Topic: Composting

[Mr Smith]

We have two compost bins which are  the type you get off the local council, I'm just surprised at the amount of stuff these containers take when you use a compost maker to break the matter down just hope they take all my sweetcorn waste :)

[valmarg]

We have two large, and one smaller bin, and we are making fantastic amounts of compost.  We only have a small garden, and what we are going to do with the compost is a bit of a mystery.  There are areas of the garden that are claggy clay, so could incorporate some of the compost there.

Our problem is that we are making far more compost than we need.

valmarg

[saddad]

If you bash the stems so they break up they decompose much faster...  ;D

[kt.]

Our problem is that we are making far more compost than we need.

At home we have the same problem.  I just put more in the council separate recycling bins when I have enough.    You could always give some away?

[windygale]

Hello Mr Smith, when i first started on my allotment and before i made up some pallet compost bins, i had and used two small plastic bins aswell, when they were full i emptied i first bin and placed the contents in to old plastic compost bags, then i used them when i wanted ;D ;D
i hope this helps,

[redimp]

If you bash the stems so they break up they decompose much faster...  ;D

I find if I bash the stem... nah, not going there! ;D

[Deb P]

It's not very eco friendly, but I lie my sweetcorn, sunflower and cardoon stems on the floor and back over them a few times with the car, does the trick in a minute!!!

[nilly71]

when you use a compost maker to break the matter down

Whats a compost maker, how is it different to a compost bin???

Neil

[asbean]

Our problem is that we are making far more compost than we need.

Been composting all my life, and never had that problem even with a small garden.

Whats a compost maker, how is it different to a compost bin???

I always thought one had a compost bin or heap.  Compost usually makes itself.  ??? ??? ???

[caroline7758]

I think maybe Mr Smith is talking about a compost accelerator, e.g. Garotta, which you add to the compost?
As for bashing, I've seen Monty Don running his lawn mower over tough stems before putting them in the compost. Think you'd need a pretty heavy duty mower though.

[camo_lady]

I've just started a compost heap in a square of unwanted tyres. I was amazed by how hot the heap is already after just two days! It seems that the rubber just soaks up all the heat of the sun and heats the rotting material. I'm VERY impressed!!

plus, when it comes to turning the compost or wheeling it away, all I have to do is pull down the wall of tyres - and hey presto! Instant easy access.
J.P.