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Allotment Stuff => The Basics => Topic started by: moudie on June 24, 2006, 16:00:21

Title: Can I compost Privet and ivy clippings
Post by: moudie on June 24, 2006, 16:00:21
I've got a lot of Privet and ivy clippings and I'm reluctant to throw them away.can I compost them, also can I compost rhubarb leaves. :-\
Title: Re: Can I compost Privet and ivy clippings
Post by: redimp on June 24, 2006, 17:16:41
Privet - don't know
Ivy - I don't and I compost everything else.*
Rhubarb - yes

*including dead small animals
Title: Re: Can I compost Privet and ivy clippings
Post by: Curryandchips on June 24, 2006, 17:26:59
Privet - yes. Ivy - don;t know.

The underlying principle is to compost everything in moderation, so all the ingredients get well mixed.
Title: Re: Can I compost Privet and ivy clippings
Post by: Georgie on June 24, 2006, 20:26:36
I compost Ivy, no problems.

G x
Title: Re: Can I compost Privet and ivy clippings
Post by: Mimi on June 24, 2006, 21:01:46
When ever I have tried to compost ivy I always end up digging out bits that have rooted again.  So I dont bother anymore.
Title: Re: Can I compost Privet and ivy clippings
Post by: moudie on June 25, 2006, 22:44:49
Thanks for your replies - upon reflection I think I'll dump it.There's just so much  it would swamp my wee compost heap.

Thanks all
Title: Re: Can I compost Privet and ivy clippings
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on June 26, 2006, 07:34:59
You can compost anything if you leave it long enough. If I find something still alive, it just goes back in for another year.
Title: Re: Can I compost Privet and ivy clippings
Post by: pompeydude on June 26, 2006, 21:57:16
I'm sure i read somewhere, that you can put  bindweed, and tap rooted weeds into water, let them rot down, then put them on the heap,   you can then use the water as a liquid fertilizer.
anyone know if this is the case ??  as i would love to set up a tub of water for all the weeds.

??? ??? ??? ???
Title: Re: Can I compost Privet and ivy clippings
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on June 26, 2006, 22:14:59
Yes, it works well.
Title: Re: Can I compost Privet and ivy clippings
Post by: pompeydude on June 26, 2006, 22:18:39
Hi Robert,
thanks for the reply.
what sort of time scales are we looking at before they can go on the heap and when can you use the fertilizer ???
Title: Re: Can I compost Privet and ivy clippings
Post by: redimp on June 26, 2006, 22:20:02
I have been doing this recently and using it on my potatoes as the tea contains bacteria that will hopefully fight blight spores.
Title: Re: Can I compost Privet and ivy clippings
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on June 27, 2006, 07:53:33
Leave the weeds undewater for a few weeks, weighed down by something. They'll be well dead (even a few days underwater kills a lot of things, as I found when I had a series of floods in my first year on the plot). You can use the tea on your veg.