Make Your Own Potting Compost

Рет қаралды 116,724

Жыл бұрын

Either buy compost for propagation, or you can make it. With homemade you know what's in there. See possibilities here: having good materials to make your own needs forethought and that you made suitable compost.
Why compost not soil?
Compost has a fine crumb structure, good aeration, decent drainage. Although the soil at Homeacres is great soil, it is dense and wet in cells and pots.
What makes a good mix?! In order of importance:
1 Nutrient density, 2 Good drainage, 3 Holds moisture, 4 Weed free.
I show three possible main ingredients sieved to 4mm,
1 Own compost
2 Worm compost
3 Woodchip compost - must be dry enough to sieve, makes manure difficult
PLUS in small amounts (and why) are soil, perlite/vermiculite, sand, minerals like seaweed powder, wood ash, basalt dust.
00:04 Any new sowings are for trial purposes!
00:38 Multisown radish, 5 seeds per cell
00:54 Result with homemade compost when it's good
01:39 Dramatic comparison between 2 different composts
02:04 What is digestate 'compost'
02.31 So-called 'organic' compost
02:49 My composts for this video
03:00 Result of sieving homemade compost to 12mm / half inch
04.20 Result of sieving composts to 4mm / 1/6in
04:58 Composts need to be dry for sieving to work
05:58 18 month old compost 4mm
06:25 Three year old wood chip to 4mm
07:07 Worm compost to 4mm, includes a little soil from being on the ground
07:58 How to run worm composting at different scales
09:17 Be creative, according to what you have available
10:10 Amazing weight differences of soil, compost, vermiculite
11:29 Wood ash
11:51 Rockdust from basalt / volcanic
12:38 3 kale plants, 6 months in 2L. pots of different composts
13.15 (spent) Mushroom compost
13:44 Propagation fun
14:16 An easy way to mix ingredients
Children's Gardening Book charlesdowding.co.uk/product/...
Online propagation lessons, short course charlesdowding.co.uk/product/...
We did more compost trials in the greenhouse last spring • Comparing different co...
And this is one of me How to Propagate • Propagation 2 first so...
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Пікірлер: 439

@smouncy2359 Жыл бұрын

I am 11 and I watch these videos not even with anyone I chose to watch these and usually it’s the parents telling the children how to grow thing and garden but I am the one that tells my parents what to do 😂 I am obsessed with growing things

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

Great attitude, often you will know more than your parents, except in terms of "lived life" and dealing with problems :( Gardening and growing is great for gaining many insights though, and having a brighter brain, I wish you well.

@smouncy2359 Жыл бұрын

@@CharlesDowding1nodig thank you you much for replying ❤️

@GreenSideUp Жыл бұрын

It's been about 4 years now since I made up my own compost mixes, simply because all of my compost has been aimed squarely at making no dig beds. But my recipe was aimed at the old John Innes one, which I would make a couple of dustbins full of, then change each batch as I needed to use it, making either more free draining or richer as needed. I think compost is going to be such a huge thing from now on with prices going up and quality going the other way. I would urge all gardeners to start making their own and experimenting...Steve...🙂

@therian_forever12 Жыл бұрын

Yes, if you grow a lot of things in pots it can be a huge expense.

@Electedsphinx40 Жыл бұрын

Compost and chickens are about to be huge as everyone is realizing these two literally put half the food business in shambles

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

😂

@albertbell7120 11 ай бұрын

Yes and once these lunatics have phased out peat based … tried this season and most things without peat what I’ve grown are no where near the ones in peat based … started to make my own compost

@christinethompson3579 6 ай бұрын

⁠@@albertbell7120they want rid of peat because it works! If we grow our own food we don’t need to buy it so the lunatics make no money from us. Don’t forget they’re trying to control us fully .

