Homemade compost is so exciting! (MERGED)

Darkside_3

Hi to all

I have recently started to grow veg, I have no experience at all but I've been reading books and looking online. This year(my first) I have grown some raddishs, spring onions, turnips and some beetroot and I feel quite proud.

I have bought myself a compost bin and got it from the offices at the council dump where they are selling them for £10 each, it also includes a small container for the kitchen to put your scraps in, I found this to be the cheapest way to buy one as in most garden centres they were £20/30. I'm looking forward to using the compost next year.

This is my first reply in this forum it looks like a pretty good thread.

Thanks everyone

Peter (Darkside)

Wig

Don't put "weeds in flower" into your compost, they will germinate when you spread the compost. I've had nettles germinating, unwanted. Nettles are good source of nitrogen for your compost but do not put in the flowers.

I've also had, foxgloves, physalis (fruit from Tesco), tomatos (fruit from Tesco), courgettes (from home grown fruit), cantaloupe melon (from Tesco) & tall daisies all germinate from my spread out compost and all developed into fully fledged strong plants! BTW the foxgloves originated from a white flowered - reduced price (10p) - foxglove from B&Q the new plants are mostly like wild pinks but 1 or 2 are pinky/white
(I prefer the natural pink colour).

demented_2

Hi a friend of mine has a Darlek type composter, she has found some maggots in her bin, she would like to know if its the fruit that has attracted the fly which have now laid their eggs. She said that that she has put garrotta in the bin in the normal way but this does not seem to kill them off. Do you guys have any advice for her please?

It may not be the fruit though, she can't think of anything else that it might be. Thanks

Wig

demented wrote: »

Hi a friend of mine has a Darlek type composter, she has found some maggots in her bin, she would like to know if its the fruit that has attracted the fly which have now laid their eggs. She said that that she has put garrotta in the bin in the normal way but this does not seem to kill them off. Do you guys have any advice for her please?

It may not be the fruit though, she can't think of anything else that it might be. Thanks

Whatever is in my compost bin is out of sight out of mind, I only care if they come into my garden and eat my plants, then I kill them. I wouldn't worry about it.

angelavdavis

demented wrote: »

Hi a friend of mine has a Darlek type composter, she has found some maggots in her bin, she would like to know if its the fruit that has attracted the fly which have now laid their eggs. She said that that she has put garrotta in the bin in the normal way but this does not seem to kill them off. Do you guys have any advice for her please?

It may not be the fruit though, she can't think of anything else that it might be. Thanks

Its common - basically if a fly has had an opportunity to lay eggs either in the compost bin or on the leftovers that went into the bin, then you will get maggots. I don't think it is particularly associated with putting fruit it - it can just happen now and again. Its a nuisance and not nice but it happens. Using fly spray would help, but would also kill off the good bugs too, so I tend to leave well alone and cover them with either some compost or mix the fruit, etc in with garden waste which is less appetising for the flies.

I must admit in my wooden bins, I have the most stupendous spiders thriving in my bin - so they are well fed anyway!

Dragon_Lady_3

Hi Folks,

I was chatting to my OH this afternoon about getting the compost 'going' so to speak. I told him about the advice on here about using male 'pee'.

After much disbelief and 'if you think I am going to stand at the side of the house and pee in it you've got another think coming. Why can't you do it?'

After explaining to him, that perching on the edge of the compost bin with my knickers round my ankles might be a tad dangerous, :rotfl: he asked how come male pee works and female pee don't. Explained about hormones etc.,

Anyway, his next question was 'WHO decided that is was male pee that was the best and how?

Honestly, he's worse than a child sometimes for asking questions.

Anyone know the answer?

Wig

Males don't drink as much as women so it's stronger. But really I don't think anyone has done much study on this one. Anatomically it's easier to collect males.

He doesn't have to be outside to do it just use a milk bottle in the loo, you'll save water too.

Busybody

Today I ground my eggshells up with my teabags, and mulched around my tomatoes . Also got pee from my husband for the first time!:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

BritBrat

Anyway, his next question was 'WHO decided that is was male pee that was the best and how?

Just tell him women's pee does not have so much beer in it.

You know the one that refreshes the "parts others cannot reach" .

Or should that be "plants others cannot reach"

Dragon_Lady_3

:rotfl: Thanks for your answers everyone. There has never been so much talk about pee in our house. The kids think we've finally lost it :rotfl:

I can truthfully report that the deed has now been done!!

NOW OH wants to know how often does he have to 'water' the compost? I told you he never stops asking questions!!!!

Anyone know the answer to that one?

Many thanks