Making Compost

jinnywren

If I have a big pile of compostible vegs and hedge clippings, cuttings etc. Will this start to compost on its own.

If the bin is enclosed do I need to dig up some worms to add to it?
Thanks

savemoney

Yes it always best to mix waste, ie veggie peelings, grass cuttings etc. I also use Wilkos compost maker to help it break down. You can add soil and worms too if you wish. I rarely throw anything away

annie123

how to make compost :
http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/composting/compost_1.php

hth

Leif

Anything woody such as branches is best shredded, but it will compost down eventually. Or separate out woody matter for a wood pile. Urine helps activate compost.

I have a 1m high pile of 'stuff' and when I recently pulled off the top layer, it was so hot and so much steam came off that I thought it was on fire, an illusion helped by the grey ash like appearance of the matter. It had been in place for a few weeks. I've turfed the top of mine, since I have plenty of old turf spare.

blossomhill_2

If the bottom is open (ie straight onto soil or grass) the worms will find it by themselves - life will find a way

poppysarah

The erm ... money saving bit ... we all make compost accelerator several times a day...

Geoff Hamilton used to swear by peeing on the compost heap although it might be more acceptable to pee indoors and take the pee out in a container.

walkers-crisps_are_evil

You can add tiger worms which do a brilliant job. Get them from fishing tackle shops.

Missy79

^^^^This, there's no point adding regular garden worms that you find in your soil, the acidic environment in composting material will just kill them or they'll leave if they can.

walkers-crisps_are_evil

The ph in composting bin will be pretty much neutral unless you have added too much onions, pine needles, citrus fruit peelings etc. For the best composting use a range of green( veg peelings), crushed egg shells and brown waste (toilet paper tubes etc) occasional grass clippings etc. Lots of information across the web on this. It is absolutely fine too add worms to your compost bin!

brucesteen

poppysarah wrote: »

The erm ... money saving bit ... we all make compost accelerator several times a day...

Geoff Hamilton used to swear by peeing on the compost heap although it might be more acceptable to pee indoors and take the pee out in a container.

I had an old lecturer at uni who swore by it... being a greenfingered newbie I've not given this a go yet! Probably wont either!

iQueen

poppysarah wrote: »

The erm ... money saving bit ... we all make compost accelerator several times a day...

Geoff Hamilton used to swear by peeing on the compost heap although it might be more acceptable to pee indoors and take the pee out in a container.

Especially, we females! :rotfl: