[Rowan]

Hi All

Checked on my compost pile and although it does seem to be rotting down it seems really very dry. I put grass cuttings, cardboard, kitchen waste and allotment waste on the pile. And have a second pile with mainly weeds rotting down.

Neither have produced anything like compost yet and its been 6 months since i started the piles. Should i make the heaps wetter? if yes, then how? I do have some nettles downing in a bucket of water, i was going to use it to fertislise my beds, but i suppose i could add the rotten nettles and water tot he heap.

Any tips appreciated.

[crh75]

Add the rotten nettles but don't waste the liquid.
I would try turning the compost and pour on some water if it is really dry.
Also try and combine your two heaps, the soil that is attached to the weeds will help.

[JayG]

You seem to have a pretty good mixture of ingredients in at least one of your heaps, although dryness will certainly slow down decomposition, as will over-compaction and lack of nitrogen to feed the bacteria.

Wouldn't have thought there was much need for liquid-feeding your beds at this time of year; I would tip the nettle brew on the heap and give it a good mix and aeration. (If you don't want to use that, human pee or a sprinkling of ammonium sulphate will do the job)

[mumofstig]

You seem to have a pretty good mixture of ingredients in at least one of your heaps, although dryness will certainly slow down decomposition, as will over-compaction and lack of nitrogen to feed the bacteria.

Wouldn't have thought there was much need for liquid-feeding your beds at this time of year; I would tip the nettle brew on the heap and give it a good mix and aeration. (If you don't want to use that, human pee or a sprinkling of ammonium sulphate will do the job)

You will probably find some usable stuff at the bottom
Dig it out, use the good stuff and turn the rest adding some pee, would also cover the top now, so it can keep a bit warm and leave the rest till spring

[noshed]

Comfrey leaves work well too. Give it a good stir up if you can.

[LeadFarmer]

Hi All

Checked on my compost pile and although it does seem to be rotting down it seems really very dry. I put grass cuttings, cardboard, kitchen waste and allotment waste on the pile. And have a second pile with mainly weeds rotting down.

Neither have produced anything like compost yet and its been 6 months since i started the piles. Should i make the heaps wetter? if yes, then how? I do have some nettles downing in a bucket of water, i was going to use it to fertislise my beds, but i suppose i could add the rotten nettles and water tot he heap.

Any tips appreciated.

Turn it over completely with a garden fork to let air in, pour some water or urine onto it as you do, to make it slightly damp. As you turn it, mix in any new stuff to compost. Cover with a piece of carpet to insulate and keep rain off. Then leave it alone.

The problem with most garden composts is that we arent  able to add stuff in sufficient quantities. If you could add loads of fresh kitchen waste, grass cuttings etc at once, then the compost would get really hot and would be ready in just a few weeks. Usually though, we are only able to add stuff in small amounts, so it never reaches the right temperature, and so might take 12 months.

[Rowan]

thanks for the good advice!

i did add a little pee when i checked i last. I have made a compost bin out of wood, it does get full to the top, but then when it rots down it only fills half the space, coudl this be why its drying out? i can keep the top covered with black plastic if it helps.

Also the bottom is just onto the soil, us this letting the moisture out? if so what should i put on the bottom to stop this?

I'll give it a good turn over this weekend.

[Yorkie]

Compost always decreases loads in size when it starts rotting, that's normal.

And leave it on the soil so the worms can get in and do their job.

A cover is often recommended to keep warmth in so just make sure it's moist before you do cover it.