need composting advice

around the first of the year i am going to get a 50 gal trash can with the wheels to make a compost bin...saw one in a compost book...had about 20 or so 1/2 inch holes in it
i am going to get a bale or two of alfalfa hay for the green and use hardwood leaves for the brown
list of things i have on hand
blood meal,bone meal,cottonseed meal,pulverized dolomite lime,granular gypsum,worm castings and a small pile of half rotten firewood
i know the greens and browns need to be in layers...of the above ammendments what should i use,how much and should i use it between each layer or every other?
also going to use a couple shovels of the dirt around the rotted firewood to jump start the micro beasts...thanks for any words of wisdom

Compost is really easy pretty much when you make a mistake like to much greens it stinks and to muchbrown makes composting really slow so really you cant messs up you just got to get in your groove..but i would recamend a worm farm makes composting a breeze

Alfalfa seems to be a SUPER GREEN, it seriously promotes the right beasties. If you can get some rabbit poop, especially if they've been fed alfalfa, it seems to be MEGA SUPER GREEN good stuff.

The bin sounds like it'll have lots of good holes, so.. layer your stuff up, make sure it's a bit moist and let her rip, eh? If you want to, you can inoculate with soil microbes, and pre-mixed fertilizers such as the Dr. Earth line have instructions for how to use them to jump start your compost.

Oh, I would save the amendments you've listed as -- blood meal, bone meal, cottonseed meal, pulverized dolomite lime, granular gypsum, worm castings -- leave that stuff out of the compost. Pick one calcareous source, too. I don't know much about gypsum if it ain't wall-board, but dolomite lime is very excellent good stuff as an amendment, don't put it in the compost.

w99illie,

i found that a tumbler type can increases the compost time dramitically...meaning one you can spin around upside down...also throwing some water to keep things damp worked as well. google the tumbler design and build one yourself, i promise you will be much more satisfied with your results.

i had thought of trying to make one with a clean 55 gal drum if i can find one

If you want fast compost do it partially submerged in warmish water with a good bubbler..

W99illie,the 55 gal drum is perfect,Imo i'd leave out the lime & gypsum.Then water,water,water & tumble everyday.For the brown stuff I chuck in old potting mix n leaves,also put a bucket underneath to collect any juice.Strewth,last but not least,i'd put doors on both ends just to make life easier.

W99illie..... I thought you might like this. There are also a bunch of other videos that are listed, when you view this one. No one is selling anything in these, they are all homemade.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NdKlZqQpKo
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I put browns, greens, kitchen waste (veggie only) and old soil from previous grows in mine. I use alfalfa pellets or bunny poop to give it the Nitrogen jump start. Frequent turning, equals a faster finishing time......
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Hope this helps...
Keep it Real...Organic.....

Awesome find, thanks Ohsogreen.

Ohsogreen said:

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I put browns, greens, kitchen waste (veggie only) and old soil from previous grows in mine. I use alfalfa pellets or bunny poop to give it the Nitrogen jump start. Frequent turning, equals a faster finishing time......
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Hope this helps...
Keep it Real...Organic.....

Click to expand...

Ohso I just got through watching a couple of those videos. Maybe you should make one titled " How I grow the Super Chronic " I hit some of your shit last night, slept like a baby.

catincombs said:

Ohso I just got through watching a couple of those videos. Maybe you should make one titled " How I grow the Super Chronic " I hit some of your shit last night, slept like a baby.

Click to expand...

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Catincombs.... Do you think I could get Ronco to market it or should I go with the Chia Pet People ? LOL ... Just in time for Christmas.... " How to grow Chronic "...plus a bonus -Ohsogreen teaches you how to make rotisserie (THC stuffed) rosemary chicken - guaranteed to put a smile on the relatives faces...... It just might sell... ????
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Glad you got the desired result with that AK-47 cross of mine, it's quite special.
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Keep it Real...Organic...