Compost Discussion Thread (Merged Threads)

Ken68

Hi LTS....I put them back in the compost bag from which it came, and on the first frost, lay it out on a concrete area for the cold to kill off things, then seive and store and reuse the compost for next year, after
adding some pellleted fertiliser.

martyn4764

It's no problem chucking it back in the compost the nutrients will be spent, but it'll add bulk if nothing else.

Ken68

The freezing kills off the bugs and mould, and I re use the compost for pots. Saves buying new stuff every year.
Also grow all my own fruit and veg and have several compost bins and areas. Havn't bought any potting compost for 5 years.

dolly_day_dream

Right folks a different compost question that you may be able to help me with. My kids thought that guerilla gardening was what I did to a garden cos everything dies around me:o In an attempt to tidy up I spend a lovely hour or so clearing the brambles and I put them into the large (but empty) compost bin that we have. See I am trying. Now I am not so sure - will the brambles compost down or have I ruined it all?

Ken68

You don't usually reckon to compost brambles and other weeds like dandelion and celandine etc.
Put into the council composting bin, let them do it.
Cut into small pieces about 6inches long.
You could put them into a cardboard box for Nov.5.

eileenfromplaistow

I have always found that if I use compost with(well-rotted) brambles in, they tend to produce small shoots in my soil. Now the council green bin can have them!

Ken68

I often think how the composters for the council cope with Japanese Knotweed. They must create so much heat it kills it orf. Wouldn't want it in my compost

Moggles_2

Originally posted by Ken68
You don't usually reckon to compost brambles and other weeds like dandelion and celandine etc.

That depends. A properly made compost heap should get so hot that it steams. This is particularly noticeable in winter because a large heap can easily reach a temperature of 60C [140F] in just a few days. If you've learned this art, it's perfectly okay to add dandelions etc as all the weed seeds, pests and diseases are 'cooked'. To be on the safe side though, I dry off brambles, convolvulus etc. from my next-door neighbours on a wire wrack before adding to the heap. A hot heap produces valuable garden compost in 2-3 months depending on the time of year.

If, for whatever reason, your heap doesn't heat, don't despair. It will take a heck of a lot longer, but you'll still get valuable garden compost anything up to 12 months later. In these circumstances, I would probably not risk adding the really pernicious weeds.

dolly_day_dream

Thank you very much for your replies. I will probably find myself fishing out all of those lovely brambles and put them out for the council:o

No weeds? The poor council are going to wonder what has hit them cos that is all my garden has in it:D I'm not kidding after years of neglect compounded with ignorance all there is in my garden right now is a lawn with a generous spread of comfrey, lemon balm, nettles and brambles. Yes all the ones that keep on spreading. A neighbour suggested that I just blitz the lot with weedkiller and start again:eek: Sorry but that does not figure with my philosophy on the environment. I will be attempting to construct a proper compost bin so will be using my veg peelings etc but may well be back for more advice.

robellett

Well, Comfrey will provide some of the best compost for you. Lucky weeds that you've got, other than the brambles. Their stems are extremely tough old things. I would get the council to take em.

Another thing that I do, blessed with a good sized garden, is to keep 'crops' of waste for maturing and blending at the appropriate time. Needs some space. Leaves are great collected now and added to your green waste over the coming months.I fill some bags, pots for a dry spot or shed etc.

Good luck! Rob