@royormonde3682 Жыл бұрын

I built a compost bay system back in 2018 modeled on your main compost area you have with the tin roof. Mine is a 3 bay system about 1.5 metres square in each bay and a couple years ago I made a couple frames that sit on top of the 3rd bay with 10 mil screening which the final compost goes through just before I use it, taking the large woody material out which then goes back into the second bay for more composting. I also use this screening rack for drying the onions in the fall......cheers Charles, your videos are as always very informative and contain real world practical knowledge we can see and follow as your garden grows. Looks like 2023 will be another very successful year.

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

Thanks for your lovely comment, Roy and you are clearly a very practical man! That's a brilliant idea.

@christopherburman3340 Жыл бұрын

Rock dust is good in worm compost. Worms are like chucks. They need grit or sand to chew on. So rock dust is a good mix. Worms also seem to like a little lime

@tedbastwock3810 3 ай бұрын

9:07 "... that mix is working for me at the moment... Its not like I can give you the perfect recipe that can work every time ...your X will be different from mine, your Y will be different than mine ..." There have never been words spoken that are more honest than this. It takes a true teacher, it takes someone with a true understanding, only the best teacher can speak like this. Even greats of the past, and greats they indeed were, pushed and promoted their own specific and detailed recipes that they claim worked everywhere. Charles is clearly the GOAT, bar none. Thank you, Professor Dowding

@CharlesDowding1nodig 3 ай бұрын

Many thanks Ted 💚

@nickhammersonrocks Жыл бұрын

NOTHING LIKE GETTING FREE COMPOST !!!!!! THANKS PETE PEAT !!!!!!!

@redmonkey3556 Жыл бұрын

About the Rock dust, I put it directly in my worm composte so it can composte with the rest, its a realy slow process to break it down but the microbes love it.

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

Yes, absolutely right! That's actually how are use it mostly, and it's why I should prefer to use seaweed for the extra minerals here, I'm getting some next week

@redmonkey3556 Жыл бұрын

@@CharlesDowding1nodig seeweed or kelp is good but feromagnetic basalt rock dust bring something else to the table

@redmonkey3556 Жыл бұрын

@@CharlesDowding1nodig the reason I use it is for de diversity of microbes that feed on it diverity is life, more diversity never hurts

@eb1684 Жыл бұрын

Looks like a beautiful January day in England!

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

Was amazing!😎

@9172Nee Жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing, great information!

@angelapriddy6308 Жыл бұрын

Thank you so so much for sharing your knowledge. Love your channel

@naomi2646 Жыл бұрын

Thank you Chatles, I enjoyed the visit, great information

@georgegretzky7139 Жыл бұрын

I want to thank you for beautiful knowledge

@user-rc5dc3cv1y Жыл бұрын

Здравствуйте Чарльз! У нас ,в Самаре, ещё глубокая зима. Получаю удовольствие от просмотра вашего ролика. Осенью привезла с дачи компост для рассады,за что Вам очень благодарна! Ваши советы пошли мне на пользу! В конце февраля буду сеять томаты и перцы для выращивания в теплице. Раньше, когда не готовила компост,покупала и добавляла в грунт гранулированный конский навоз. Теперь такой необходимости нет. Есть компост! И он мне заменит это! Здоровья Вам ,Чарльз и огромных урожаев! С приветом к Вам из России!

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

Я взволнован, чтобы прочитать это! Удивительно, что вы так далеко и пользуетесь этими знаниями и идеями. Я очень рад, что теперь вы можете делать и использовать хороший компост

@valerieburkett2903 Жыл бұрын

This is great information . You are a gem!

@gmantoon Жыл бұрын

Loved this video

@Picci25021973 Жыл бұрын

That's the video I was waiting for!!! Love it!!!

@lelandshanks3590 Жыл бұрын

Thanks Charles for this starter mix info, very nice for young plants.

@namthomson1124 Жыл бұрын

Thank you ❤

@denisecarvill4705 Жыл бұрын

Great video.

