The bales are two years old. Will we still have nutrients once I break down with nitrogen?
It will, still, have nutrients in it, though adding nitrogen is not going to break it down, rather it will contribute to the nutrient content. You will still have to add phosphorus and potassium, along with all of the micro and trace nutrients. Straw alone won't contain a whole lot to begin with.
These articles will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/fertilizer-numbers-npk.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/composting/ingredients/how-to-compost-hay-bales.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/composting/basics/ultimate-beginners-guide-composting.htm
I live in sub tropical Queensland Australia. I have just found your site and I love it. I hope you can help me with my Query. Regards, Rosie
Absolutely! This is the best way to use manure, is by composting. This article will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/composting/manures/cow-manure-compost.htm
I've just cleared out a space between buildings under conifers and have 4 bags of compost. Is it any use, or is it too acidic?
Sure, there are some things that you can do with conifer sheddings. These articles will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/mulch/pine-straw-for-mulch.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/pine/harvesting-pine-needles.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/composting/ingredients/composting-pine-needles.htm
Hello, I found and find your site extremely helpful for a variety of issues with my garden and lawn. Thank you. However, the 25 parts brown to 1 part green suggested in the composting section, is difficult to achieve. Consider the amount of lawn clippings (we leave ours on the lawn), fruit and veggies in a home compared to the amount of brown products. The ration is clearly the other way. We compensate somewhat by using cardboard, but no way do we ever approach 25:1. Have you any suggestions for the many households that do not have a ton of trees about; or who compost in Summer when there are no fallen leaves around in sufficient weight, to help with the accumulation of enough carbon to outweigh the food scraps by 25 times? Secondly, if bacteria and some fungi break down matter for composting to occur, then why will bad black spot fungi not be killed in the composter, please? Thank you. Tom.
Actually, it should be more like 4:1! This will be much easier to achieve.
This article will explain: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/composting/ingredients/browns-greens-compost.htm
As far as good and bad microbes- Composting is, usually, done at higher temperatures. Most good microbial activity will flourish much faster than bad at composting temperatures. It will be a matter of out-competition. Proper composting conditions are very important in order to achieve proper decomposition.
This collection of articles will help, further: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/composting/basics/ultimate-beginners-guide-composting.htm
During that process it seems to increase the production of worms
This collection of articles will guide you in vermicomposting correctly, which will give you plenty of worms for your garden: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/composting/vermicomposting
Started a fresh compost bin but noticed white fungus
Those fungi are what turn your organic matter into nutrients. This is an integral part of composting.
These articles will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/composting/manures/fungus-growing-on-manure.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/composting/basics/ultimate-beginners-guide-composting.htm
I have used quite a number of baskets, tubs and troughs this year which I wish to reuse next. Rather than empty them all and refill, can you advise me on what I can add so that they suitable for next years plants? Thank you.
Sure, it doesn't take a whole lot to re-use soil! This article will help you to know what you can add back to it to promote vigorous plant growth:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/organic/the-importance-of-soil-for-an-organic-garden.htm