks like a cubic yard or so the get out of natures way.

That pretty much it right? I can pee on it if it makes you happy.

Some pics!

All I'd add is that those pallets on the bottom might come back to frustrate your when your turning and scooping the stuff. Also if you can get your piles in contact with the ground they'll benefit from all the helpful mircos living in your soil and then when you move the piles the soil will be singing from all the leechate.

I'll be honest, I had to google "leechate"
Awsome idea! Thank you!
They will be removed, I'll use the for vertical planters or something.

I concur about those bottom pallets but it's nice to see a new compost pile in the making. Have fun with your growing!

You might use the bottom ones to partition it into two bins. When the first is full, turn/toss it into the second one. Fill up the first one again and let the second one finish. I would probably skip the bigger branches from the pile. Use for kindling or hugelkulture. Good luck.

More pallet culture! I have 2 pallet box compost piles. I think they are great for making bins for composting.

Now if only mine would heat up

And don't fret about the seemingly endless recommendations for compost. Green/brown ratios to the third decimal place, etc. Make a big pile of organic matter, and it will break down. If it smells, throw something brown on it. Turn it once in a while if you want to.

That mossy wood might take a while to break down too.

The process will be expedited if you can lay your hands on some good active compost and use it as a kickstarter with its soil organisms ready to rock. If weather is cold you could drape a tarp over the top to retain the heat and facilitate the cooking. Make sure it is wet but not soggy and aerated - you could poke some holes with a stick. And you should be ready to go. After a few days to a week, remove the tarp and feel for steam or rising heat - gratification.

Sam Cook wrote:I can pee on it if it makes you happy.

I assume you're a boy 'Sam'...
Darn you males and your easy-peeing ways
And yes, it would make me happy!
I always keep my compost covered in old carpet-allows air movement, but keeps moisture/warmth in, and flies etc out.

Very entertaining Ted talk on composting:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9OhxKlrWwc

I've embedded that video below.

Leila Rich wrote:

Sam Cook wrote:I can pee on it if it makes you happy.

I assume you're a boy 'Sam'...
Darn you males and your easy-peeing ways
And yes, it would make me happy!
I always keep my compost covered in old carpet-allows air movement, but keeps moisture/warmth in, and flies etc out.

Leila - just get a large mouth cup and practice!!!

Sam - I agree that you'd be better off with your heap directly on the ground and using the two pallets laying down as one end and a divider for two bins.
As for your ingredients, it's unlikely you'll have enough greens to create a hot pile. Just pile up your stuff and let it begin to decompose. When grass clippings become available, then you can make a pile that really cooks.

"Leechate".. Didn't know the proper name for that until now, thanks.

This is how i start new beds. Bury wood under the soil, compost pile on top then plant the next season.

Granted you can't move the location of your pile each season if your constricted by your TPA.

Definitely remove the pallets from the bottom. In my opinion, The benefit from contact with the ground will be greater than the increased airflow.