Allotments 4 All

Allotment Stuff => The Basics => Topic started by: Maidenheadtaff on July 05, 2008, 18:59:46

Title: Compost material
Post by: Maidenheadtaff on July 05, 2008, 18:59:46
Is there any problem in putting potato branches in the composter ?
Title: Re: Compost material
Post by: Crystalmoon on July 05, 2008, 19:01:34
I really hope not cos Ive been putting all of mine into the composter as I harvest the spuds!!!!
Im a newbie to growing veg so may be making a terrible mistake?
Title: Re: Compost material
Post by: amphibian on July 05, 2008, 22:06:37
Personally, I don't. Always feared blight would over winter in the compost, no idea if it would or not, however.
Title: Re: Compost material
Post by: redimp on July 05, 2008, 23:10:51
Stick them in.  Blight only survives on living matter.  The composting process kills it. 
Title: Re: Compost material
Post by: cornykev on July 06, 2008, 10:31:10
I normally snip off the root that might have minute spuds on them and bag them up, the rest go in my two year pallet compost bin.  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Compost material
Post by: Crystalmoon on July 06, 2008, 19:00:08
Hi Im probably being really thick here  ::) but why do you take off the root & tiny spuds Cornykev?
Thanks
Title: Re: Compost material
Post by: KathrynH on July 06, 2008, 19:02:42
I'm curious to know that too! I compost all potato foliage and never had any problems.
Title: Re: Compost material
Post by: redimp on July 06, 2008, 19:21:01
The tiny potatoes have a habit of growing in the compost.  I have a Maris Bard sticking out of the door of one of my compost bins at the moment - needless to say, I don't remove all of mine.
Title: Re: Compost material
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on July 06, 2008, 19:23:39
Poke it firmly back inside the door and shut it in. They soon expire.
Title: Re: Compost material
Post by: Maidenheadtaff on July 07, 2008, 18:13:54
Now thats good news

cheers
Title: Re: Compost material
Post by: grannyjanny on July 07, 2008, 21:44:02
Can I put borage plants that are in flower but not seeded in the compost bin.
Janet.
Title: Re: Compost material
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on July 08, 2008, 20:44:35
Yes. I don't know whether the seeds will mature inside or not, but either way, if you have the stuff, you've probably got it for evermore. I just pull it out anywhere it's inconvenient, and let it flourish where it's out of the way.
Title: Re: Compost material
Post by: allaboutliverpool on July 10, 2008, 21:25:44
Once again,compost every thing that is not diseased.

I do not compost blight affected potato haulms or anything that looks diseased, otherwise it all goes in as described on my site.

http://www.allaboutliverpool.com/allaboutallotments_compost.html
Title: Re: Compost material
Post by: cornykev on July 11, 2008, 19:38:03
As Red says they start growing again, I put them in a bag and when they go all slushy in the bag I tip them into the compost bin.  ;D ;D ;D