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Ray, North Dakota

I deal with soybean seed which in some cases comes in a 2000 lb mesh tote bag. If I store my grass clippings in these large bags, will it break down sufficiently, or is on the ground or buried better? I can poke holes to give it air. The reason I am thinking of this is that I can get as many of these bags as I want, it won't have as much odor around the yard, and it looks a little better. Any ideas on my idea?

3/29/2006 1:30:56 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

Herbie in our big compost pile we have a big "L" shaped chimney made out of 4" perforated PVC. What this does as the pile heats up it pulls fresh air in. Plus a compost pile should not smell...earthy may be but not smell. To much nitrogen will sause this.

3/29/2006 4:14:30 PM

Ray, North Dakota

I had a big load of grass clippings laying in my garden for some time this summer, and it smelled like rotten grass. Anyway, the wife made me till it in earlier than I wanted, and it didn't break down much. I am thinking that in these woven mesh plastic bags, the clippings and such can heat up and break down nicely, without an ugly pile of dead grass in the middle of my yard.

3/29/2006 5:06:34 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

If that is all you are trying to compost is gras clippings that is your problem with smell...You need some carbon in there...Browns..

3/29/2006 5:36:11 PM

Norton, MA

Yes, add dead leaves, vegetables, that stuff. From what I've noticed personally, some of that sour dead grass smell can be eliminated if the pile is turned VERY often, and kept wet. Too wet is bad for compost though. I'd give the bags a try, but I would think that you'd develope a sludge in there. AleX Noel.

3/29/2006 7:12:28 PM

Follansbee, Wv

The smell you noticed is coming from anaerobic bacteria. This is caused by too much water. Shannon is right. You need to add "browns" and keep the pile aerated. Even large bags with holes in them will be very hard to turn properly and will probably not allow enough air in to help.
If you are concerned about the looks of a compost pile, build a composting bin. There are many designs that are easy on the eye and wallet.

3/30/2006 6:09:52 AM

Ray, North Dakota

What if I put a piece of PVC drilled with holes through the center of the bag? Air should circulate, and if I leave the bags light enough, I can roll them around the yard a couple of times to mix it up. Should work I would think. We end up with so many of these bags after soybean planting, it is hard to believe that they can't be used for something more useful than hold seed. We end up burning them at the end of the year. They also will make nice shades for the pumpkins.

3/31/2006 4:58:07 PM

Norton, MA

It all depends, what are they made of? Plastic I assume (but if you burn them?). If they're thick paper like a fertilizer bag, the'll fall apart fast. The pvc is an idea, but there's not alot to move that air. I'd try some of this, and see if it works. AleX.

3/31/2006 7:55:25 PM

Ray, North Dakota

The bags are a woven plastic mesh. They have to be strong to hold 2500lb of soybeans. I'll mess around and experiment, might be the new thing.

The snow is leaving us and the dog droppings are showing up. Should I till those in the patch or would they do more harm than good?

4/1/2006 1:44:04 PM