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Grass Clippings added to compost pile #751614

Asked May 23, 2021, 2:58 PM EDT

Must grass clippings be allowed to dry to brown before adding to my compost pile, or should I add the same day, fresh cut grass clippings to the compost pile to heat it up? Stephen

Windham County Vermont

Expert Response

Hi Stephen.  Freshly cut grass clippings can be added to the compost pile or bin.  It will not necessarily heat up the pile unless there is a good balance mixture of green materials (grass clippings, vegetable and fruit scraps from your kitchen) and brown materials(leaves, shredded paper. wood chips, cardboard).  You also need adequate air pockets, moisture and size of the pile to compost at a high enough temperature to kill the weed seeds that may be in the pile.  Even with some of these not being ideal for hot composting, you will still get grass clippings to compost on its own, just at a much slower rate. A pile of predominantly grass clippings will mat and compost ar a much slower rate.

All is not lost, composting at home is a very doable and good thing to do.  It takes understanding the science and art of composting, to get it to work, anyone can do some form of composting.  The end product will improve your soil texture, raise its organic matter content and feed your garden, including your lawn.

Here are two pdf guides for backyard composting.  Also check out the composting presentations offered by your solid waste district.
https://www.uvm.edu/sites/default/files/Extension-Master-Gardener/The-Dirt-on-Compost.pdf
https://www.uvm.edu/sites/default/files/Extension-Master-Gardener/NEKHomeCompostig.pdf
If you really want to compost much more seriously,either for yourself or your community, sign up for the online UVM Master Composter Course.
https://www.uvm.edu/extension/mastergardener/master-composter-program
Completing the Master Composter course this past fall has improved my own composting practices.  All the success to you.



Enrique Peredo, UVM Extension Master Gardener Volunteer www.uvm.edu/extension/mastergardener Replied May 25, 2021, 8:57 AM EDT
Hi guys,
It is June 18
shall I thin my peach trees now? Red Haven, Hale Haven;  They have not done their "natural" drop yet; should I wait for them to drop a "lot" of fruit? some fruit is pushing toward ping pong ball size almost, some is small marble size.  Thanks
Stephen Stearns
Brattleboro

On Sun, May 23, 2021 at 2:58 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

Dear Stephen,

Thank you for using Ask Extension. A request for support has been created and a representative will follow-up with you as soon as possible. You can view this question's progress online.

YOUR QUESTION #0021545:

Grass Clippings added to compost pile

Must grass clippings be allowed to dry to brown before adding to my compost pile, or should I add the same day, fresh cut grass clippings to the compost pile to heat it up? Stephen

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The Question Asker Replied June 18, 2021, 8:59 AM EDT
As difficult a task as it may be,  you  should reduce the fruit set for better fruit quality, not stress the tree too much and increase the possibility of fruiting consistently from year to year.  Hear is a more detail guide on things to consider when doing it. https://extension.oregonstate.edu/gardening/berries-fruit/fruit-thinning
Enrique Peredo, UVM Extension Master Gardener Volunteer www.uvm.edu/extension/mastergardener Replied June 18, 2021, 10:23 AM EDT
Thanks for the tip on using grass clippings in my compost.
Q:  one of my beds is deficient in Nitrogen and Potash; how do I cure that?
Thanks Stephen Stearns

On Tue, May 25, 2021 at 8:57 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied June 20, 2021, 7:30 AM EDT
Did you submit a soil test for your gardens?  Recommendations are usually given in terms of the amount soil amendment to apply to a garden.  I would encourage you to do one, because soil ph and the amount of organic matter will affect the availability of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potash as well as other trace minerals. 

If you did a soil test, please let me know what the soil test number was and we can help you interpret the results.  
That being said, blood meal is a good source of Nitrogen and should be applied at the rate recommended on the package.  It is a fleeting amendment so more is definitely not better.  It will promote vigorous foliage growth but may affect fruit and root vegetable production.  Composted manure may provide sufficient Potash.  Balance is the key, soil ph, the amount of organic matter the levels of available N-P-K,  and trace minerals all contribute to good healthy soil.

Attach your your soils test pdf or at least it's #.



Enrique Peredo, UVM Extension Master Gardener Volunteer www.uvm.edu/extension/mastergardener Replied June 21, 2021, 5:58 AM EDT
thanks for your info
will do as you say
used simple hardware store test kit so don't have numbers
Go Pro fertilizer seems a good thing to add
I did cover beds with rotted cow manure last fall; did not dig it it; am using the "No Dig" raised bed  method and have very active compost bins now so will have lots of compost to use soon
best Stephen

On Mon, Jun 21, 2021 at 5:58 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied June 21, 2021, 1:18 PM EDT

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