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Post by roofgardener on Nov 29, 2015 11:36:57 GMT
Last weekend, My Sister went on an expedition to the Hidden Orchard in the Top Pasture (having donned appropriate protective clothing, and accompanied by a team of Sherpa's, and with appropriate technical support). She discovered the Forgotten Compost Bin of Ur. This created much excitement, as we are in the process of clearing the Upper Orchard and are producing lots of organic waste (mostly grasses and misc. weeds, and it would be handy to be able to compost some of it). Here is the question: What can be put into a compost bin ? In particular, should we put Ivy into it ? (we have dug up LOTS of Ivy).  (on final approach to the Top Pasture) |
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Post by Lou78W on Nov 29, 2015 12:04:34 GMT
Any vegetative matter can be composted; tough stems such as your ivy would be better chopped up, and mixed with finer materials such as grass. Only "no no" is raw or cooked foodstuffs. Eggshells are good as are tea bags, but scrunch them up and tear the tea bags; coffee grounds can be mixed in too....
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Post by daitheplant on Nov 29, 2015 19:36:39 GMT
Sorry to contradict Lou, but I would advise AGAINST putting pernicuous weeds in the compost bin.
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Post by roofgardener on Nov 29, 2015 19:51:08 GMT
Could you expand on that daitheplant ? I'm assuming there is a danger that the compost could act as a "seed spreader" ? |
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Post by daitheplant on Nov 29, 2015 20:03:52 GMT
Not just seeds, Roofy, but also rooted plantlets. Ivy, Docks, Nettle roots, Thistles and the likes, can all produce new plants at the drop of a hat. Bind weed is also a no no. Uncooked vegetable waste, is fine but under no circumstance put cooked food or meat products in the bin.
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Post by Lou78W on Nov 29, 2015 20:05:13 GMT
Could you expand on that daitheplant ? I'm assuming there is a danger that the compost could act as a "seed spreader" ? The compost should hopefully get hot enough to kill off any weed seeds that MAY get into it. I did not say to put any pernicious weeds into the heap .... Its impossible to omit everything that would re-seed....or re-grow, but most unwanted plants should be easily recognisable as seedlings, and hoed/picked out. Compost contents are an "immovable feast". Not everyone agrees with mixes....I've just given you a general mix. You will learn by experience. Please don't let this subject move into an argument on what is good and what's not. There's no perfect answer  |
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Post by SueA on Nov 29, 2015 21:24:24 GMT
If in doubt - chuck it in the council bin!  |
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Post by roofgardener on Nov 30, 2015 12:24:34 GMT
LOL.. thats the problem. We've filled it up, and there is only one (perhaps two) more collections, and then that's it until February.
We have LOTS more undergrowth to hack down ... perhaps I'd be better bagging it and taking it to the Council tip ?
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Post by daitheplant on Nov 30, 2015 20:19:51 GMT
Could you expand on that daitheplant ? I'm assuming there is a danger that the compost could act as a "seed spreader" ? The compost should hopefully get hot enough to kill off any weed seeds that MAY get into it. I did not say to put any pernicious weeds into the heap .... Its impossible to omit everything that would re-seed....or re-grow, but most unwanted plants should be easily recognisable as seedlings, and hoed/picked out. Compost contents are an "immovable feast". Not everyone agrees with mixes....I've just given you a general mix. You will learn by experience. Please don't let this subject move into an argument on what is good and what's not. There's no perfect answer Ivy is a pernicious weed, and you suggested he chop it up and put it in the compost. And yes, it IS possible to omit everything that will set seed or re-grow. It is quite easy really, if you KNOW your weeds. Anything that is pernicious or you are unsure about you do as Sue suggests, and put them in the council bin. Everything else is compost fodder. |
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Post by roofgardener on Nov 30, 2015 20:55:28 GMT
Well, it seems that even experts disagree. I suspect that composting is NOT as straightforwards as it may seem. (stick it in the bin, and beat it with a stick). I think I'm going to be a bit cautious, and avoid putting the weed-type stuff in until I've had a chance to learn a little more. Perhaps the properly structured and fed compost bin WILL heat up, and kill seeds et al, but I'm not sure that the Compost Bin of Ur comes into that category Does the good Doctor Hesseyon do a "Compost Expert" book ? |
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Post by SueA on Nov 30, 2015 21:29:39 GMT
If you've got lots of varied weeds & undergrowth then you might as well take the bulk of it to the tip Roofy, we took all the brambles we cut down to the council green waste & I'd also take anything which is diseased or really pest infested. In theory compost should heat up enough to kill weeds & seeds if you leave it to 'stew' long enough & have got the mix of wet & dry ingredients exactly right but if you're not used to composting then you might as well err on the safe side. Ideally you need at least 2 compost bins, one which you are filling up & one which is full & just sitting there maturing for about a year, lots of people have 3 - one to fill, one maturing, one to use. I have 2 plastic 'dalek' types - go on you know you want one Roofy , they work best on a soil base so worms etc. can get in with a few twigs etc. for air circulation in the bottom then layers of old compost, past it plants, chopped up prunings, veg. peelings, odd bit of woodash & leafmould which I make first in a black plastic bin bag. |
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Post by Andrew on Nov 30, 2015 21:36:04 GMT
I don't think everyone will completely agree on composting roofgardener. My compost bin mostly see's grass, fallen fruit and leaves, with a sprinkling of shredded paper, or used compost to help layer it. I tend to add a few worms now and then as it builds up too, as my bins sat on concrete slabs, rather than on the bare ground. Weeds tend to go in the council bin, mainly for the reason that I can't be sure the bin will get hot enough to kills the seeds. I wouldn't add anything with thorns either, such as hawthorn hedge clippings, but again I guess that's a personal preference. I did give my bin a bit of a stir last weekend, and the mild autumn has definitely contributed to the well rotting mix that I unearthed underneath the surface. |
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Post by daitheplant on Nov 30, 2015 21:39:32 GMT
I have to say, I am a tradionalist. I want 3 x 1 metre cubed wooden compost bins. The "dalek" type bin doesn`t let in air which is vital to composting.
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Post by SueA on Nov 30, 2015 21:46:20 GMT
I've always used dalek type bins Dai & they work fine for me, probably take a bit longer to mature but I get lovely compost out them.
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Post by Cherry on Dec 1, 2015 8:53:54 GMT
The Daleks are good and easy to buy. I have two - one used every day and one letting the compost mature. I also have a heap on the farm for perennial weeds, but it is handy having space for this. Kitchen peelings and waste are emptied every day into the Dalek and the compost is beautiful.
My daughter has the same bin on the Magnetic Island house. It houses some unmentionable large insects which need to killed.
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