Homemade compost is so exciting! (MERGED)

jockettuk

olibearhorse wrote: »

Ah, now I make tea, remove the bag and then put the milk in....

I have to say, I really don't think it will matter, the milk traces would be so minimal.

thats the trouble i've tried that but i prefer to put the milk in with the bag and then take the bag out when it gets to my prefered colour lol then know the tea is my prefered taste.

Kantankrus_Mare

Yep Im with jocket.............it doesn't taste the same if I put milk in after the water.

olibearhorse

I guess you will both have to buy a teabag washer then!

vfairbrass

As a beginning gardener I am confused about the term compost. Is the material at the bottom of my compost heap different from the compost bought in large bags for using with seeds and for potting on? Can they be used interchangeably?

Penelope_Penguin

1. Garden compost - easily available, free, great soil conditioner, mulch, and seed suppressant. However, it will almost certainly contain weed seeds, and indeterminate levels of nutrients.

2. Seed/potting compost - will cost you, but it's sterile and contains just the right mix of nutrients for seed sowing or potting on.

I use garden compost in big pots for large or established plants. I put *used* seed and potting compost onto my garden.

HTH, Penny. x

peter_the_piper

Be aware that spent/used mushroom compost contains a lot of lime and should be kept away from azaleas and other lime hating plants. Its great in the vegetable garden though.

Luna69

I've had a compost bin now for about a month. I am a bit wary of what to put in,but so far it's just been veg waste, I did wonder about old potatoes but haven't put any in, thankfully. I've used tea bags, egg boxes, some cereal boxes, paper, egg shells (but haven't washed them.. will start to do that.. don't want any unwanted visitors in it), haven't put bread in. Seems to be at on of slugs in ours,, lots of silvery trails on the inside of the bin, will look for worms to put in though. I know I'll have a while to wait for actual compost, but so far doesn't look like it's doing much, have mixed it up a bit too. Still will be exciting when it does turn. Fancy a water butt too, but don't really have anywhere to put one yet.

Yvonne

fuglyjowls

I've had my compost bin for about a year now and checked it yesterday for the first time - YAY I've got compost. My husband recently dug a trench in the garden to put some edging paving down and he thought I was mad because before I took away the dirt in the wheelbarrow I was going through it and picking out the worms to put in my compost. My son was not too impressed when I put him on worm duty too .

Quick question for all you composting veterans - can you put sawdust on the heap and is it a good idea? We have a load at work which I can help myself to if it's any good.

showtunesgirl

fuglyjowls wrote: »

Quick question for all you composting veterans - can you put sawdust on the heap and is it a good idea? We have a load at work which I can help myself to if it's any good.

Yes you can, though bear in mind that it is high in carbon and you'll need a lot of nitrogen materials to make up for the high carbon content so don't use too much, and don't use treated woods. Cribbed from here: http://www.compostguide.com/

renard_rouge

thinks about flies... they came from maggots and they may have come from something as simple as deceased worms or other invertebrates etc. was the compost at some recent time less than welcoming environment for same? hot or dry etc.... small flies generally known as "fruit" flies and may have even been on the goods being placed in compost bin. thinks a layer of earth (also contains good bacteria etc) can help with flies of all sorts. Good luck one and all.