Just watched William's video on composting. Love and admire that guy. You're a good dad.

@PermaPasturesFarm21

2 ай бұрын

Awesome! Thank you!

I bought comfrey roots from you last Fall, planted in good compost over the winter and then transplanted them once sprouted. They are really thriving and I'm in the Southern Nevada desert. Jerusalem artichokes roots that I also planted in November are doing great. Small steps but I'm proud of them.

@PermaPasturesFarm21

2 ай бұрын

That is so awesome my friend! Thank you for your support and business!

@vlunceford

2 ай бұрын

I also bought comfrey roots from Billly 2 years ago. They were very pretty last year and I harvested most of it to make a wonderful comfrey salve using Old Alabama Gardeners method. This spring they are already huge! Blooming and totally gorgeous! I guess I need to dig up some of them for roots to use for propagation, but it’s hard to tear down so beautiful!

@michaeleshbaugh6797

2 ай бұрын

Well I didn't buy anything but I did learn how to compost from him and his son and its by far the best thing I give my plants ty for all of these videos they have helped me alot keep them coming

Not sure if it has been asked....but why not use the liquid from the buckets for the compost set up?

@AlleyCat-1

2 ай бұрын

I was going to ask about that. Lol

@sharonbegay4458

2 ай бұрын

🤷‍♀️

@PermaPasturesFarm21

2 ай бұрын

I need the moisture to be around 50%. If I use that liquid, it would definitely put me over the top. Also, the water coming off of the Manure would be highly anaerobic, and that would definitely not help.

You shoulda saved the liquid you drained outta the bucket at the beginning, add that back after the fact. That juice is full of good stuff!

@PermaPasturesFarm21

2 ай бұрын

The liquid on the poop was highly anaerobic.

When we have a hen pass prematurely, she goes into the compost pile. I like that quote from Geoff Lawton - "If it lived, it can live again".

Billy, what about those that don’t process animals? I know you most likely frown on people like my husband and I but the only thing I could process is fish. I was raised fishing and camping so no problem with fish and since we are in North Idaho there is plenty. We know plenty of of people here , mostly off grid, that process and barter. We grow a bunch of food that we can trade . We do have a close friend that raises meat goats, chickens and bunnies. Growing a reverse community is so important in the days we live in!

@PermaPasturesFarm21

2 ай бұрын

I am not frowning on you for sure Colleen! Fish are perfect for composting.

Nothing better than turning waste materials into gold, thanks Billy!

@PermaPasturesFarm21

2 ай бұрын

Thank you, Rick!

Can you show us how it looks like under the microscope? Can you compare the microscope analysis to the other compost methods you mentioned? Can you also provide a chemical analysis of your compost?

@PermaPasturesFarm21

2 ай бұрын

I’ll make sure to do that very thing, but it might take a month or so.

I have multiple junk areas. Maybe I should clean up:)

@PermaPasturesFarm21

2 ай бұрын

That’s a good sign that you’re getting things done!

"Use EVERYTHING" Bush hogged 10 acres, scooped the windrows with the loader and layered it in the piles of compost and it is really taking off. Well done!!

@PermaPasturesFarm21

2 ай бұрын

That’s what I’m talking about!

I’ve also started mixing greens and browns at the beginning of a new compost pile, which makes turning it easier because I noticed the greens matting up when I went to turn the pile and also mixing the materials together accelerates the temperature increase. While using a tarp for mixing is ideal, I lack space in front of my compost bins for that. Instead, I’ll lay down a layer of browns in the bottom of my bin, water them, then add a layer of greens. Using a shovel or pitchfork, I’ll mix the greens with the browns, repeating another layer of browns and greens and mixing them together until I’ve used up all my compost materials or run out of space in the bin.

@PermaPasturesFarm21

2 ай бұрын

That sounds like a pretty cool strategy, my friend!

@kennethsword551

2 ай бұрын

Another home run from Billy and Michelle. Golden knowledge, golden results. What a payoff! God bless you all.

I'd also recommend pouring that water off into another container rather than onto the ground. Even if it hasn't been in the bucket for but a few days, it's still a very good fertilizer in its own right having picked up some of the nutrient from the material in the bucket. If nothing else, having it there on the side would preclude needing to use the hose to add fresh water once you've mixed things.