@gardening_with_william_demille Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the awesome ideas Charles.

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

My pleasure and great that you are the first to comment William 🌱

@rickthelian2215 Жыл бұрын

Now we need to see the results of seeding something within this mix😀🇦🇺

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

Yup you will!

@anniecochrane3359 Жыл бұрын

really really useful - thank you

@TheFarmDream Жыл бұрын

Really like the idea of a worm compost. After seeing you do it over the last month's I feel we need to give it a try this year!

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

Go for it Raymond, space requirement is not too much!

@johndyer9232 Жыл бұрын

@@iteerrex8166 Not what? Who? Raymond, is a person Charles apparently knows to operate the site the comment came from.

@mcoates111 Жыл бұрын

It goes to -40° where I live, so I put my little wormies in a garbage can and put them in my utility room where it's cooler than the rest of my home. They munched on my kitchen scraps, and I just checked them the other day. They are happy and active and multiplying like crazy. Experiment is a success!

@mojavebohemian814 Жыл бұрын

Thank you

@kangtani_indonesia Жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing information about compost

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

Most welcome, appreciate you watching from Indonesia 💚

@bernadette6211 Жыл бұрын

So interesting, thankyou

@imahippyburning3303 Жыл бұрын

I always learn something new with your videos - Many Thanks!

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

How nice thanks

Жыл бұрын

Thank you! I have learned somuch from your comparative trials over the years....

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

Great to hear! 🥬

@tree.....4884 Жыл бұрын

thats my boy Charles!!!! was just talking about making potting compost this week, yeaaaaaa boiiiiiii

@odette8905 Жыл бұрын

Always inspired after watching a video with you, Charles. Thank you.

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

Glad to hear that Odette :)

@helenlatimer9230 Жыл бұрын

Thank you Charles for all your videos and knowledge, I’ve learnt so much from you. 😊

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

That is nice Helen, thanks

@mdriskell3057 Жыл бұрын

We received your children's book in the mail! It is absolutely wonderful, and we look forward to the experiments! I also received your No Dig book for Christmas! Thank you for all the hard work you and your team do to help us grow food!

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

Ah good, thanks for sharing!

@zoestanisstreet8058 Жыл бұрын

great video, really well explained thank you

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful Zoe

@MotosAllotmentGarden Жыл бұрын

Great video, Information will come in handy for next month when i start sowing all my seedling, Thank you 😊

@OffGridWithTheUdens Жыл бұрын

Charles I feel you are one of the world's treasures ☺️☺️ Looking into doing one of your online courses and cannot wait!

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

Wonderful and thank you

@teresasoler9539 Жыл бұрын

😊Thank you! Your channel = my favourite 🤩

@wales123100 Жыл бұрын

The cd 60 and the other trays are brilliant

@elvinross4685 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing your knowledge, this cleared a lot of cloudy ideas I have about making my own propagation compost.

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

Super!

@aquplants4203 Жыл бұрын

Ok excelente compost

@hamletharris7729 Жыл бұрын

I really enjoy your videos, thank you.

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

I'm so glad!

@robertling9872 Жыл бұрын

Thank you Charles for this interesting video about compost based potting soil. Good luck with the new growing season.

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

Thanks, you too Robert

@monique4048 Жыл бұрын

So interesting and answered questions I had on my mind lately. Like the idea of being creative and just trying things out. Looking forward to the next video. Thank you Charles! 🙏

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

I'm so glad Monique

@tinawagener7942 Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for talking step-by-step, how to make potting soil. I container garden and this is perfect!

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

You are so welcome Tina

@christiannepogie5937 Жыл бұрын

So relaxing…. Great Video❤

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

Thank you! 🤗

@homegardens7682 Жыл бұрын

Going to be using some of my own potting compost this year. Thanks for the additional nudge! Great video Charles.

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

Best of luck

@ibrstellar1080 Жыл бұрын

Another information packed video and I love the experiments you share with us as it offers a brilliant template for learning new methods.

