[chuckmad]

Does anyone know how to make a compost heap?

[Aunt Sally]

You make a good start here:

http://www.allotment-garden.org/articles2/How_To_Build_a_Compost_Bin.php

[ex-cavator]

That link gives some good ideas for making a bin, but what about the compost itself? What should, or shouldn't be included? I've got loads of weeds & grass on my own plot, but should I be putting other things in as well to provide the right 'mix', or is it OK to have just loads of the same thing? Should I exclude perennial weeds, and things that have gone to seed? What about things like old potatoes I'm digging up from my plot? Am I at risk of passing on diseases to future crops if I include diseased items? The link given says we should turn the compost - but how often? Presumably if it's too often I'll just lose the heat out of the pile that is required for the composting process.

Apologies if this is just too many questions, but there's no suchthing as a daft qestion if you don't know the answer - right? 

[Aunt Sally]

I don't think they have missed anything out here:

http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/organicgardening/compost_pf.php

Composting perennial weeds is not a good idea.

[jamima]

Hi , i dont put any weeds in mine , and not much grass as it makes it too wet, put all your veg peeling except toms and potatoes or you will end up with unwanted  things all over your allotment ,after you have a few layers get a compost accelerator or spread shreeded newspaper and a layer of soil on the top then carry on with filling it up, hope that helps.

[JayG]

Aunty is right; the article in her link is comprehensive with a capital "C" ! 

Don't think it mentions that moss is very resistant to composting; it will rot down in the end but could take a couple of years.

Bamboo thinnings (even quite thin ones) I find very rot-resistant, and sweet corn stems need to be chopped or shredded otherwise they are very slow.

To help mixing compost in daleks I use the tool with collapsible "V"-shaped wings at the end; saves putting your back out trying to do it with a fork or removing the contents and putting it all back in again! 

[viettaclark]

To help mixing compost in daleks I use the tool with collapsible "V"-shaped wings at the end; saves putting your back out trying to do it with a fork or removing the contents and putting it all back in again! 
[/quote]


What tool?? I want one!!!

[Yorkie]

I got one from Harrod Horticultural (click the shop link near the top of the page).

Must say it either takes the skin off my knuckles as I try to operate it (hands knocking against rim of dalek), or the wings don't open so it's just prodding holes in the compost.

But others I know have more success 

[JayG]

What tool?? I want one!!!

Oh lummy! I've actually got two of them; one of them is all plastic and one all metal. The plastic one actually works better because it's got a "T" handle which gives a better grip (the handle of the metal one is just the curved top of the shaft and does tend to slip from my grasp!  )

Both were presents from friends (neither of whom shop at Harrods I suspect!)

[Yorkie]

Mine's metal and has a T handle 

And it's not the Oxford Street Harrods, in case anyone was wondering !!

[viettaclark]

Well I've just treated myself to one because I'm fed up with tipping it all out of the dalek, mixing it about and bunging it back in again.
Hopefully it will do the business.....
Yes dear...I really DID want a compost aerator for our 20th Anniversary pressie....(sad or what?....)

[JayG]

  

(Just remember to wear gloves if you've got one like Yorkie's!)