@PermaPasturesFarm21

2 ай бұрын

Some of this water is anaerobic.

I threw some potatoes in the compost pile last fall. It sat over winter under snow & well below freezing temps. I just turned it today, and the potatoes have sprouted. 😄

❤ love all the hacks!!! Use what you got.

@PermaPasturesFarm21

2 ай бұрын

Thank you so much, my friend!

Thank you Billy, you are a gift to humanity.... blessings brother ❤ Jezusa

@PermaPasturesFarm21

2 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for the kind words, my friend!

Out of the 20+ Comfrey I have planted over the last two years, I finally had one come up this year. It is still only about 2 inches tall with 4 leaves. I guess I really need to do a test on my soil/sand that even a weed like comfrey won't grow.😢

@PermaPasturesFarm21

2 ай бұрын

The number one problem we see with Comfrey propagation is the lack of water at first.

@dennistaylor3796

2 ай бұрын

See David the good about your question

@danielb1877

2 ай бұрын

We ordered some from Billy 2 years ago and accidentally left it in the fridge for 3 months. (Yeah I know). Planted it 2” deep and kept watered for a few weeks. Worked out fine. 90% survival 😎 this was in our orchard, which we keep a thick layer of wood chips in.

It’s been awhile Billy since I’ve caught up on KZread.Thank you again for sharing your knowledge.Your making a difference.

Another great video teaching priceless skills! Thanks Fam!

@PermaPasturesFarm21

2 ай бұрын

Thank you so much!

Thanks, Billy! I'll have to take out a loan to get all those buckets 🤣 Just kidding. You really make it easier to get the right ratios.

Home made compost is always better because the bacteria and yeast are endemic to your land! Introducing foreign strains isn't necessarily bad, but local stuff is already used to your exact location.

@PermaPasturesFarm21

2 ай бұрын

That’s exactly what I’m talking about Matt!

Im excited about a tip from Stephan S., who i call the Orchard King!

That’s a really smart system you’ve got! Thanks for sharing that with us!

@PermaPasturesFarm21

2 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching!

My brotha! I don't get to listen to your videos as much as I'd like, but ALWAYS quality! I see what you did there with that DEI comment. 😆. I'm trying to learn from you, but it's slow going so I'm thinking of coming to see y'all. Blessings to you and your family!

@PermaPasturesFarm21

2 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for the vote of confidence, my friend!

Thanks Billy. Always learning from your content and seeing all of the roads that you can take to get to the same store.

Yes I have been making my own compost and this year I’m super happy ..I have started a new compost bin ..

The comfrey I got from you a couple of years ago is still going strong, it's very hardy! We've had drought, excessive snow, insects and general neglect😅 Thanks for this tutorial ❤

Laughed out loud at your DEI comment 😂❤

@PermaPasturesFarm21

2 ай бұрын

Just keeping it real, my friend!

Thanks for this knowledge boss 🙏

This was so helpful, thanks Billy! Blessings

Great video, Thank You!

Billy, you always inspire me Brother. AATW

@PermaPasturesFarm21

2 ай бұрын

Thank you, my friend!

Love love love....."if it lived, it can live again"❤

@PermaPasturesFarm21

2 ай бұрын

I love it as well!

great tutorial Billy thanks! great stuff, can't wait to try 🔥

@PermaPasturesFarm21

2 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for watching and responding!

I just got my house in October. It's only a qrtr acre. However I have chickens a garden and compost. Trying o do a little urban homestead and do what I can I picked up an apple tree and getting more. I really love your videos I come across them from time to time. I'm gonna go ahead and subscribe

Greetings from UK. Good skills bro. I like what your doing. 😊

oh gosh!! Thankyou so so much--- awesome info

@PermaPasturesFarm21

2 ай бұрын

You are so very welcome, my friend!

Great schtuff! Thank you I need to get hopping on this - we've got a lot of green coming up out there this year, thank God, and we need to put it to use 🙏🙏

@PermaPasturesFarm21

2 ай бұрын

That’s what I’m talking about!

Thank you

@PermaPasturesFarm21

2 ай бұрын

Thank you for watching and responding my friend!

