Compost Discussion Thread (Merged Threads)

DilbertJones

elliemoo wrote:

What about slugs? I seem to have lots of slugs in my bin.

Me too, slug trail everywhere on the inside, was wondering about this my self

margaretclare

robodan wrote:

Me too, slug trail everywhere on the inside, was wondering about this myself

Slugs are part of the normal ecosystem too - no problem. If we get a hot dry summer as has been forecast we'll need the slugs for the young hedgehogs that are born this year. Slugs are one of their main foods and they need to gain body weight before they hibernate this autumn. This has happened before in dry summers (yes, I know we've just had the wettest drought in history!!) Don't worry about slugs.

Margaret Clare

jo_b_2

jo_b wrote:

My compost bin is pretty much full up now. When I've opened the door at the bottom, it's full of what my son calls 'Little Creatures'. There are loads of wood lice and ants in there.

Just wondering whether that is a good or bad sign and whether I need to do anything to speed up the composting process now that the weather's getting better?

Ever felt ignored? :rolleyes:

arkonite_babe

Jo

If you check the useful sticky at the top of the board there are a few links for composting advice. Hopefully that will help you out. Personally speaking I think the wigglywigglers site is pretty good.

HTH

ktpie

Jo I don't think you have been ignored:

margaretclare wrote:

The 'Little Creatures' - ants, woodlice etc - are part of the natural process of material rotting down, nothing to worry about at all, they're doing a good job eating organic material.

Margaret Clare

I agree with Margaret, I think the little creatures are the ones that are doing all the work.

jo_b_2

ktpie wrote:

Jo I don't think you have been ignored:

I agree with Margaret, I think the little creatures are the ones that are doing all the work.

Thanks. I missed that comment.

There aren't so many ants at the minute but there are loads of woodlice so it seems like the compost is doing well.

purplemoon

I'm not sure, but I think maybe these don't have to breakdown. I think they maybe act as nutrition, and then as drainage/ grainy bits for the resulting compost.

mehefin

Woodlice are cellulose eaters which is why you find them in woodheaps, compost etc. they are converters , so they are good guys in composters. you will often find thenm under leaves - presumably woodlouse poo is good stuff if somehat iniscule to the naked eye!

ellas9602

Hello

I'm having my first go at making compost. I'm mainly using kitchen scraps and lawn clippings but seem to be lacking dry things. The info that came with my composter says not to use newspaper..is this right? what can I add for dryness?

also I noticed maggots in the bottom today. Is this ok?

also can you overdo the weeing on it? my OH is obsessed he loves weeing on it!:rotfl:

rubix_76

ellas9602 wrote:

The info that came with my composter says not to use newspaper..is this right? what can I add for dryness?

I have heard that newspaper and cardboard is good (certainly more than I have heard it is bad).

There was some info saying the colour and ink in some newspaper and card/junk mail could be bad for plants, but I think most newspapers use ink that is plant friendly now. As for junk mail not sure.

I will be putting it all in, best to soak cardboard first otherwise it takes too long to rot down.

Regarding paper try to seperate it or shred it, but if you do shred it try to seperate it and don't let it knit together otherwise it too, won't rot down. I think the key thing to this is give it plenty of air (I think that is why it is good to fork/turn it).

Hope this is usefull.

Rubix