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

😀💚

@rickthelian2215 Жыл бұрын

I’m glad to see the worm castings, I was wondering how the worms where doing.😊

@kensearle4892 Жыл бұрын

End of January, Golf in Hawaii, and a Compost video from Charles Dowding... signs to start thinking about the garden again :)

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

😂 amazing mix!

@patriciavincent5076 Жыл бұрын

Great information. I’m going to spend much more time cleaning and regenerating my gardens this season. Thank you Charles!

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

💚💚

@ht6684 Жыл бұрын

That's brilliant using the worm composte as a screen. I have some laying around.

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

👍

@fabiennekasbergen287 Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for all you do to educate and make people enthusiastic about no dig and the pleasure of growing your own food. Since a few weeks I have the garden space to start my own 'Eden' and am happy to have you 'by my side' (on youtube, articles, book etc).

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

Best of luck Fabienne 💚

@jonahpoll9886 Жыл бұрын

First year of making my own compost. You are a big inspiriation ! Greets from holland

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

Thanks Jonah, go well

@lindareynolds9567 Жыл бұрын

Thanks

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

V kind Linda

@tara981 Жыл бұрын

Danke für die Informationen. Lg aus der Eifel 🌱

@curtdunlap6818 Жыл бұрын

Buckets work well for mixing potting mix, but a cement mixer is so much more fun! 😄 I removed the handle and snapped a lid on my bucket, then rolled it around on the ground. That seemed to work pretty well. It would also be a good way to entertain your young gardeners for a while too!

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

😂 good thoughts, but I'm no fan of motor noise!

@howardchambers9679 Жыл бұрын

@@CharlesDowding1nodigyou know you can get electric mixers? I use one to mix in some sharp sand with my home made riddled compost. Makes a lovely seed compost.

@albertbell7120 11 ай бұрын

I use to use a mixer when I grew my show leeks … secret ingredients all went in and made life a lot easier

@tomm5228 11 ай бұрын

Great video, just moved and have a compost bin, fantastic compost in, hope I can make some

@CharlesDowding1nodig 11 ай бұрын

Best of luck!

@stevendowden2579 Жыл бұрын

really interesting

@3DPrinterAcademy Жыл бұрын

Always amazed at how good your seedlings look. I 3D printed a 4mm sieve and it works great!

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

You are so cool Stephen! What do you reckon it cost in materials, electricity and time? I know that's not the point for you, but I'm just interested.

@3DPrinterAcademy Жыл бұрын

@@CharlesDowding1nodig Great question! it would cost $5.09 USD in materials and roughly $0.38 USD in electricity (at UK electricity rates) and 5.5 hours to print.

@artstamper316 Жыл бұрын

@@3DPrinterAcademy So cool!

@heronildacolonfuentes4247 Жыл бұрын

Saludos Charles desde Puerto Rico!!!🌱🌱🌱🐞

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

Allo Heronilda :)

@weescotsman17 Жыл бұрын

Great to see you mention Rock Dust as one of the compost ingredients. Many years ago on holiday in the Pitlochry area we visited the Farm where they started the concept. 1000ft up on a windy mountain side it was incredible to see the size and quality of the fruit and veg they were producing. Utterly mind blowing in such a barren place.

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

Very cool!

@ThatBritishHomestead Жыл бұрын

i need to dig out my compost really!

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

Great winter job

@janetrush8340 Жыл бұрын

Oh my a new book for children. Had to stop the video and go order it. Now to go make compost and get some seeds started. Thank you Charles, I've learned so much from you.

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

Hope you enjoy it Janet and thanks 💚

@plazazrce Жыл бұрын

Wonderful video, one of your best. Full of energy, knowledge, passion, and moreover you share these priceless lifelong acquisitions openly! Great work for peace a better healthier world. Thank you Charles! By the way I use CD60 trays, the happier in the world.