@cryptotechainews

2 ай бұрын

@@PermaPasturesFarm21 love your family, and your hobby/lifestyle. Copy/pasting ;)

Backyard homestead in the Suburbs, we use our chickens to turn our compost piles. We have 4 four foot by four foot bins side by side. We make enough compost for all our veggie beds as well as our own sifted soil for seed starting. Comfrey growing in every nook we could put it in. We also grow Jerusalem Artichokes. No need for any fertilizers in our yard.

@PermaPasturesFarm21

2 ай бұрын

Now that’s the spirit, Karen!

Billy.. off topic but I have a question.. my comfrey is blooming and I was wondering if it’s ok to dig and separate.. if not now .. when would be the best time.. I’m in E Tx

@Lydia-wu1zg

2 ай бұрын

Good question, I am wondering too, since only 4 of mine survived I want to be very careful

@PermaPasturesFarm21

2 ай бұрын

Our general rule of thumb is typically digging and separating when it becomes about a foot tall.

@whitefeather572

2 ай бұрын

@@PermaPasturesFarm21 Mine is established and quite tall and bushy.. definitely over a foot tall

@vlunceford

2 ай бұрын

Gosh! Most of mine is approaching TWO feet tall! It sure is pretty with all those purple blossoms!

@Jay_Will_1

2 ай бұрын

​@@PermaPasturesFarm21what about letting it go to seed?

I do the same thing, and with the same names! LOL

@PermaPasturesFarm21

2 ай бұрын

Great minds think alike my friend!

I haven’t thought about using a tarp to mix everything. I built some bins out of pallets and they seem to work pretty good.

@PermaPasturesFarm21

2 ай бұрын

It will definitely work either way, but the tarp eliminates the need for sifting in the middle of the process.

Great job Bill, and I agree many of those methods of all the successful permaculture master's and try and try till we're a master ourselves! How about and I would not just run off the buckets I collect it and use it on some heavy feeders/ crops diluted if too strong.

@PermaPasturesFarm21

2 ай бұрын

That’s a great idea!

I have giant compost pile that I've ignored, under it is beautiful soil, i need to make it into smaller more easier to handle piles at some point (so it breaks down faster & doesn't grow weeds faster first) but i also started using an old 150 gallon water trough & put everything in it, grass, cardboard, food scraps, chicken's turned it for me in between me turning it every so often. I'd like to get a soil test done on it, as i turned it earlier this spring after it thawed out a bit & it was even better then the first batch & took a sample out & left it in the scoop for about 5 day's b4 it started drying out. Trying some sprouted store bought potatoes to see how they'd do. What microscope/program do you guy's use to check yours with?

Thank you. In this case, do you think you drained more or less liquids than you put back? Is it most always more draining from the buckets than adding from the hose?

@PermaPasturesFarm21

2 ай бұрын

Perfectly stated Dwight!

Black gold baby ! Anyone help ..should I add greens to my chicken manure rich straw pile ? I'm Canadian, only green around right now are pine needles

@PermaPasturesFarm21

2 ай бұрын

Greens might make it a bit too hot if you have so much chicken manure.

How did you know I needed this exact thing today? Thanks 😊

@PermaPasturesFarm21

2 ай бұрын

So happy to help my friend!

I think you would absolutely love Terra Preta - Black Soil made using BioChar. If possible I would love to pick your brain about a community project I am trying to get off the ground. I love how you used your pigs for the micro ponds/terracing

@PermaPasturesFarm21

2 ай бұрын

I would love to make some terra, Preta!

I would like to order your rice knife sometime soon

Awesome you talked about recycling dead animals in composting, ain't a better way to honour nature

@PermaPasturesFarm21

2 ай бұрын

I like the way you roll my friend!

I call my junk area 'The Bone Yard' Too bad I live in Canada ... can't get your comfrey over the 'border' -- what a shame Thank you for your info on composting

So how is “he “ going in the pile? Cut up as small as you can? I only ask because some times we have predator attacks on our chickens

@bettyhendrickon2730

2 ай бұрын

My question too, but with newborn baby rabbits that didn't live.

@PermaPasturesFarm21

2 ай бұрын

When they are that small, there is no need to piece it out. The process will absolutely take care of it.

@user-kv2pt4lu9y

2 ай бұрын

We composted mature bovines with 2 foot of browns below, beside, and on top. It took less than 6 months for all BUT the head and hips of the mature cattle. Penn State extension agent measured the temp of the pile and it was hitting 160°F. We did NOT turn it til 6 months. We used old bedding pack and TMR (total mixed ration) for our browns. Our mixing was accomplished by a skid steer.

