[woodburner]

I know about the mix of green and brown, so I think my main problem is that the heap was too dry. It looks fine in some patches (it's a big bin, 4ft or so square) but most of it is not far gone enough to put on the beds. I haven't turned it yet but thought it would be further on than it is even so.
The bits that are good I'm pretty sure are thanks to the worms, lumbica rubrus or somesuch, thin red ones anyway, and maybe a brandling or two, that and the fact that there are patches of grass clippings that aren't a squidgy mass like you get in a heap of that only, suggests that it never did heat up. I would really like to get it hot to kill off any weedseeds.
Will turning and a good soaking be enough? Or do I need to cut a load of nettles to mix in? (I've still got plenty at the lottie)? Would nettle and yarrow 'tea' really help? (Shortage of dandelions and the other ingredients, so have to stick to the 'essentials'.) Should I try and seperate the decomposed stuff from the undecomposed?

[richyrich7]

I'd be tempted to give the whole lot a good turn over and a good watering with pee in it  

[Jen]

me thinks we've been here before   :roll:  :roll:  :roll:  

[lincspoacher]

If yo uwant to spend money, turn it out and rebuild it in 4 inch layers with a sprinkling  of Garotta Compost Maker in between each layer. That'll sort it out.........or a load of fresh cut grass

[woodburner]

Thanks for the suggestions.
I don't really want to throw money at the problem but will buy commercial activator if I can't get it going before winter officially arrives.
The pee suggestion is more practical for you than me

As the consensus seems to be to use some sort of activator as well as turning (which I have now done) I think I'll try making some nettle tea, maybe chuck some comfrey in too.

[compostqueen]

nettles, comfrey, weed or grass mowings. No need to fork out for anything.  I think comfrey works right well  

[noshed]

Comfrey is the business