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for your feedback and I am reassured. Glad you like the trays!

@morgan0598 Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for this. I'm currently doing smaller ways of composting since I don't have much space but eventually when I move somewhere with more property I plan on making all my compost needs. Your videos help me learn so much every time. I love your tests comparing the different composts. I appreciate that you don't say 'don't do this or that' you actually explain why I should steer away from this or that.

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful! Yes the reasons are important.

@anniinglucksdorf960 Жыл бұрын

This was such a wonderful video! I managed my compost much better last season then the ones before and "harvesting" great compost felt like my biggest achievement last growing season! It feels so empowering! I did start new beds with store bought compost last season and growth was very poor. Spreading my homemade compost on top this autumn felt so good!

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

This is wonderful to see Anni, and it makes me happy that you are happy! And empowered.

@lisabevans8107 Жыл бұрын

Ty Charles. This was just what I needed. I've wanted to get going on preparations. It's just been so cold here (your lows have been our highs). I've had no ambition. Happy composting.

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

Glad I could help Lisa. Brr!

@lisabevans8107 Жыл бұрын

@@CharlesDowding1nodig lol -10 f last night.

@geofflowton4165 10 ай бұрын

bought 2 of the childrens books the grandchildren are fascinated with it thank you

@CharlesDowding1nodig 10 ай бұрын

Wonderful to hear that Geoff, thanks

@soniasarina Жыл бұрын

Very interesting, thank you!! I will try the « leftover » from last years hotbed (horse manure) which had many worms in it after a few months as this years potting compost. 😍

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

Best of luck Sonia, and dry it a little first somehow if you want to sieve it

@nizamkuccukaytekin2845 Жыл бұрын

Türkiyr'den selamlar.Bu değerli bilgilerin için size teşekkür ederim. İnsanlara yüzde yüz faydası dokunacak bilgiler veriyorsunuz. Kısmet olursa baharın kırsal bir alana taşınacağim ve orada hobi plarak sizden ögrendiğim bilgileri uygulamaya çalışacağim.

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

Bunu duymak çok güzel! Paylaşım için teşekkürler ve başarılı bir hareket diliyorum

@happyfisherman4432 Жыл бұрын

thanks Charles, I learn a lot from you and apply it to my attempts at growing a few things like herbs, salad greens, bush beans and tomatoes on my 2nd floor apartment deck in 10 gallon grow bags. this will be my 5th year. I am in zone 8b on the west coast of Canada,, I live by myself so it is a great hobby. I spend lots of time out on my deck in summer just drinking a beer and relaxing enjoying the greenery.

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

Sounds great, thanks for sharing, hope you get out there soon

@alanchamberlain4173 Жыл бұрын

Really excellent teaching video. I'm probably not going to make my own potting compost (though I am going to buy some CD30s etc) but there is so much information and illustration there. Great. Thanks again.

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful Alan, thanks

@BillLowenburg Жыл бұрын

Great suggestions, thanks! I like the idea of experimenting. Everyone has to find out for themself what works in their area with the materials available. I always have three or four compost piles going and their composition always varies. In general I use a lot of oak leaves, grass clippings, kitchen cuttings, wood ash. I also keep several “long-term” piles, with old garden plants, weeds, leaves, and ornamental grasses. In these I don’t chop anything, I just pile it up. These piles take years to break down and I often use them as mulch around small trees I’ve transplanted. For me there’s no perfect formulae for compost, soil, etc. I just combine a big mixture of organic ingredients and turn the pile over from time to time. I’ve found that trying to achieve fast results isn’t worth the worry - I mean after all aren’t we interested in gardening as an alternative to the attitude of instant gratification promoted by the online and advertising world?

