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Hi all
I have some straw left over after putting around my strawberries and was wondering if it will compost alright or should i shred it first.

thanks

paddy

It'll compost slowly on its own whatever you do with it, since it's short of nitrogen. Mix it with green material like grass cuttings, or pee on it till it's damp though.

Use some/all of it at the bottom of a new compost heap, magic for drainage and air circulation.

We use through the year as the Compost heap is growing (built from whole Pallets 1 mtr x 1 mtr x 1 mtr) and put a layer every 6 iches or so especially between Grass cuttings. We find Straw has rotted away within one season.

Barley Straw rots faster than Wheat, Hay tends to go  mouldy rather than rot.

Quote from: Robert_Brenchley on May 16, 2007, 12:44:51
It'll compost slowly on its own whatever you do with it, since it's short of nitrogen. Mix it with green material like grass cuttings, or pee on it till it's damp though.

An alternative to Robert's great idea above, sprinkle a 'handful' of Sulphate of Ammonia on top of each Straw layer, water well, then cover with old carpet or Compost/Fertiliser bags.  The Sulphate of Amm. which is high in Nitrogen (+/- 21 %) will start to ferment with the Straw and raise the heap temperature thus getting all those helpful Bacteria and Microbes working away for you.

Mikey