How long can/should I leave my compost?

[Maersk]

While you are stewing that I would add a 20L bag of biochar. It will also take out the stink.

Yea, I noticed the smell the other day and thought perhaps that could help.

I brought a 5kg bag of lumpwood charcoal, but smashing it up to smaller pieces became such a task that I thought to myself I will leave it for the next grow and do this one without it...

 

[OrganicGorilla]

While you are stewing that I would add a 20L bag of biochar. It will also take out the stink.

That's something that I'm going to add to my soil in the future. I've read good things.

 

[ShLUbY]

@ShLUbY Thanks for the info... I really hoped I could leave the compost outside for the month in the sacks, if what you said is true abo the biology being effected by some warmer temps in the day and colder in the night, then I will have to bring my soil inside in that case... my house is gona stink of it. dang it.


Of all the different products offering multiples enzymes, minerals, vitamins, which one would you say I get?
In the UK, we dont have such a big range like in the US...
I can get Seaweed, insect frass, and Azomite

Also, I think the word cooking seems appropriate, as doesnt the compost turn slightly warm in the center from all the bio-activity?

your soil should NEVER and i mean NEVER "stink". if you're soil smells like shit, it's because it's gone anaerobic, and will need to be dryed, re-inoculated with compost tea, and monitored carefully. Otherwise, your soil should not be noticeable to you. The initial few days will have a "different" smell, but never putrid. after a week it should smell more and more earthy and sweet every day.

 

[ShLUbY]

That's something that I'm going to add to my soil in the future. I've read good things.

i'll be doing a biochar challenge in my thread in the future so stay tuned for the experiment!!

 

[OrganicGorilla]

your soil should NEVER and i mean NEVER "stink". if you're soil smells like shit, it's because it's gone anaerobic, and will need to be dryed, re-inoculated with compost tea, and monitored carefully. Otherwise, your soil should not be noticeable to you. The initial few days will have a "different" smell, but never putrid. after a week it should smell more and more earthy and sweet every day.

I agree. Even composed cow manure smells earthy, not like shit and it's actual shit!

 

[Maersk]

your soil should NEVER and i mean NEVER "stink". if you're soil smells like shit, it's because it's gone anaerobic, and will need to be dryed, re-inoculated with compost tea, and monitored carefully. Otherwise, your soil should not be noticeable to you. The initial few days will have a "different" smell, but never putrid. after a week it should smell more and more earthy and sweet every day.

Yes, perhaps stink was not the best word, however leaving 400Litres of EWC, peat, and some other stuff does leave a earthy smell, and its not one thats plesent throughout the bedroom its left in...

 

[OrganicGorilla]

i'll be doing a biochar challenge in my thread in the future so stay tuned for the experiment!!

I'd love to see that. I'd follow along

 

[ShLUbY]

Yes, perhaps stink was not the best word, however leaving 400Litres of EWC, peat, and some other stuff does leave a earthy smell, and its not one thats plesent throughout the bedroom its left in...

earthy smells are pleasant to me

 

[ANC]

Yea, I noticed the smell the other day and thought perhaps that could help.

I brought a 5kg bag of lumpwood charcoal, but smashing it up to smaller pieces became such a task that I thought to myself I will leave it for the next grow and do this one without it...

Put it outside in a bucket of water for 3 days, then stir to a pulp.

Remember if you add uncharged biochar directly to poor soil, you will initially see reduced yields.
That is because the charcoal will be absorbing nutrients.

 

[ShLUbY]

Yes, perhaps stink was not the best word, however leaving 400Litres of EWC, peat, and some other stuff does leave a earthy smell, and its not one thats plesent throughout the bedroom its left in...

and be sure to not just leave the soil alone, it will need to be turned/mixed at least once a week.

 

[Maersk]

and be sure to not just leave the soil alone, it will need to be turned/mixed at least once a week.

I asked this earlier, and was told not to mix it will negativly effect some of the fungi/bacteria structures...

