Compost Discussion Thread (Merged Threads)

djohn2002uk

Meat and cooked food should never go in a compost bin. That is what encourages vermin.
Also no twigs or sawdust or wood shavings, they take too long to rot and rotted wood is not beneficial to the garden anyway.
The ideal is any uncooked vegetable matter, not too much lawn mowings spread thinly, an inch of ashes or soil every 6 to 9 inches and most of it should rot down in 6 months or so.
It can also help to cover it with some old carpet during late autumn, winter and early spring to keep as much heat in as possible. Don't put too many acidic items in, not good for the worms and the more worms in there the better. If you don't have many you can buy composting worms online.
Oh, and most compost bins get ants in but don't try and kill them with boiling water, it will kill the worms. Doff ant powder is best.
Weeds can go in too but not the roots or flowers of dandylions and thistles. Also Groundsel (Chickweed) is a no no because even whilst dying it still goes to seed.

Debt_Free_Chick

hardpressed wrote:

I know you shouldn't put perennial weeds in a compost bin but is that just the roots or the whole plant, I just cleared a large garden of thistles and dandelions and wonder if I cut the roots off, if all the greenery could go in the bin?

It's all in the link

There's a brilliant guide on the Garden Organic website

Debt_Free_Chick

pthompson wrote:

I compost most of the stuff mentioned above (but never meat). However I never know what to do with weeds. Anyone have any better ideas than sending them to the landfill?

See previous link

There's a brilliant guide on the Garden Organic website

Kantankrus_Mare

Myself and a friend have just started renting an allotment and have started a "compost corner"

We work in a restaurant and have all the staff trained to put everything compostable in a black bin bag for our compost heap.;)

As you can imagine the heap is coming on in leaps and bounds.

I save all the coffee grounds, tea bags, all the veg peelings and the numerous egg shells from the brunches we sell.

I keep turning the heap regularly but as its the first time ive ever done anything like this, Im not sure if I need to add any moisture or activator?

All my grass cuttings are going on as well and bits of newspaper.

Accumulating soooooo much compost stuff that am thinking I may need to start another heap soon.

The idea is that next year we wont have to buy any compost for the allotment but time will tell lol

beer2006

Lucky lucky lucky thats what I's say

Human urine, best activator, can't remember where I read it, but girls urine is either not as good or shouldn't be used. Get OH to pee in a bottle.

Kantankrus_Mare

Hmmmmmmm lol don't know if he'll be up for that but worth asking I guess:rotfl:

beer2006

Tell him its an easy way for him to help you.

The bigger the compost heap the hotter it will get.

BTW hotter is better, so if you have loads of stuff, build it big! As you are doing, keep turning it too.

Best of luck

d.o.o.g

Gillylou wrote:

I'm an active composter but am having problems with rats. Any suggestions?

You can't compost rats.

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

Kantankrus_Mare

d.o.o.g wrote:

You can't compost rats.

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

Oh that tickled me!!:rotfl: Thanks:beer:

margaretclare

Hi

I don't get very good results from eggshells. I moved the contents of a compost heap yesterday and there were still bits of eggshell at the bottom, must have been there for at least a year.

I'm still working on my OH though - he's refused to wee into the compost-bin, says he can no longer reach that high. He won't wee into a bucket either - says 'what do you think I am - an old man or something?' He's 71 and I'm 70.

Margaret Clare