Compost... Filling in a Old Pond

Could you try terracing it into a garden, starting with the edges and letting it drain -- or if it's dry enough, look into making a terraced garden (like they do in de-forested regions and places with a steep terrain). This can be very beautiful and practical and you could grow all sorts of yummy things (strawberries, blueberries, veggies, herbs).

Contact the county extension office for free help and more good, maybe much better, ideas.

Good Luck,
L. D., Mom of three who'd love living on 4 acres of land...

You can compost vegetable and fruit scraps, egg shells, coffee grounds even with the filters, tea grounds even in the bags, hair, fingernail clippings, dryer lint, leftovers (try to not put meat in there though), paper, leaves, pine needles, etc. Layer it like lasagna--cover a layer of food with some dry leaves then some dirt.
Buy some worms at a bait shop to help break it down.

Contact your county extension agent. The link for your county is: http://columbia.ifas.ufl.edu/contact_us.shtml

No pasta, rice, bread, meat, fish, oil, or cooked food is allowed. Only raw veggies, egg shells, coffee grinds, tea bags, yard clippings, or things are biodegradable. You will also need to decide if you want an aerobic pile or anaerobic pile. http://www.rivenrock.com/composttypes.htm

Good luck!

Wow this is a great question…maybe you could contact your county and see if they have some basic guide lines to follow…?? I come from a small town in IL. And we had a compost pile in the back of our lot when I was growing up. I’m not sure why but we were not allowed to put any dairy products, meat or fish in it nor bones (gosh I need to ask my mom why?). It was all veggies, breads, pastas, paper towels, fruit, any liquids, and yes yard debris/clippings. I remember that my dad kept the clippings in a separate pile and when we dumped in the compost-able stuff from the house we then had to put a layer of clippings on top of it. Hummm…maybe you could google it also???

Just a thought....my husband and I own an excavating company and if you put a sign in the front of your yard to have clean fill only dumped truckers looking for a place to get rid of dirt will be more than happy to fill your pond. It could take time but I've filled many of holes and front yards for people for free....through word of mouth or signs. In the end you'll just need to flatten it out and that really shouldn't cost more than $250. Good luck whichever way you choose!

I don't think this is silly at all. The only experience I have is my Dad had a compost (we called it a bin) thing. It was metal and holes in it. My M-In-L is very eco friendly, she has 4 acres and also lives way out (in OR). She has a huge barrel system, I know you have to have ventilation for the gasses to escape, and I know that all the stuff actually heats up as is decomposes, she also has to turn it every so many days. I agree with the meat part too - no animal parts. Again I don't know why either!!

I live out in the boonies in southern GA and have 1 acre, believe me that's a lot for a single mom with NO MOWER at the moment. I am in the process of clearing a strip of land between us and a neighbor, I have lots of yard waste now. Maybe I should think about starting one too. Let us know what you do next.

Good Luck

M. F

I bet you could start with grass clippings? even ask neighbors for theirs? not sure but this is what comes to mind...as far as other things, I know coffee grinds and egg shells are good, as are vegetable scraps- I personally would stay away from meat? not sure why, but that's me...I would definitely look into this more before throwing waste other than grass/landscaping waste into it, as I'm not sure about attracting bugs and animals close to your house, etc, especially if it's open w/o a cover, etc...

Search the net for this kind of adventure. I know you cannot throw eggs/shells, meat into a compost bin. Good luck

Composting is super easy. the only thing you need to avoid as stated by everyone else is- meat, fish, oil, dairy (eggshells are OK), or any other animal product. I even use my office shred for dry stuff once in a while instead of leaves. I would recommend taking the advice of the person suggesting the free clean fill service, then starting your compost elsewhere. this way you can "harvest" your "black gold" and use it around your garden or landscape... your plants will love you! I have a two barrel system and i live in the middle of the city of WPB, FL. one is an "active bin"- a big rubbermaid trash can with a lid that i drilled holes all over. this is what i add to regularly. once that is full (it will take longer than you think) then I transfer to a spinning barrel ($100 or so) that speeds it up. It takes a small amount of effort to set up, but once you are going it practically maintains itself. doing this will reduce your garbage output by at least two thirds and in the process you will get an ongoing supply of the best organic fertilizer for free!