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Post by Susie Snowdrop on Jan 31, 2007 20:21:52 GMT
So very, very sorry to bring this topic up again  My compost bin ( ;D), I need to know what NOT to put in it apart from citrus stuff, cooked meat etc and possibley tatty peelings. Please can somebody give me a brain dead, really simple list of what NOT to put in my compost bin  I'd love to be able to produce A1 stuff to spread on my garden next spring  in anticipation |
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Post by Dr Bill on Jan 31, 2007 20:39:48 GMT
Cooked food
Dog or cat droppings
Glossy paper
Meat or fish
Perennial weeds
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Post by Susie Snowdrop on Jan 31, 2007 20:44:45 GMT
Thanks Bill, that's a good start ;D
S x
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2007 21:20:59 GMT
Erm, I always put in citrus and potato peelings. Is this wrong?
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Post by Spruance on Jan 31, 2007 21:26:42 GMT
I put citrus and potato peelings in my compost heap too, and the end product is always like the proverbial black gold. What not to use? No diseased plants Nothing too woody, unless you shred it first. Otherwise I think Dr Bill has it covered. |
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Post by Dr Bill on Jan 31, 2007 23:48:26 GMT
I think the secret really is to mix it thouroughly, whatever you put in. Don't forget stuff like paper and cardboard which will prevent it all from getting too soggy. Leaves take an age to rot down so if you have them in any quantity put them in a plastic bin bag and let them form leaf mould. Grass clippings are fine as long as you mix them with other stuff. Don't leave them as an impenetrable layer which will end up as a grotty mass. And turn it as often as you think about it. All I do is mix it with an old garden fork (with two tines missing)
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Post by Deleted on Feb 1, 2007 12:30:01 GMT
Hi Susie ... I'm still trying to work this one out too. Citrus peel doesn't seem to compost down for me, nor do peanut shells or anything with a similar texture. Also, nasturtium stems seem to take ages, for reasons I can't fathom. Picking up Rosemother's thread in the other place, it does help (quite seriously) if you can get a male member of the household to wee in it occasionally - I keep a receptacle by the back door for this purpose (obviously, no-one who visits knows what it's for or they would flee in horror) ... cheers ...
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Post by Deleted on Feb 1, 2007 17:32:28 GMT
Hi Susie ... I'm still trying to work this one out too. Citrus peel doesn't seem to compost down for me, nor do peanut shells or anything with a similar texture. Also, nasturtium stems seem to take ages, for reasons I can't fathom. Picking up Rosemother's thread in the other place, it does help (quite seriously) if you can get a male member of the household to wee in it occasionally - I keep a receptacle by the back door for this purpose (obviously, no-one who visits knows what it's for or they would flee in horror) ... cheers ... Does it have to be male wee, surely female wee isn't all that different . It's down to diet isn't it? |
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Post by Plocket on Feb 1, 2007 17:44:17 GMT
It should be male wee - female wee has different hormones and stuff - female wee can kill grass!!! ;D
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Post by Deleted on Feb 1, 2007 18:19:52 GMT
It should be male wee - female wee has different hormones and stuff - female wee can kill grass!!! ;D Why doesn't that surprise me? |
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Post by Susie Snowdrop on Feb 1, 2007 18:29:40 GMT
Thanks all for your help ;D tc, you're VERY naughty |
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Post by Plocket on Feb 1, 2007 18:54:04 GMT
It should be male wee - female wee has different hormones and stuff - female wee can kill grass!!! ;D Why doesn't that surprise me?  BTW Susie, if you are going to persuade your OH to pee in your compost bin it shouldn't be done every day. He will be relieved ( ) to know that once a week is adequate!!! ;D |
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Post by roxann57 on Feb 1, 2007 20:46:04 GMT
Susie if the pee thing isn't possible you can always add an organic compost activator which works very well (reckon it must be pee disguised), it does help things get moving.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 1, 2007 21:52:54 GMT
Titchmarsh's Complete Rot is a good activator too, especially if you need to put a lot of grass in the compost.
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Post by Susie Snowdrop on Feb 1, 2007 22:04:28 GMT
Thanks for the tips guys (no pun intended ). I've had numerous offers of males wanting to pee in my bin  and they've even mentioned having a competion to see who can hit it at the furthest distance  |
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Post by Chuckles on Feb 11, 2007 21:21:27 GMT
How's the peeing competion I mean composting going ;D
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Post by Deleted on Feb 11, 2007 21:55:40 GMT
;D If only i could convince OH that peeing in my compost bin was a good idea....he thinks i'm winding him up and refuses to oblige. tut.  |
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Post by roxann57 on Feb 11, 2007 22:04:21 GMT
Apart from the pee, if you can chop up the veg waste into reasonable size pieces, they rot down a lot quicker - its no use chucking in a whole swede that is past it best, it will still be there months later. A garden shredder is great for woody bits and worth putting through a couple of times to get it small enough.
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Post by Barbara on Feb 12, 2007 20:34:43 GMT
and grab any worms you see and chuck them in,
you will find hundreds of baby ones after a while, chewing away. ;D
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Post by Susie Snowdrop on Feb 12, 2007 20:50:15 GMT
I've been collection homeless worms from work but I've still got to convince OH of his duties S x |
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Post by Chuckles on Feb 12, 2007 21:01:53 GMT
;D Can just see you coming out of work with a poly bag of worms Susie ;D ;D
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Post by Susie Snowdrop on Feb 12, 2007 21:04:23 GMT
Well Chuckles, nobody's complained yet ;D ;D
S x
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Post by Chuckles on Feb 12, 2007 21:30:31 GMT
You keep giving them a good home Susie ;D
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Post by Barbara on Feb 13, 2007 19:23:13 GMT
what for gods sake is a HOME-LESS worm. go on !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  |
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