compost and used soil

So I am finally getting a compost bin this week and it has a 13 cu.ft. capacity. I also can go through 15-20 gallons of soil per month and I was wondering if I could mix the used soil into the compost or if their would be a problem with that? The soil and all additives are organic, in case this matters. Just looking for a way to use and get rid of some of this soil. If I can use the soil in my composter how much should I use? This is my first time composting so I appreciate any help.

Absolutely. Throw that shit in the compost bin!

The heat of the composting process will destroy any diseases in the soil. Any residual fertilizer in the soil will leech into the pile and be diluted.

Yes you can.I have a this compost unit here it is :Compost Digester
Makes composting easy!
With each Compost Digester you order, you’ll also receive 4lbs of Compost Alive Free!I got it a while ago and i works great!I have throw oranges off my orange trees and old trimmings from my May J's and old potting soils,some garbage out of the house i use and the material comes out a rich earthy smell to it. KEEP SMOKE ALIVE!!!

yup i do it too ! i mix perlite into my 1 gal pots of compost to make it fluffyer and when plants are done i dump them into a 10 gal pot when the 10 gal is full i take it out to my compost pile and mix it in. by the time i need more the old soil is well mixed from rain and turning.

Composting is a must!!KEEP SMOKE ALIVE!!

so the heat and mixture will kill all the disease in the used soil? but i have an open bottom in mine how will i kill the bugs that help break down the compost material?

Don't kill those they are part of the ecology,meaning that alot of those insects are there to help your compost be the best mix around! LET THEM LIVE. KEEP SMOKE ALIVE!!

highwayman said:

so the heat and mixture will kill all the disease in the used soil? but i have an open bottom in mine how will i kill the bugs that help break down the compost material?

Click to expand...

The insects and bacteria are vital to the composting process. After composting is complete, simply strain it to remove the large elements which have not broken down. I have found that simply placing finished and strained compost in a black bucket in full sun will prompt most bugs to exit. Extreme heat will kill or drive off almost everything insect-wise.

ok thank you

Well thanks for all of the help guys. Does anyone know how much soil I can/should put in the bin as a ratio to the composting material?

Guys i have a compost bin in my backyard that hasnt bin touched for 7years now.

From what i can remember i threw grass clippings, dead plants from my guarden, leaves, and dog crap in it.

will that make good soil for growing?

regrets said:

Well thanks for all of the help guys. Does anyone know how much soil I can/should put in the bin as a ratio to the composting material?

Click to expand...

As much as you want. The key thing to remember is to determine when you will stop building you pile and you start cooking your pile. I recommend a two bin system, meaning you can constantly have one bin building while one bin is cooking.

havvoc88 said:

Guys i have a compost bin in my backyard that hasnt bin touched for 7years now.

From what i can remember i threw grass clippings, dead plants from my guarden, leaves, and dog crap in it.

will that make good soil for growing?

Click to expand...

Depends on what the dog ate..LOL,just clownin' i would use it.As long as it breaks down,which it will.

so what would be the best way to break it down?

and should i take the compost from the top or the bottome of the pile beacause its a plastic box with door to grab it from the top or bottom.

sorry newb to this
Thanks for the help

havvoc88 said:

so what would be the best way to break it down?

and should i take the compost from the top or the bottome of the pile beacause its a plastic box with door to grab it from the top or bottom.

sorry newb to this
Thanks for the help

Click to expand...

It's best to let it cook as a whole. If you choose to keep adding, start another pile.

The process takes time, turning the compost speeds up the process considerably. I just complete my piles and let them cook. No turning required.

no dog poo bad bad bad. if you have worms it works a lot faster but keep their food more abundant than the soil, the soil is just for digestive purposes. worms are friends not food

Johnnyorganic said:

The insects and bacteria are vital to the composting process. After composting is complete, simply strain it to remove the large elements which have not broken down. I have found that simply placing finished and strained compost in a black bucket in full sun will prompt most bugs to exit. Extreme heat will kill or drive off almost everything insect-wise.

Click to expand...

composting isnt complete until everything is broken down. 1000 worms will go through 3-4 lbs of food (greens browns) 2000 worms will double that depending on how much space you have. its okay to have a few sticks and stuff but the biggest indicator on ready compost is its smell, if you dont like the smell, its not done, if it smells good, you're done

havvoc88 said:

Guys i have a compost bin in my backyard that hasnt bin touched for 7years now.

From what i can remember i threw grass clippings, dead plants from my guarden, leaves, and dog crap in it.

will that make good soil for growing?

Click to expand...

brendon420 said:

no dog poo bad bad bad. if you have worms it works a lot faster but keep their food more abundant than the soil, the soil is just for digestive purposes. worms are friends not food

Click to expand...

It is not recommended that pet waste be included in a working compost pile. However, after seven years, organisms persistent in dog doody are no longer a factor.

In other words, you posses what is known as a non-active, completed, compost pile.

brendon420 said:

composting isnt complete until everything is broken down.

Click to expand...

I disagree. I routinely strain out hard carbons like branches and sticks which, while still decomposing, have not finished even though the rest of the pile is finished. Just add them to the working pile.

IGTHY said:

Yes you can.I have a this compost unit here it is :Compost Digester
Makes composting easy!
With each Compost Digester you order, you’ll also receive 4lbs of Compost Alive Free!I got it a while ago and i works great!I have throw oranges off my orange trees and old trimmings from my May J's and old potting soils,some garbage out of the house i use and the material comes out a rich earthy smell to it. KEEP SMOKE ALIVE!!!

Click to expand...

How does that compost bin work?