I have a very small space with neighbors all around me. Can I make a small compost in a 5-gallon bucket? Is it ok if I just use coffee grounds in my garden?
Yes too both questions. These articles should also help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/composting/basics/choosing-compost-bins.htm, https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/composting/ingredients/coffee-grounds-gardening.htm
Have many gum ball trees continually dropping gum balls. We rake and trash now and want to know if composting would be a more desirable alternative.
Composting plant materials is always preferable to trashing them. This article will introduce you to the basicshttps://www.gardeningknowhow.com/composting/basics/composting-basics.htm of composting:
Found info on wood ash uses in gardens and composting. No info on charcoal ash, if I should use or not. Need help!
I think this depends more on the type of charcoal used. If it's natural wood charcoal then it's okay to put the ashes in your compost. If it is the type that has additives (chemicals), including lighter fluid, then I wouldn't use it in compost. Check the ingredients and the label. Also, be sure to let it sit for several months to age before using on plants when putting the ashes in the compost.
Why does my compose pile smell? Last summer I mixed shredded newspapper along with a bag of cow munure, shredded leaves, coffee grounds, tea bags, kitchen scrap, and grass. This is the first time I added shredded newspaper and the compost is not ready to use this spring. Yes, I have turned my compost twice this year.
To prevent smells in the compost pile, you need a good balance of greens and browns. This article should help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/composting/ingredients/browns-greens-compost.htm This article will help fix the problem: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/composting/basics/compost-smells-bad.htm
Are there significant benefits to removing the thin lining from the eggshell before composting?
There really is not any benefit to removing the thin lining from the eggshells. There is a lot to be gained by smashing the eggshells up into as fine a pieces as possible though. It can take a very long time for them to break down into truly giving the full benefits to the compost pile and the gardens if left in large pieces. Breaking them down into very small pieces speeds up the break down process and gives you their full benefits far far quicker. Here is more info: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/composting/ingredients/eggshells-in-the-garden.htm
Just wondering if we can put sawdust (from a tree we just cut down) in our compost bin even though we saw termites in the wood?
This article should help you with that: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/composting/ingredients/using-sawdust-in-your-compost-pile.htm If the termites no longer have anything to feed on, they will likely die or move elsewhere. The heat from the compost pile may also kill them, so this shouldn't be a problem. If they do survive, it is unlikely they would cause any damage to your plants, as they typically only target unhealthy trees.
I worked compost into my raised beds and noticed a very strong ammonia odor. My beds are for vegetables and herbs. What do I do now? Will I be able to plant this year? I have about 1.5 yards left that I was going to spread on my flower beds. Can I use this or will it burn my shrubs?
Ammonia smells from compost usually mean too many greens and not enough brown material in the pile. Here is more information: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/composting/basics/compost-smells-bad.htm, https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/composting/ingredients/browns-greens-compost.htm