No need to mix or stir. Really the fungal growth your going for doesn't like to be disturbed. I age AL soil directly in final flowing pots. And just transplant right in. Never mix anything up.

@ANC when adding the charcoal lumps to water, does that soften them up?my lumpwood is not granular

 

[ShLUbY]

Put it outside in a bucket of water for 3 days, then stir to a pulp.

that's a great idea. i just put my between an old sheet and smashed it with a hammer... but soaking it would keep the dust down... THANKS!

 

[ShLUbY]

I asked this earlier, and was told not to mix it will negativly effect some of the fungi/bacteria structures...

i think its critical to mix the first 2 weeks to get air into the soil where organisms have used up most of the oxygen that they need to thrive. the second 2 weeks it can be left alone or rested in the containers you'll be planting in. Everyone has a different method use your best judgement and ask yourself questions, "why am I doing this" and be logical.

 

[OrganicGorilla]

that's a great idea. i just put my between an old sheet and smashed it with a hammer... but soaking it would keep the dust down... THANKS!

Would smashing it in an old pillow case work? Would that be as good as actual bought biochar?

 

[Maersk]

Would smashing it in an old pillow case work? Would that be as good as actual bought biochar?

Ive tried that, along with a tarpaulin bag, the dust come through the fibers quite easily and it becomes a very messy task
Also, the smashing itself its not as easy as it sounds...

my latest idea was to get a very thick bag and run over it in a car, i didnt get the chance to test it yet.

 

[ANC]

You get different quality biochar. Some may be high in certain minerals already.
I would not stress too much about it. just get it into the soil. If you put it in after you did your harvests, add composts and amendments and just cover it with grass clippings or bark chips it should be ready by spring. You may see an initial negative reaction, your soil needs to adjust and pH will go up in the short term. Which is why it is good giving it time to catch some rain and neutralise.

 

[ShLUbY]

Would smashing it in an old pillow case work? Would that be as good as actual bought biochar?

it will be as good or better once you actually charge the char. It must be charged so it doesn't rob your soil of nutrients when you first apply it to a mix. if you charge it before putting into the mix, it will already be full of cations and microorganisms if charged properly. I made some a while back and put it in a mix, and it worked really well, i just never recorded the results. Now i'm looking for ways to tune in my organic garden for maximum production so this is something i'll be working with in the near future and being scientific about it. probably gonna get a journal to start keeping track of trials and results.

forgot to mention there are two common methods of charging: bubbling in a bucket with organic fish hydrolysate and a couple other things and brewing an AACT at the end of that bubbling process right in that bucket. The other method is to add it to a new pile of compost, and charging it via composting processes and your compost will contain the biochar which will then get incorporated into your soil mix.

 

[OrganicGorilla]

it will be as good or better once you actually charge the char. It must be charged so it doesn't rob your soil of nutrients when you first apply it to a mix. if you charge it before putting into the mix, it will already be full of cations and microorganisms if charged properly. I made some a while back and put it in a mix, and it worked really well, i just never recorded the results. Now i'm looking for ways to tune in my organic garden for maximum production so this is something i'll be working with in the near future and being scientific about it. probably gonna get a journal to start keeping track of trials and results.

forgot to mention there are two common methods of charging: bubbling in a bucket with organic fish hydrolysate and a couple other things and brewing an AACT at the end of that bubbling process right in that bucket. The other method is to add it to a new pile of compost, and charging it via composting processes and your compost will contain the biochar which will then get incorporated into your soil mix.

Is store bought biochar already charged?

 

[OrganicGorilla]

Also, how much biochar should be added to each gallon of soil? 1 cup?

 

[ShLUbY]

Also, how much biochar should be added to each gallon of soil? 1 cup?

1 cup is definitely a good start. no more than 1.6 cups of that 16 cups (one gal) should be biochar.

i would assume most biochar that is sold in grow stores is charged. ask the guy at the store (which some will have no clue lol) and read the package to be sure. if it's still unclear, ask the manufacturer!