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing this Bill, and your last sentence is magnificent! It's part of the joy of making compost, seeing how long is needed and how it always varies 😀

@dorotaguziak8838 Жыл бұрын

świetne informacje Mistrzu

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

💚

@naturegirlmia Жыл бұрын

AMAZING!!!! You speak of cow manure. Our Jerseys got out last Fall and a few of them were roaming around the lawn when we got back home. We now see after the snow has melted very green, a little taller, very round maybe a foot by foot circles out growing the other lawn grass in the lawn. Now if we could just get them to stop and deposit ( and stand still ) long enough where each tomato plant will reside this Summer, lol!!!

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

😂 love this!

@garthwunsch Жыл бұрын

Excellent confirmation of what I’ve been experimenting with… a peat & coir free potting mix! I had two year old coarse arborist’s wood chips that I passed through my chipper that makes very small chips. I’m intending to make more biochar and add a bit of that to aid drainage and nutrients. I didn’t chip the outside of the pile as those bits hadn’t decayed at all.

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

Good work Garth!

@denisebrady6858 Жыл бұрын

Oh Charles this video has come just at the right time for me 😊 as the Seed Raising Mix I have been buying is so woody & I have been having to sift it & yes it is hard work. I am trialing a new one currently so I will hold back my judgement until the seedlings come up & see how strong they are. Great video from you as always. Cheers Denise- Australia (35C over here at the moment)

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

Thankyou Denise and good luck with the new compost. I'm glad you have some warmth as well, everything must be growing very fast!

@karingardstrom9149 Жыл бұрын

Tack!

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

Yup thanks :)

@icouldjustscream Жыл бұрын

Our little garden is urban, so space is an issue. Even so, I still have a homemade pallet compost bin and a twiggy/branchy compost pile where we throw brush cuttings, etc. I would love to have a wormery 🪱, but I would have to keep them in the house over winter here 🇨🇦! My husband would draw the line at that! I do buy a big bag of worm compost in the spring, a little goes a long way. Thank you for the compost tutorial !

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

Well, considering your climate and small space, you are doing really well. And thanks for making me smile at the thought of having a wormery in the house!! I do understand your husbands point of view 😂

@ninemoonplanet Жыл бұрын

I keep my wormery in my kitchen. The worms don't escape, there's no odour, and it so handy to add diced vegs or other things right into. Added bonus, winter doesn't slow it down. I avoid meat, animal products like dairy (that will make it stink) and the allium family, same reason along with the worms just don't like onions, garlic, etc.

@mcoates111 Жыл бұрын

My wormies are in a garbage can in my utility room as it goes to -40° here. No smell, no mess, just happy little worms.

@angelad.8944 Жыл бұрын

@@CharlesDowding1nodig Worms everywhere when the power goes out too, haha 😁

@cherylhowker1792 Жыл бұрын

My worm farm is in my lounge, but it’s more an everyday room and gardening room games room etc. I look after them as little pets really and treat them well they are hard workers and extremely happy here.

@georgegretzky7139 Жыл бұрын

You have the most idea most fantastic gardening I want to thank you so much for great idea are you in Garden for over 30 years and you are the best Gardener I ever saw on KZfaq you should to teaching television you're a Searcher acknowledged on everything God bless you

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

Thankyou George!

@georgegretzky7139 Жыл бұрын

@@CharlesDowding1nodig you have so much knowledge thank you for.

@Hicklety Жыл бұрын

I am going to use your 4-pour method of mixing from now on. Reminds me of how they make a beverage called "teh tarik" travelling in Malaysia.

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

😂

@Divinefemininemiracles Жыл бұрын

Congratulations on the book c🎉

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

Thanks 💚

@jasonhewlett1283 Жыл бұрын

Maybe making your own potting compost mixes will become popular once again. Just like gardeners did before commercially made peat based composts.

@tedbastwock3810 Жыл бұрын

Always love your compost or compost-related videos, always enlightening. Thanks Charles. I would like to think that I can become compost self-sustaining, but if you need to buy off-farm then I guess there's no hope for me. And, as you've shown here and in other videos, homemade compost still has an important place even if we still need to purchase elsewhere. Thanks again, Charles, best to you.

