Turning the compost pile.

[MFL]

Good morning,

Now that the horse pasture is established and the horses are home, my wife and I are planning a good size organic garden for next spring. I've been reading a lot about making compost and since I have A LOT of two main ingrediants ( horse manure, and dead leaves), I want to get started on composting now to be ready for the Spring. Here are two questions I haven't seen addressed anywhere else.

1. Can I turn the compost pile with my FEL without compromising the composting process in any way? My wife has been looking at the Compost Tumbler because of the ease of use and the speed of the composting process. I think that if I can turn the pile with my FEL without damaging the compost we can save the money on the tumbler and it would be just as easy.

2. I was thinking about creating a composting pit cut out of a low hill and lined with railroad ties. This way I could dump manure from above and turn the pile from the level side. Will the railroad ties (creasote) damage or adversely effect the compost?

Thanks!

 

[JerryG]

Your mixture needs plenty of air or it won't work right. If you build in into a bank, it won't have the airflow that it needs. As far as using your loader, it will work fine. When you turn the mix, sift it out of the loader. That way you will integrate more air in the mix.

 

[Egon]

Just pile it up and turn it over and keep adding to it. Put a little dirt in it too.

 

[guyrj33]

Don't use railroad ties, you don't want creosote near your food crops.

 

[Doc_Bob]

Will the railroad ties (creasote) damage or adversely effect the compost?

Thanks!

Creosote is "bad". But I can't imagine it would harm your compost. Creosote is very bad to burn.
Bob

 

[Doc_Bob]

Good morning,


1. Can I turn the compost pile with my FEL without compromising the composting process in any way? My wife has been looking at the Compost Tumbler because of the ease of use and the speed of the composting process. I think that if I can turn the pile with my FEL without damaging the compost we can save the money on the tumbler and it would be just as easy.

I turn my piles when they stop "steaming".
Bob

 

[monkeymonk]

Air is key,you can add some pipes to the pile and pull them out when you want to turn.

Could also make a large size bin out of well anchored pallets the slots will give you air and a place to stick pipes or just pile er up and turn with tractor.

tumbler might not be big enough for your application with horse's,

cresote WILL leach into the pile and i wouldn't want that in my garden

 

[Doc_Bob]

ATSDR - ToxFAQs™: Wood Creosote, Coal Tar Creosote, Coal Tar, Coal Tar Pitch, and Coal Tar Pitch Volatiles

Some interesting Creosote facts.............................

What is creosote?Creosote is the name used for a variety of products: wood creosote, coal tar creosote, coal tar, coal tar pitch, and coal tar pitch volatiles. These products are mixtures of many chemicals created by high-temperature treatment of beech and other woods, coal, or from the resin of the creosote bush.
Wood creosote is a colorless to yellowish greasy liquid with a smoky odor and burned taste. Coal tar creosote is a thick, oily liquid that is typically amber to black in color. Coal tar and coal tar pitch are usually thick, black, or dark-brown liquids or semisolids with a smoky odor.
Wood creosote has been used as a disinfectant, a laxative, and a cough treatment, but is rarely used these ways today. Coal tar products are used in medicines to treat skin diseases such as psoriasis, and are also used as animal and bird repellents, insecticides, restricted pesticides, animal dips, and fungicides. Coal tar creosote is the most widely used wood preservative in the United States. Coal tar, coal tar pitch, and coal tar pitch volatiles are used for roofing, road paving, aluminum smelting, and coking.





How might I be exposed to creosote?

• Eating herbal remedies containing the leaves from the creosote bush (chaparral) which are sold as dietary supplements.
• Working in the wood preservative, coke-producing, or asphalt industries.
• Using creosote-treated wood in building fences, bridges, or railroad tracks, or installing telephone poles.
• Living in treated-wood houses that may result in air or skin contact with creosote.
• Drinking water contaminated by a hazardous waste site.

 

[Doc_Bob]

Can you imagine using Creosote as a laxative? Or a cough treatment?

ATSDR - ToxFAQs™: Wood Creosote, Coal Tar Creosote, Coal Tar, Coal Tar Pitch, and Coal Tar Pitch Volatiles

Wood creosote has been used as a disinfectant, a laxative, and a cough treatment, but is rarely used these ways today. Coal tar products are used in medicines to treat skin diseases such as psoriasis, and are also used as animal and bird repellents, insecticides, restricted pesticides, animal dips, and fungicides. Coal tar creosote is the most widely used wood preservative in the United States. Coal tar, coal tar pitch, and coal tar pitch volatiles are used for roofing, road paving, aluminum smelting, and coking.

Bob

 

[MFL]

Thanks to everyone that replied! Lot's of good info! My wife a I have a 15 month old and the I more I read about the commercial food suppy, the more I'm committed to growing at least part of our family's supply as organically as possible. As a former city slicker, I have limited experience in growing anything, but we've been blessed with a little land and I'm going to give it a go. As I dig deeper into all things gardening, I'm sure I'll be asking a LOT more questions.