Prepping Positively

Composting Ideas You Can Use on Your Farm or Homestead

October 10, 2022 Ann Marie Season 1 Episode 21
Prepping Positively
Composting Ideas You Can Use on Your Farm or Homestead
Show Notes Transcript

Compost is known as black gold in the homesteading world. In this episode I am going to share with you a few cool ways you can make compost on your farm or homestead that you may not know about.

Episode 21 - PP

Composting Ideas You Need To Start Using on Your Farm or Homestead


Every homesteader knows the value of great compost for their gardens. But composting goes way beyond the traditional methods you may be used to! 


In todays episode I am going to talk about some great new ways you can build compost you may not be aware of. Here we go…



Hi and welcome back to the Prepping Positively Podcast! I’m Annie and today we are talking about that Black Gold. Nope, not oil, compost!


What comes to mind first when you hear the word compost? Is it that bag in the big box store? Or maybe the typical 3-bin compost that many gardeners have?


Although those are two options for having compost on your property, there are many other ways of obtaining compost for your gardens.


Of course the first compost method is a mound. This is simply where you combine a mixture of browns and greens and keep it covered, then turn it occasionally until it forms that rich compost you need. This method is fine but it does take much longer, and could involve more work in the long run.


The second method is the bin method I mentioned above. Here, you build one, two or three bins out of wood or pallets. 


You start your compost mixture in the first bin. Right about the time the first bin has turned to usable compost you start the second bin. The process is repeated for the third bin. 


When the first bin is empty, you start over. With this method, once the process is started, you should pretty much have compost whenever you need it.


There are also commercial tumbling bins available. These are usually heavy plastic drums that you add your “ingredients” to and then crank the barrel to mix it occasionally until it is ready. 


These composter's  are great for the average homeowner adding compost to their tiny gardens on occasion, but definitely wouldn’t work on a larger scale. They can also be quite costly too.


One really cool and simple way to make constant compost is to do ground-composting. This is where you simply add your scraps of brown or green directly to the bed you are planting in,  as often as needed.


Now there are ups and downs to this method. It is easy to add your scraps right where you need them. If you do it right, you will definitely see the addition of earthworms in the soil which is always a plus.


However, many HOA’s frown on composted food being piled directly on the ground. And wild animals like raccoons and rats could be attracted to the site. Use caution and keep a close eye on things when using this method.


Another cool way to make compost is using what I call, leaf rings. These are best for those who live in a climate where the leaves fall during autumn.


To make a leaf ring, you simply use left over fence pieces and make them into a circle. You stand them upright just like a roll of fence would be and stake them to the ground.


Then, when the leaves start falling, you can add the leaves, some grass and whatever else you normally would add to a compost pile, and let nature do its course.


This is a great project for all those left over pieces of fencing you have when you install a fence and only have some cutoffs left. I use these a lot. I just let them sit as full as can be over winter, and in the spring, I have compost!


The last method is actually called vermicomposting. In this form of composting, you use worms to do the composting for you. It starts with a bin that you fill with shredded, damp newspaper. You add worms, some soil, and some food scraps slowly. 


Over time ,the worms eat the scraps, and what they leave behind is the best nutrient rich materials for your gardens. This is a slow process and you need a ton of worms if you want to receive a lot of composted matter, but for the small garden, this method is perfect.


So there you have it. A few great ways to make and produce your own compost on your farm or homestead. Are any of these new to you? If you want to learn more about compost, just got to my website, roadtoreliance.com and search for composting for even more information and even some free goodies.


So keep getting that compost ready and I will see you next Monday! Happy homesteading!