Compost

Discussion in 'Gardening Discussions' started by Clara8002, Sep 29, 2020.

  1. Clara8002

    Clara8002 Gardener

    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2020
    Messages:
    27
    Gender:
    Female
    Occupation:
    Student
    Location:
    Gloucester
    Ratings:
    +63
    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
     
    • Friendly Friendly x 1
    • ARMANDII

      ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

      Joined:
      Jan 12, 2019
      Messages:
      48,096
      Gender:
      Male
      Ratings:
      +100,834
      Hi Clara,

      It all depends on what you want to use it for. Making the "Black Gold" using your Compost Heap takes time and a bit of thought as it can contain disease and weed seeds, plus you would want to add some fertiliser for a reasonable balanced nutrient content. You would also have to sterilise the compost to ensure it's disease free, but some members, I believe, do use their own compost for seed sowing.:love30:
      I, and Shiney, use around 2500 litres of commercial compost, (I think Shiney and Mrs Shiney) actually uses more than me due to their well known Charity Sales. Commercial compost has added nutrients, which should last around 6 weeks before you need to add more, and I use a recipe of 3 parts compost, one part Sand, and one part potting grit which extends the 2500 litre of peat added compost that I use.
      I'm sure there are more knowledgeable and experienced members of the GC Gang:love30: who will know and advocate how to make your own compost for seed sowing etc, but, for me, it's not viable due to the time needed to make it, not being able to make it in the 2500 litre quantity that I need, and also having the added expense of adding sand, grit and nutrients
       
      • Agree Agree x 1
      • Clara8002

        Clara8002 Gardener

        Joined:
        Sep 13, 2020
        Messages:
        27
        Gender:
        Female
        Occupation:
        Student
        Location:
        Gloucester
        Ratings:
        +63
        There is a lot more to it than I thought. Crikey. I think I should stick with buying compost to start.

        Thanks Armandii x
         
      • ARMANDII

        ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

        Joined:
        Jan 12, 2019
        Messages:
        48,096
        Gender:
        Male
        Ratings:
        +100,834
        You're most welcome, Clara. But, there might be a member who might be able to tell you his/her way of producing their own "home grown" recipe for small quantities.
        Most of the GC Gang use their "mature" garden compost as a mulch or soil improver adding a body of detritus and organic material
        My two 1000 litre compost bins when first installed
        upload_2020-9-29_23-12-44.png
        and after:doh::heehee:
        upload_2020-9-29_23-13-42.png
         

        Attached Files:

        • Like Like x 1
        • Clara8002

          Clara8002 Gardener

          Joined:
          Sep 13, 2020
          Messages:
          27
          Gender:
          Female
          Occupation:
          Student
          Location:
          Gloucester
          Ratings:
          +63
          Mine would definitely look like your after photo lol but with probably the wrong stuff in it x
           
          • Like Like x 1
          • Funny Funny x 1
          • CanadianLori

            CanadianLori Total Gardener

            Joined:
            Sep 20, 2015
            Messages:
            9,687
            Occupation:
            Battle Axe
            Location:
            Oakville, Ontario, Canada Zone 5A
            Ratings:
            +30,478
            @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 :fingers crossed:

            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 :)
             
            • Like Like x 3
            • Clara8002

              Clara8002 Gardener

              Joined:
              Sep 13, 2020
              Messages:
              27
              Gender:
              Female
              Occupation:
              Student
              Location:
              Gloucester
              Ratings:
              +63
              Thanks Lori maybe @JR can lend me some of his as he doesn't live that far from me
               
              • Like Like x 3
              • ARMANDII

                ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

                Joined:
                Jan 12, 2019
                Messages:
                48,096
                Gender:
                Male
                Ratings:
                +100,834
                You'll be lucky, Clara:dunno::whistle::nonofinger::heehee:
                 
                • Like Like x 2
                • JR

                  JR Chilled Gardener

                  Joined:
                  Jul 19, 2020
                  Messages:
                  954
                  Gender:
                  Male
                  Occupation:
                  Retired oil magnate
                  Location:
                  Cotswolds
                  Ratings:
                  +2,381
                  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!
                   
                  • Agree Agree x 2
                  • Funny Funny x 1
                  • ARMANDII

                    ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

                    Joined:
                    Jan 12, 2019
                    Messages:
                    48,096
                    Gender:
                    Male
                    Ratings:
                    +100,834
                    :runforhills::runforhills::runforhills::runforhills::runforhills::runforhills::runforhills::runforhills:
                     
                    • Funny Funny x 2
                    • Clare G

                      Clare G Super Gardener

                      Joined:
                      Mar 29, 2017
                      Messages:
                      626
                      Gender:
                      Female
                      Location:
                      London UK
                      Ratings:
                      +1,707
                      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.
                       
                      • Like Like x 2
                      • Agree Agree x 2
                      • john558

                        john558 Total Gardener

                        Joined:
                        Feb 14, 2015
                        Messages:
                        2,359
                        Gender:
                        Male
                        Occupation:
                        Retired
                        Location:
                        Ramsgate, Kent
                        Ratings:
                        +8,190
                        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.
                         
                        • Like Like x 3
                        • Clara8002

                          Clara8002 Gardener

                          Joined:
                          Sep 13, 2020
                          Messages:
                          27
                          Gender:
                          Female
                          Occupation:
                          Student
                          Location:
                          Gloucester
                          Ratings:
                          +63
                          Sorry for the silly question but is red worm normal garden worms?
                           
                        • ARMANDII

                          ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

                          Joined:
                          Jan 12, 2019
                          Messages:
                          48,096
                          Gender:
                          Male
                          Ratings:
                          +100,834
                          Not a silly question, Clara, but a good one........

                          "The worms used for composting are known by various names; brandling, manure, red or tiger worms. These include the species Eisenia foetida, E. andreii and Dendrabaena veneta. Composting worms live in decaying organic matter, whereas earthworms are soil dwellers"

                          [​IMG]
                           

                          Attached Files:

                          • Like Like x 1
                          • Clara8002

                            Clara8002 Gardener

                            Joined:
                            Sep 13, 2020
                            Messages:
                            27
                            Gender:
                            Female
                            Occupation:
                            Student
                            Location:
                            Gloucester
                            Ratings:
                            +63
                            I never knew that every day is a school day :-) thank you @ARMANDII
                             
                            • Like Like x 2
                            Loading...

                            Share This Page

                            1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
                              By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
                              Dismiss Notice