I'm starting a compost pile with all oak leaves. Thats my brown carbon base, that should be 80% of the pile correct.

Now I should start adding the nitrogen source to the pile, which is 20%...

Please name some good nitrogen source materials that would really get a new compost pile cooking quick.

So, as I add the nitrogen materials to pile & it gets to the point the pile starts to smell, does that mean I've added to much N2 to start adding more brown carbon material. Is that how you guage the percentage
of each, the smell.

eeharrisz7b
Next time you mow your grass, if you will pick it up and add it to your compost pile, it will start the composting. You must layer the leaves then the grass. This is how I build my compost, but I don't have leaves. If you shred the leaves first, they will compost faster. Every second time I cut my grass, I pick ip up and add to the compost bins. Then every two weeks I turn the compost into the opposite bin, layering it as I turn it. Also, this year I have been adding sea weed as I tun and layer it. The only time my compost smells bad is when it is to wet from excessive rain. Then I just turn it again and the smell goes away. I don't go by the 80% 20% rule. I just build it with what ever I have.
I hope this helps you.

Human urine, fish emulsion, grass clippings, cattle feeds, or even dry molasses powder are great economical sources of high nitrogen for speedy composting.

Don't forget livestock manure.

So I am not the only one who sneaks out to pee on the pile on dark nights before the moon comes out? Thank God, I thought I was weird.

No man, you're not wierd! Join the crowd of compost fanatics and compost-oholics! (LOL)

I promise not to ask my neighbors to save pee for me, that would be officially weird.

You guys are freakin' me out...must be a GUY thing...

chuckfranke
Don't have your neighbors save it up. Just ask them to make a deposit in person. That way it will be fresh.

No Kathe Kithens, peeing in the compost is not a GUY thing.
I know several fanatical female organic gardeners on GardenWeb.com that love to collect their urine just for their piles or their special compost tea recipes. Urea (45-0-0) is good stuff!

I know that, Cap...just jokin' with ya'll. I haven't ever done that myself but I know lots of people do. I compost my cat litter and there's plenty in there, believe me. I use the SWheat scoop litter and it does compost very well. Like you say, urine is a good source of nitrogen, but I just can't bring myself to do that in the middle of a big city. But those of you who are ready, willing & able to do it...I say more power to ya! Everything should be composted.