Comosting 'old grass' clippings?

wishiwere · Post by **wishiwere** » Jun 06, 2006 8:52 am

So, are grass clippings that have been piled up for year considered 'brown' rather than 'green' if I add them NOW to a compost pile? They are really dried, as they were just piles near the compost bins last year and never added to it.

Can I use them now (will they add to the compost) and if so, do I use them as a brown or green addition?

Thanks!

Justaysam · Post by **Justaysam** » Jun 06, 2006 10:08 am

I would say they are a brown addition, but they will still benifit your compost pile. ANY organic material you add will benefit the overall compost pile. Worms and micro bio org. don't really care if something is brown or green, just the pile's decomposition works better when it is a mix of the 2. Just make sure to sprinkle it well with water thru out the season, it really helps alot.

wishiwere · Post by **wishiwere** » Jun 06, 2006 10:47 am

Great, that's what I figured, but........haven't done a true compost laying yet. SO IF I get this cow/horse manure, I could layer this with the grass and fresh grass and it's good to go in what? A year? End of summer, when do you think?

Justaysam · Post by **Justaysam** » Jun 06, 2006 9:42 pm

Most people let it cook for one complete season. So if you get it now, in June, you could use it next June. If you turn it, and water it, it will cook faster, and you may be able to apply it sooner

.

wishiwere · Post by **wishiwere** » Jun 06, 2006 9:47 pm

Thanks! That's what I'm thinking. I'll layer the manure, the old grass/leaves pile and the new grass from this year. Thanks tons!

Ginger · Post by **Ginger** » Jun 27, 2006 4:45 pm

Don't forget to add all your vegie leftovers from the kitchen! I keep a bucket in the kitchen and all lettuce greens,onions pieces, carrot trimmings, potato peels etc go into the compost pile. I count them as greens, and count dead leaves, soil and manure as browns. Also, put your coffee and tea grounds in.

Ginger