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing Ted. Some bought composts are good

@tedbastwock3810 Жыл бұрын

@@CharlesDowding1nodig Indeed. And I've learned from you and have warned others to look out for aminopyralid :)

@spir5102 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the great info. I have been using Elliot Coleman’s recipe by in his Four season harvest book. I use green sand, phosphate and alfalfa meal as nutrients. It has worked well but I appreciate new ideas.

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

Sounds great! And yes, one can always improve/change according to what materials are available.

@spir5102 Жыл бұрын

@@CharlesDowding1nodig thank you. Just a note, I did find last year that green sand was hard to get hold of. So that’s why I appreciate the alternatives you show us. Blessings!

@christopherburman3340 Жыл бұрын

Worm compost is a winner. I add a little to fairly regular compost as an innoculant. Use soil blocks. Soil blocks work well for me in high temperatures (am in South Africa preparing for winter and it has been over 30 degrees C for a month)

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

Sounds very good Christopher and thanks for sharing

@clivesconundrumgarden Жыл бұрын

Excellent, we started seed sowing last year, mainly following your advice, and had fantastic results. This year, we're using 40% our sieved compost, 40% leaf mold, and 20% worms castings. So far, with great success. Thanks again Cheers from Victoria Canada

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

Nice to hear Clive, and that sounds an excellent mix!

@somethingsomething7890 Жыл бұрын

I made my first homemade compost recently and your many videos about it helped so much. The compost is about 7 months old and it's filled with worms and i have been very happy with it

@smas3256 Жыл бұрын

Worms are very happy too. Charles is inspiring. We would have given up back yard gardening but Charles and no dig teaching changed that. Very little expense. Great success. Better tasting. $$$ saved. In our mid 70's, learning much and great exercise.

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

So good, thanks for sharing!

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

💚💚

@garypeluso3300 Жыл бұрын

Great information! I had a store bought compost bin and put in mostly food scrap. To my surprise it attracted literally 1000s of worms. Seems they like cantaloupe melon. Didn't even try to create a worm bin and it produced over 50 pounds of castings in a year. Since moving to a new location I should try again.

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

That is awesome Gary

@billybowen3023 Жыл бұрын

Great video to get me in the mood for the upcoming season. Very keen on worm compost. I would like to buy less compost, making my own potting compost wood be a good way to achieve this.

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

Best of luck Billy. It's empowering too ⭐️

@Qopzeep Жыл бұрын

Thanks! You didn't mention leaf mould as an option. I've taken cuttings from my perennial kale last year and put them in a 50/50 mix of 2-year old leaf mould and well-rotted horse manure, with a little play sand to help drainage. They've taken off like a rocket! It was a little experimental but I'm very impressed. Root ball seems to be healthy and happy. Might use it as a potting mix this year :)!

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

Yes, sorry I wish I had. Just happened not to have many tree leaves here, I need to get hold of some! That's great news about your mix, thanks for sharing.

@compostjohn Жыл бұрын

Nice video Charles. I do a potting mix made from mature food and garden 'waste' composted for about 2 years, aged leafmould, and loam harvested from thrown-away turf made into walls and stacked on pallets for a few years - all sieved and blended using a rotasieve. For an ordinary potting medium, about equal quantities of the three. For heavy feeders, more of the rich mature compost, and for seed growing medium, more of the leafmould. I've had good results from this blend, and plenty of customers coming back for more. I've never used rock dust, but have experimented with drying out some clay subsoil and powdering that and adding it into the 'loam' bit of the mix. I believe clay has some good mineral content.

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

That is all fascinating, John, nice results!

