[Calliope]

I started a compost heap last year and I really thought by this year that it would be half filled. It's not. It seems that everything I put in it just shrinks down and doesn't rot or anything. It's still just sitting there. Is there something else I need to do besides turning and throwing veggie, leaf and grass scraps in it?

[jason]

They sell compost starters that adds the stuff that helps it compost faster. I am having a huge brain lapse and cannot think of what it is called or that exactly it adds. Your local home depot or lowes should sell it though.

[Justin]

Composts doesn't decay immediately even for a year. They need some time to convert into soil. You can add the compost starters if you like but what I do is to water the compost pit to make the decaying process faster. You can add urine because the acid on it will help.

[webhouse]

Yes it shrinks because it is decomposed. Just leaf scraps and other vegetative are not enough. If you want it to compost faster, you need to put manure in it. A compost starter will also help to accelerate the process.

[cero]

Originally Posted by Justin

You can add urine because the acid on it will help.

And leave it to me to ask this, but where exactly are you going to get the urine from? I have never heard of this and I am a little interesting in learning (of compost, not exactly just the urine part).

[Hamster]

You can also 'start' it with soil. When you prepare your compost patch you should dig the soil, and dig the first of your composting material in, so that there is soil left to mix into the stuff higher up. Then the worms and bacteria that are needed from the soil get mixed in.

[Calliope]

OH!!! That makes sense. I don't think I'll go with the urine idea but I will go to Lowe's and get some compost additive, I'm sure they will know what it is. I'm really disappointed because I don't have all of the lovely dirt that I thought I would have.

[Bella]

Someone feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, but don't coffee grinds help with making compost? I thought I read somewhere that they could help speed up the process.

[homemaker]

I have heard of people putting coffee grinds in compost. My husband's grandmother would also mix used coffee grinds in the soil when she planted something new. Not sure what the purpose is though.

[webhouse]

Originally Posted by cero

And leave it to me to ask this, but where exactly are you going to get the urine from? I have never heard of this and I am a little interesting in learning (of compost, not exactly just the urine part).

Urine contains a high amount of Nitrogen which is the main nutrient for plants. You would need to dilute urine before using it to nourish your plants.

Cows are a great source of urine. I ever read somewhere that a cow passes up to 15 liters of urine a day.