i want to make compost!

Mojisola

wellused wrote: »

the experts like Monty Don say that you don't actually need loads of compost and that a thin layer activates all sorts of good nutrients in your soil.

A thin layer will add nutrients to the soil but won't change the structure - that takes loads of organic matter.

Mojisola

pendragon_arther wrote: »

Ask your neighbours if they've got any compost and if so dig it into the soil. Most people put out their compost to be collected but ensure it's only vegetable matter and no cooked food or vermin will come.

Do you mean finished compost or the green waste collection?

I can't imagine anyone putting out compost for the binmen.

I wouldn't add uncomposted green waste to the soil. Nitrogen is needed to break down green waste and anything planted in the bed won't grow well if the nitrogen in it is being used to break down the waste.

FatVonD

Do you have trees in your street? You could sweep up the leaves into bin bags and leave them to break down for next year? I once did this by accident, swept leaves into a bag meaning to dispose of them then forgot about it. When I eventually got round to opening it I had a bag of lovely leaf mulch!

wellused

Mojisola wrote: »

A thin layer will add nutrients to the soil but won't change the structure - that takes loads of organic matter.

That's what I said.:T

Mojisola

asparagus1968 wrote: »

I only have one flower bed in my garden, the soil is really heavy, and often water logged.

wellused wrote: »

That's what I said.:T

But the OP wants to change the structure of the soil.

A thin layer of nutrients sitting on heavy waterlogged soil isn't going to help.

Linda32

May I ask, is the soil always heavy and water logged or is it just like that now?

The colourful flowers that you put in pots in the summer can go into the compost bin as well.

pendragon_arther

Mojisola wrote: »

Do you mean finished compost or the green waste collection?

I can't imagine anyone putting out compost for the binmen.

I wouldn't add uncomposted green waste to the soil. Nitrogen is needed to break down green waste and anything planted in the bed won't grow well if the nitrogen in it is being used to break down the waste.

I suppose it depends on the council. Kingston Council provide green waste bins/bags, food waste bins (brown) and compost bins (green) for recycling.

sgun

I would avoid putting eggshells in, rats love them

wellused

Rats will eat anything so avoid everything?

Mojisola

pendragon_arther wrote: »

I suppose it depends on the council. Kingston Council provide green waste bins/bags, food waste bins (brown) and compost bins (green) for recycling.

But all those things are in a 'raw' state when put out for collection.

The OP could ask the neighbours for all their green waste and compost it at home but would still struggle to produce enough to make a difference to their soil.