@smas3256 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing. Showing all these examples sure makes life easier. As you said, soil needs drainage. I think plant growth is akin to human. Our bodies use the nutrients it needs. The extra goes down the "drain". It makes sense that plants do the same. A plant uses the nutrients it needs. A well balanced medium is like a balanced diet for humans. I can't take full credit. Garden Like a Viking "plants take up what they need". Nate Muir admires you and your work.

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

Thanks! Nice to hear

@audas Жыл бұрын

Thanks Charles. Again - the key for myself to gardening is that I grow soil. Digestate? I looked it up - anaerobic. There it is. The key to great soil, like any living this is air. It allows all the microbes to thrive which is the symbiotic relationship to the fine filaments on roots for nutrient take up. Rock dust is an American thing and I too am dubious. My compost is basically ALL my kitchen scraps in wheelie bins - meat, possums (Australian here), eggs, anything - then double the weight of wood shavings. Once I have enough I simply create a fast compost pile, well watered down and in 2-3 weeks I have amazing compost. There are lots of large chunks, filled with mycelium. I use this and my six inches of wood chips and the growth rate is excellent. I pull back some chips, lay some seedling / potting mix and direct sow - especially radishes. The available nutrients and they are pushing each other out of the ground ! You have excellent worm farms. But they are too slow for me. And all that sieving with a young family is difficult. Great video.

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

I love this! The basics and suited to your climate, materials and time available. Here I reckon woodlice (slaters) would devour seedlings grown like this, in our conditions. At least we all have air 😀, except in the digesters!

@audas Жыл бұрын

@@CharlesDowding1nodig I have found that chips seems to eliminate almost all critters. I think it provides such a natural habitat like the forest floor that they simply do not need to eat anything else - its very strange. Using straw I found that I was breeding ear wigs and many other creatures. Australia has lots of wind and plenty of heat - so covering the soil has huge benefits. The growth is honestly astonishing.

@rubyquinonez5966 Жыл бұрын

me gusta tu composta mister charly. cerca de donde vivo hay un parque ! descubri que puedo hacer intercambio,llevo semilllas y canjeo composta !

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

que brillante rubi!!

@potagermalo Жыл бұрын

Superbe vidéo bravo 😉😊 A bientôt

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

Merci

@potagermalo Жыл бұрын

@@CharlesDowding1nodig de rien c'est avec plaisir

@WhatWeDoChannel Жыл бұрын

I enjoyed watching that! It’s a bit tricky getting good seed starting medium in England! I’m glad that in Canada we have sustainably harvested Peat!! I do love using Pro Mix. My feeling is that someone in the UK should look into importing Pro Mix etc from Canada, I know we supply the market in the States. Klaus

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it Klaus, v interesting point too!

@berebelliousgirls6831 Жыл бұрын

Very informative video your new subscriber from India 💞💞

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

Thanks and welcome

@SamWest Жыл бұрын

My personal mix 1 part coir 1 part topsoil 1 part wood chip + horse manure mix 1 part multipurpose compost / homemade

@peggyhelblingsgardenwhatyo7920 Жыл бұрын

Good morning, Charles, from Windermere, Florida zone 9b USA 🇺🇸 🌞 Great video 👍 Santa brought a Sifting set and I'm growing muscles. My worm Castings are a bit too moist, and I'm impatiently Sifting. What I am harvesting is so beautiful. 🪱💩🪱 I can't wait to get planting. 70's 🌞all week. Take care My Friend 💚❤️💚

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

Very nice! The best time of year for your climate, I reckon, Peggy! And that compost sounds great, if a little moist for your present!

@Ed19601 Жыл бұрын

Had varying results with commercial potting mixes as well as with compost. Currently i use 'soil' from my chicken or quail coop, mixe with fine sand and a bit of cocopeat. But i keep trying all sort of mixes. In the past i had great results with Mel's Mix (equal compost, cocopeat and vermiculite). Have plenty of woodash as well might give that a try (use it already for my tomatoes)

@CharlesDowding1nodig Жыл бұрын

Great to hear Ed