[jazzbyrd]

ok now for another question because i am new to all this !!
When i took over my allotment I in herited a compost bin with compost in it. However there are a heck of a lot of egg shells in it and teabags which haven't quite rotted down yet !! Can I use this compost in my raised beds at this stage? the bulk of the compost looks great and doesn't have an odour.

Jazzbyrd :?

[Trillium]

It's a choice really - the egg shells are fine at any time and will eventually rot down. Initially, they could be better used crushed as slug and pest deterrent. Teabags should have their paper covers slashed first. So you can either use the lot as is, or just sift out those bits and put them into the bin. End result? Not a lot of difference back in or used.

[compostqueen]

I chuck washed out egg shells into my compost and they get broken into little bits and are fine in the compost as slugs don't like gritty compost  The tea bags break down quickly too.  Turn the compost out or shovel some out to check it's "cooked".  It should look brown and crumbly if its ready. A few tea bags not rotted down won't hurt  

[jazzbyrd]

Thanks for your replies ~again very helpful!! *trillium and compost queen*
Is it me or do the actual bags (of teabags) take ages to rot!
I find the bag but no tea!!!! in the compost

Jazzbyrd

[Celtic Eagle]

Shouldn't be a problem they will rot down in the ground anyway. I've seen both in my compost and just dug 'em in.

Could pick 'em out and chuck em on the next heap but unless it's loads and loads I wouldn't bother

[jazzbyrd]

thanks Eagle !! i will use the compost as it is in that case
Jazzbyrd

[compostqueen]

I've been on my plot today messing with me compost.   I've turned out the contents of a pallet bin which has been cooking for about 3 years.  Got some fab compost out of it and loads of soil too which is black and gorgeous as it's had all that compost sitting on top of it for all that time. Moles have been in it too which has helped.  I sieved it and have filled four of those pallet top beds with it. chucked all the woody stuff back in, put the front back on and covered it over again. Worn out but happy