When you put the baby lamb or any other deceased animal into your compost pile, what keeps other animals from digging through it? God Bless! Carmen

@PermaPasturesFarm21

2 ай бұрын

The cage prevents 99% of that sort of thing.

@BostonRocks76_Carmen

2 ай бұрын

Thank you. That's very helpful.

Jawzus. It seems to take up a lot of time. I Find that I have so much things to do. I plan on getting lots of Loads of wood Chips. Peanut 🥜 shells as Bedding for pigs & start saving up my lawn cuttings. Let them sit for 2 Years. Mother Nature will Decompose in time

But Billy, what if it catches your barn on fire?! 😂

@PermaPasturesFarm21

2 ай бұрын

I need a new barn anyway. Period.

You have a great setup for making compost! I live in a smallish town on an average lot, so I'm worried about getting herbicide in my compost just from neighbors that have their yards sprayed, let alone where can I get safe straw etc. I had an issue with overspray from a neighbor a few years ago... such a bummer for my garden. Also, I'm wondering, is there a reason you don't save the liquid from those buckets instead of just draining it away? Wouldn't that be great as compost tea or at least to keep to moisten/inoculate your compost when you need moisture? Thanks for sharing your knowledge! 1st time I've caught your channel and I'll be back!

@PermaPasturesFarm21

2 ай бұрын

I need the total moisture content of the pile to be around 50% so I can’t use all of that liquid. The liquid drain from the Manure causes a little more concerned because of its probability of having high anaerobic content.

Save the water

That’s the cleanest junk area I’ve ever seen

@PermaPasturesFarm21

2 ай бұрын

I’m working on making it messier!

So close to a bioreactor it is killing me. 😂

Another question, what if we have a dog that dies? Can that go kn the compost?

I would like to order some of your bone sauce but don’t see where to order it.

What are the dimensions of the cage? Is height more critical that girth?

@PermaPasturesFarm21

2 ай бұрын

It’s about 4 feet tall and 4 feet wide but it’s far more important to just ensure that you have a cubic yard of material.

Id like to know how to do this with a tractor. I cant turn all that anymore. Especially since i almost had a stroke in February.

Whybdidnt you use the water from the buckets somewhere? Seems it was steeped and would be good for somewhere else besides your "junk" area. Thank you.

@PermaPasturesFarm21

2 ай бұрын

I did use some of it, but that wasn’t really captured on film.

How long until that pile becomes usable ?

@PermaPasturesFarm21

2 ай бұрын

It will probably be at its peak in six months.

Do you not have any issues with the walls of your barn rotting with the compost and stuff resting up against it like that?

@PermaPasturesFarm21

2 ай бұрын

It doesn’t stay there long enough to be a problem.

@ShopStuff0416

2 ай бұрын

@@PermaPasturesFarm21 Gotcha. That makes sense.

Oh no!!! All that liquid you poured out is “fetid swamp juice”. David the good talks about it all the time. Mix one cup with a gallon of water and fertilize. Waste not want not

@PermaPasturesFarm21

2 ай бұрын

That juice was anaerobic in my case.

What kind of barn is that ?

@PermaPasturesFarm21

2 ай бұрын

Just an old oak structure.

Actual piling stars about 7:00

That liquid you poured out of the buckets could be used as a feed watering for your trees and plants… why just pour it on the ground?

@PermaPasturesFarm21

2 ай бұрын

It’s basically too inconvenient for me to try to catch that water because I would be better served by making an extract out of the finished compost.

DEI only useful in compost? 🤔

@PermaPasturesFarm21

2 ай бұрын

Only in Permaculture systems, my friend!

Don’t you want to use that water in the straw buckets that you are dumping on the ground? I’d pour it on my compost or put in a compost tea.

you think were rich enough to afford those buckets anymore? lol

@norcalgal6785

2 ай бұрын

I know! They’re ridiculously priced! I bought 2 with lids at Harbor Freight and it cost me $17!!! Same price basically everywhere around here.

@PermaPasturesFarm21

2 ай бұрын

Those things are definitely not getting cheaper!

Be careful not to compost your barn

@PermaPasturesFarm21

2 ай бұрын

That sort of thing does happen if you’re not careful!