Compost

Re: Compost

A Little TLC — Thu, 13 May 2010 12:04:06 GMT

yes, all good!!

ooh no dairy though!!

Re: Compost

Shelly vn — Thu, 13 May 2010 09:46:04 GMT

Thanks for all the replies, i had no idea what i was doing! I'm definatly going to start collecting veg peeling etc, and i drink enough tea to sink a small ship so theres always plenty of tea bags! Just one more question, would newspaper from the rabbits indoor cage be any good for the compost bin? I'm thinking that it solves the 'pee problem' and adds some paper all in one go!!

Re: Compost

A Little TLC — Thu, 13 May 2010 09:38:31 GMT

Dad says don't put too many grass cuttings in, ony once every couple of months or so as it can go quite acidic. Pop worms in, they goooood!!! Egg shells, torn up egg boxes tea bags/leaves, all veg peelings.... wee...... lol!! Not that I have...... not sure if the fella has done it..... hes probabley better equipped to do it, lol!!

Re: Compost

Sal the 1st — Wed, 12 May 2010 22:15:41 GMT

agree with the ammonia - a good dose of chicken*hit works well too

Re: Compost

albatross — Wed, 12 May 2010 21:04:41 GMT

our compost is really good for the veg garden - its added ingredient is droppings and damp newspaper from the chinchillas, lovely ammonia!
you can tell when it is working well because the temperature of the grass cuttings rises considerably.

Re: Compost

Kerry Spain — Wed, 12 May 2010 20:54:26 GMT

OK... crushed egg shells, tea leaves, any raw material such as uncooked fruit and vege, make sure to mix it up and not put too much of one material in one layer. To kick start it all off pour pee on it... yes thats right go and pee in a jug and pour it over. Honestly the ammonia in your pee helps to start the natural proces of decomposition... good luck and happy gardening

...as the old saying goes... I don't go to the gym... I garden!!!

Re: Compost

Busy bee — Wed, 12 May 2010 20:47:04 GMT

[quote user="Bouncyfi"]Don't add cooked food scraps though as this will attract rats[/quote]

Good point - I will remember that when I come to do mine! Urgh - blimin rats

Re: Compost

Kim Buckley — Wed, 12 May 2010 20:43:29 GMT

I used to love going through my granny's compost bin because I always found slow worms! hehe

Re: Compost

Fiona Leathers — Wed, 12 May 2010 20:21:50 GMT

Don't add cooked food scraps though as this will attract rats. Ideally you should use 2 compost bins - remember to keep layering the compost - matter, then paper or twigs then matter again - this will help aerate the compost and it will rot down quicker. Keep it wet too, in warm weather you may have to water your bin. Keep forking it over, as some matter will rot down quicker than others and you want this to drop to the bottom so you can use it quicker. Covering it with plastic will help the rotting process but if its in a plastic bin anyway, you won't need to do this.

Happy composting!!!

Re: Compost

Busy bee — Wed, 12 May 2010 19:56:04 GMT

I THINK adding worms helps speed up the process? Also, any old food scraps from kitchen should go in there, tea bags, egg shells, veg etc

Good luck with it - I have been meaning to start a compost heap for ages!.

Re: Compost

Anonymous — Wed, 12 May 2010 18:06:42 GMT

grass cuttings have to be mixed with other rotting matter like leaves, veggie cuttings from the kitchen and old soil that needs replenishing. just be sure to stir it up and pile it deep! take what you want to use from the bottom. you can cover it with plastic or fabric to help it along and also purchase additives from the gardening shops to help it go faster.

Re: Compost

Steph Worsley — Wed, 12 May 2010 17:54:57 GMT

they will naturally rot down to make compost, you can get additives to speed up the process but usually will be fine on its own, it doesnt happen quickly tho!!!!