Compost

Ok being a newbie how easy is it to make your own compost? What do I need to buy and what can and can't you put into a compost?

Clara x

 

There is a lot more to it than I thought. Crikey. I think I should stick with buying compost to start.

Thanks Armandii x

 

Mine would definitely look like your after photo lol but with probably the wrong stuff in it x

 

@Clara8002 I buy all of my compost. This year is a bad one, as far as cost goes. Lots of new gardeners, or gardeners spending more time growing because of lockdowns and that in turn drove up demand and of course, the prices rise. Usually at this time of year I'd get the marked down bags of compost at half price. There is nothing out there. It is all scooped up.

Next year will hopefully make things more affordable

I reuse mine as much as I can. Bake it to kill bugs and add eggshells, and other goodies. But I still have to buy lots because I keep expanding my collection of green friends

 

Thanks Lori maybe @JR can lend me some of his as he doesn't live that far from me

 

That might be possible as you live around two miles away Clara,
But Mrs Ewing will raise her eyebrows at me having such a charming young friend lol.
I'd have to clear it with her first because she must be obeyed!

 

Hi Clara, Clare here!

I agree with others that it's not so easy to produce a potting compost from scratch, but please don't let that deter you from having a go at composting, if you're not doing that already. It's a great way of recycling garden and some household waste, and you'll end up with a useful mulch and soil improver for your borders, at the very least. It's also good news for wildlife - you may even find creatures such as slow worms taking up residence inside. And shouldn't cost much to set up - here in my small garden I have two of those green dalek bins, acquired at a discount and delivered to my doorstep from my local council - most run a similar scheme. If you've got a larger garden, you could make bins from old pallets, which cost nothing and are said to produce better results.

My two practical tips are to have at least two bins, which lets the contents of one break down while the other is in use, thus saving a lot of back-breaking exertion when it's time to get the compost out, and to remember always to include enough dry matter or "browns" with the wetter "greens". I keep a pile of brown cardboard packaging near my bins, just to make sure! This RHS guide to composting is a good starting point.

 

Hi Clara, Most councils sell Compost bins at a reduced price, I agree with Clare, two bins are the way to go if you have the room.

Garden waste, non cooked food and cardboard and paper ripped up is what I put in mine, oh and I don't bother to turn it, just keep it damp.

If you have a neighbour who could let you have some Red Worms that would help.
Good luck.

 

Sorry for the silly question but is red worm normal garden worms?

 

I never knew that every day is a school day :-) thank you @ARMANDII